We visited two side by side town homes, and then re-visited The Lodge, and I am not a step closer to figuring out what the right place is for us. There's one town home left in the running, and then of course The Lodge, where we saw a brand new floor plan that I love even more than the original we saw. I'd still like to keep looking, but I need help first.
Here's the rundown:
Chic Apartment Complex
We love the new-ness of The Lodge. It's modern, it has tall ceilings, we can paint, it's within our price range, and it has almost everything we want (plus it's never been lived in before!!). It's also in the perfect location for us. Problem? Its just enough space for us now and offers NO room to grow. I was hoping for some extra space for Tom to play his stupid video games in and Aiden to have his own playroom. Is that necessary? Probably not. Also lacking in these fancy apartments? A garage, and most importantly - A YARD! We have a growing boy who, in a years time, will probably be dying to play outside. If we had a yard, he could have a playground and a pool and all of those fun kid things.
Pleasantville Townhouse
It doesn't get much more family-friendly than this. Sidewalk lined neighborhoods, a great backyard with a deck and a two car garage. Also a huge bonus? The FOUR bedrooms. That's more space than we even know what to do with! So where's the hang-up here? Well, price is a huge factor. It's about $100 over our comfort zone, plus the utilities would probably be pretty rough considering the size of the place (however if I go the townhouse route I can always keep looking for a more budget-friendly place). The location also isn't ideal, although it's not bad either. And lastly, it's definitely been lived in. And yes, Tom and I are suckers for some fresh drywall and never-used bathtubs.
So folks, I need your opinions here. Do you think we should go for the cool new apartment despite the fact that it's not 100% perfect? Or should we be a bit more practical, and, for the same amount of money, get something that has everything we want?
Let's hear it!
Is there a parking lot for the Lodge atleast?
ReplyDeleteId say the Lodge unless you are planning on this being pretty long term, then go with the town house.
There's one underground spot and one spot in the parking lot.
ReplyDeleteWe'd like this new place to last us the next 2-3 years.
I think the lodge. The townhouse is way more space than you need.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the lodge. Here's why:
ReplyDelete1) Don't get me wrong. There are amazing features about the townhouse, and of course it would be the nicer option to go with.. But, you want to stay comfortable money wise! Doing this you can save up a little money each month in hopes of comfortably affording a bigger place in the next 2/3 years such as the townhouse.
2) Four bedrooms will probably be too much space. TIt's still so early in your life. Once you get comfortable in 4 bedrooms, it'll become too easy to fill THAT space and find reasons why you need more & more space. This will lead to you most likely finding the need to "add another room" everytime you move. This will become very expensive!
3) Although it would be nice, Tom doesn't necessarily need a room to play his games, maybe make a little area for him in the corner of the bedroom?
4) As far as a play room goes, At Aiden's age he doesnt need THAT much room, as nice as that would be as well. For him, you could always have one area of his bedroom sleep area, and creatively use another section of the room portioned off as a 'play zone'. I'm sure he'd love it just the same. Also, 2-3 years from now he wont need a changing table rocking chair/or any of that any more. That will free up a lot of space in his room for his potential play area.
Is there storing space at the Lodge? I'd recommend putting things you dont use on a daily basis in a rubbermaid & labeling it and storing it.
Hope this helped a little.
-Brittney
plus the extra money you don't spend by getting the lodge instead of the townhouse could be used to buy Aiden stuff.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I DO see what you're saying, however I can't say I totally agree.
ReplyDelete1. We've actually found a townhouse that's cheaper than the lodge. Utilities would be a bit more because it's a lot more space, but that would probably even the two places out.
2. Four bedrooms IS more than we were looking for, however I can't complain about extra space. I don't necessarily think we'll "fill" that extra space, but we will find a way to use it. I don't see us needing to move into a larger and larger space just because of it, either.
3. Tom having a place of his own to play video games is actually relatively important. He plays 2 x week for up to two hours, and it's always while Aiden and I are trying to sleep. He talks into his headphones so loud that he wakes both of us up. Yeah, I wish he would just give up the video games altogether, but that's his hobby and it would be mean of me to make him do that. So if we could stick him in a seperate room, we'd all be happier for it.
4. I think you'll be shocked at how much room a baby takes up. He has toys in every room of the house, and will only be acquiring more as time goes on. His bedroom isn't large enough to have sectioned off 'areas' for everything, and isn't even large enough to hold the exersaucer, walker, jumperoo, play table, toy box, etc. His changing table is a dresser, so that won't be going anywhere. The only thing we have now that we eventually won't need is his rocking chair. I would love to have a space where I can have all of toys and get them out of the rest of the house if I'd like.
With 3 bedrooms we were originally thinking Tom and Aiden would share a playroom. We might still do that with that four and just have a guest bedroom or something. Again...too much space is perfectly fine with me!
I do still really like the Lodge though. I just worry that we'll have some of the same space issues there that we have here. And yes, it does have a storage locker in the same spot as your parking spot. We already have quite a few bins in our storage space now.
My opinion is that you're a young family and most young families start out w/ a "starter home/apartment." I would worry about getting a 4 bedroom house later on in your life. I know many families of 5 that only have 3 bedrooms. I think having less space in your house brings your family together, as compared to a huge place in which there is more room to go off and do your own things.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Yeah I guess the town house would be the better option for how you guys like to keep your things, then. :)
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking it's a lot of space because my sister hasn't needed all that space with her two boys, and neither has my brother with his little girl. Not even now at 2, 3, and 4 years old. Then again, it sounds like you have a lot more stuff than both of them did, though!
So yeah the town house would probably be better for you guys! Plus you can't go wrong with having a yard.. Especially if the cost is less or equal to, then why not? That was my biggest concern.
-Brittney
...and 3 bedrooms would be perfect, because it also leaves room for expanding the family if necessary :)
ReplyDeleteI say get the lodge or the cheaper townhouse that's 3 bedrooms, but not the 4 bedroom one...it's too expensive
ReplyDelete