Jonathan's Universe

Posts Tagged ‘apartment’

I decided I’m going to craft a 3D representation of my apartment, so I can easily visualize how much space I am going to have with furniture and decide what I need and what I can fit. I’m using google sketchup, simply because I can.

Here is a work in progress. Included is a stock model of a love seat. I need to get a measurement of my parent’s loveseat to simulate space usage better. Also, I didn’t get measurements of my room yet, which would be to the left.

Immediately to your right when you walk in as a closet. In the kitchen (which is the room to the right)  the blocked off portion represents what space is not available because of the kitchen appliances.

I just added a new plugin; wanted to see how it works. At the end of every post it links you to possibly similar posts. Honestly, I kind of hate the idea (in a good way) because I find myself opening like 20 tabs linking to a trail of “related posts” on other websites. I hope you will do the same.

Oh yes, and Christmas passed. Bah Humbug, I still can’t move in to my apartment. If it’s not ready by tomorrow, I’m going to throw a temper tantrum. In their main office if i have to.

As for presents, I’m satsified. I honestly didn’t expect nor want much. We’re all going through some rough times, so I wouldn’t dare press my luck. I got a few old xbox games (some I know are great, like Psy-Ops and Half life 2) also, a gamer chair.. which is basically this little chair with speakers in the headrest, and you can send audio wireless from your TV/device to the chair. It’s pretty nifty and comfortable too. I’m just afraid I’m going to plop on it wrong and rip the fabric.

So if I don’t find a letter in my mailbox by like 1400, I’m taking the trolly to Philadelphia and I’m going to make a scene at their office. As annoying and possibly immature as this would be, I have little choice now. This situation has become urgent as I’m running out of time and simply I’m paying rent on a unit I cannot stay in, so all my money is going to waste.

So, I put money down on that apartment. I put the rest of the down payment tomorrow when I sign the lease. I’m excited to move in, but my parents are, expectedly, a wreck. I did some research and when I called the energy provider, they told me the average bill for my unit is $74.25 a month and a $150 deposit. I have no idea if that includes gas (heating) — or just electricity. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow..

Also, one of my coworkers happened to have a microwave that he doesn’t need. Guess who’s getting a free microwave?

Besides that, I saw Day the Earth Stood Still on sunday. I’m not sure how I feel. I wasn’t disappointed, but I wasn’t amazed either. It was a modernized version of the one made in 1951. The premise was the same (humans are violent and killing earth, aliens come to save the earth) however the story was different. Instead of Klaatu staying with a bunch of people, he’s constantly on the run a scientist. Also, Klaatu is always known as Klaatu, never as “Mr. Carpenter.” Also Gort is named by the government/military (as an acronym) while the the 1951 one had Gort as the creature’s actual name. Meh.. I’d say it’s a rental, not a movie theater watch.

So, I’m about to get a new apartment. Kind of excited. It’s a small place and it’s closer to my office than my house now. Here is an image I quickly drew up. It’s not at all to scale since I did it in a hurried fashion. And yes, I know approximation is spelled with two Ps.

As you can see, you walk into the common area with the bed room to the left, and a kitchen to the right. The one thing I’m not too horrible pleased about is that in order to get to the bathroom, you have to go through the bedroom. This may or may not be  a problem with overnight guests. We’ll see I guess.

As far as the price goes, it is a little pricey, especially considering my budget and circumstances surrounding the move. For a two year lease, it’s $590 a month. For a one year lease it’s $660 a month. Also, I would of course have to pay for gas and electric… as well as interent. Cable Television would probably be put in a backburner (not like I have time for TV anyway).

Here’s the sucky part. I have a cat. They want either one full month extra upfront plus $25 per month OR one half month extra upfront plus $50 per month for having my cat live with me. That sucks. A lot. Also, I have to pay first/last/security deposit upfront. The guy said that since I have no credit at all, he MIGHT be able to waive the last month upfront costs. I wrote a quick program that helps me calculate the total costs.

Here is possible costs for a one year lease:

Upfront values 3.5 months upfront and $50 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 2,310.00
Total Cost is USD 8,520.00
Grand Total is USD 10,830.00

Upfront values 4 months upfront and $25 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 2,640.00
Total Cost is USD 8,220.00
Grand Total is USD 10,860.00

As you can see, for a one year lease it would be cheaper (by $30) to pay more monthly than upfront.

Here is the one year lease with the last month upfront payment waived:

Upfront values 2.5 months upfront and $50 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 1,650.00
Total Cost is USD 8,520.00
Grand Total is USD 10,170.00

Upfront values 3 months upfront and $25 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 1,980.00
Total Cost is USD 8,220.00
Grand Total is USD 10,200.00

And two year lease:

Upfront values 3.5 months upfront and $50 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 2,065.00
Total Cost is USD 15,360.00
Grand Total is USD 17,425.00

Upfront values 4 months upfront and $25 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 2,360.00
Total Cost is USD 14,760.00
Grand Total is USD 17,120.00
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Upfront values 2.5 months upfront and $50 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 1,475.00
Total Cost is USD 15,360.00
Grand Total is USD 16,835.00

Upfront values 3 months upfront and $25 animal fee.
Cost upfront is: USD 1,770.00
Total Cost is USD 14,760.00
Grand Total is USD 16,530.00

As you can see with a two year lease, it’d be cheaper to pay less monthly, by a considerable amount ($300). So ultimately, I think I’m going to have to choose the 2 year $25 monthly plan. Oh Boy.