'soft' rental market?

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

So I rent in Davis not far from the Rosebud (I like it - but I never expect 'cuisine' - it's just a diner. Never had anything but good service. I do miss the restaurant that used to be behind Rosebud - what a great secret spot that was for a meal or a drink).

Anyway... my lease is coming up in a month and I am prepping for the go-round with my cash-in 'elderly' landlord (she regales me of how hard her life is and then hits me up with absurd rent increases - or doesn't remember what we agreed upon and then jacks it).


So I am paying $1200. for a 1 bedroom (first floor - no porch - no parking) - though she claims it is a 2 bedroom. It is a 2 bedroom only if you get a curtain for the arched living room entrance or a door for the middle/dining room and don't mind someone walking through your bedroom to get to the true bedroom. In other words, this is a 1 bedroom with a dining room that can't be used as a bedroom.

I've been here a long time and have put up with a lot (or rather - have tolerated a lot of not fixing up). On the plus side, it's close to everything, my cat can go out, I have a washer/dryer hookup. A couple of years ago I was going to move but she offered to redo the bathroom and did, so I stayed. Last year I was going to move but she offered to repaint the place, and did: bringing in this painter SWAT team (who pinched my espresso pot) but ok. So here we are again. The kitchen is old. OLD I tell you! I mean linoleum peeling under foot old. No cabinets (though there is a pantry). Old sink. Mainly the floor bugs me.

What I don't know: is this market rate? I've been in some rehabbed places around here and f@@#$ing hell - I feel like a sucker for putting up with this. Inertia.

So I've been perusing the CL apt ads but I can't tell condition. Do you have a $1200. 4 room place in great condition? Maybe I can get them to whittle it down to $1000? Or do I go 'round again and just deal with the state of things.

group mind....... it's always reliable ;-)

Comments

[ellf.livejournal.com]

I live off of Mass Ave, within walking distance of Davis, and pay $1800 for a one bedroom with a dining room, living room, large and relatively well-kept kitchen, and a garaged parking space.

$1200 does not strike me as unreasonable for a less-than-ideal apartment.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Woah! You're paying so much! Though I don't know how much a non-shared garage usually costs to rent (our last place had one, but the whole house shared it and we didn't use it for cars. Maybe that's what you're paying for?

[ellf.livejournal.com]

We do pay a decent bit, but the apartment is extremely nice, and in great shape. Also, it's a shared rent between myself and my girlfriend, which helps a bit.