BF/Apartment Search ::vent:: Long-ish

bawidget

I'll cut right to the chase. BF and I are looking at what's available apartmentwise in the new city we're moving  to in June and we just can't seem to agree

We have basic guidelines: 
- Dishwasher
- 2 Bedroom
- Cat Friendly
- we even agree on neighborhoods.
- $1200 a month

That's where it all ends. I tend to go for bright apartments in historical buildings. He likes places above restaurants and bars, which freaks me out due to the potential for rats/mice, roaches, and bad smells. Needless to say he poo-poos a lot of the places I find that fit all of our criteria and keeps showing me apartments that are nice and match the criteria but the buildings aren't what I would pick. I've told him I don't want to live above anywhere that serves food. I've worked in restaurants and it's a bad scene.
 
This happened the first time we were looking for a place too. I did a bunch of online research about neighborhoods, found us a realtor, set all the appointments....and got pushback the whole time. Even though he told me to take the reigns. Luckily we agreed on a place that was $250 over our monthly rent budget that we ended up hating due to crap building managers and lack of amenities. I don't want that to happen again and I just know this move is going to be way more frustrating for me than last time as it's due to job relocation (his). I just feel like I'll do a lot of work to find a good place and we'll end up with something we end up not liking again. Again just venting. I know I probably sound like a crazy OCD person.

Place he found: Very nice actually...but above an Indian restaurant grrr
http://hotpads.com/search/listingImages/1xduwmu0p3mr9#nsimage2

Place I found: He hates the kitchen layout...
http://hotpads.com/search#lat=41.811763358431016&lon=-71.43739700317383&zoom=19&previewId=bt4vgqm4ys9n&previewType=listing&detailsOpen=true&listingTypes=rental,sublet,room,corporate&bedrooms=2,3,4,5,6,7,8plus&highPrice=1200&includeVaguePricing=false&keywords=Armory&resultsPerQuad=24

tafft1

I think from what I am seeing and reading while the basic guildines are god to have some compromosie may need to happen. Housing is not fun to find , and even harder to find something "perfect" especially if only renting. It may be best to start from scratch and decide the best route together and pros and cons of each and decide which cons are doable and which are just preferences. Good luck

bawidget

Thanks Tafft! For the most part we agree but you're right, compromise is key. We're going to make lists of preferences and needs and compare/contrast. We've been saying we'll do that forever but haven't actually gotten around to it yet.
Look at that! One reply was all I needed to set a new goal. I think I'lm going to stop looking at places online for now too. Like you said, start clean . Thanks again!

tafft1

Trust me , my husband and I completely understand the frustration , as we were searching for MONTHS for a new place than where we live , and unfortunately for us it came down to us staying where we are at because we just couldn't find anything resonable close within the must haves ( mostly budget). It's  very stressful thing to go through but don't give up , just remind yourself it dosen't have to be forevever Hope you guys find something awesome though !

ravenray

GL!  I would also recommend trying to compromise.  What are his must haves and what are yours?  Why does he want to live above a restaurant?  Talk to him about it.  Why do you want to live in historical buildings?  Talk to him about it.  GL

polkadot111

Why does he want to live above a resturant THAT badly? I don't know, I honestly really love the one above the resturant. Even though it is above a resturant, it's a very nice looking place for under your budget/month! 

bawidget

I agree his choice is nice. He kind of has this dream of having it be like HIMYM and living above a neighborhood restaurant. It's actually cute now that I'm thinking about it.

Raven:
So far our only must haves are the ones mentioned above.
- Dishwasher
- 2 Bedroom
- Cat Friendly
- neighborhood (armory or Elmwood.
- $1200 a month

We're working on some more. I don't need to live in a historical building but that's mostly what's available in the Armory Neighborhood that we both like.

Thanks for the responses all.

orangehills

My friend lives in Providence, and before they bought their house they lived in an apartment that was a house split into three like that one. They loved it!! It was so cute and more homey, but still close to so many places that it had a bit of that city feel. I saw it and loved it too- I wanted to live in it actually. I agree that living above a resturaunt could potentially be loud and smelly... I'd research some more. Hopefully you guys find something great!