So, here's the situation:
My partner and I know we are going to be in our current location for 18 months to 2 years more but almost certainly will need to move then. Neither of us can drive due to (different) medical conditions. My medical condition also means that I am a lot more physically vulnerable than other women. Partner works from home by phone and computer, and usually travels 1-3 weeks per month on business. I work very long, very strange hours that make using public transit for commuting impossible and will need to continue to do so. We currently live in an overpriced, fancy one bedroom apartment with a half wall separating main and bedroom, selected purely because it is walking distance from my work. We are expecting our first baby, and are clear that we need to move in order to give partner the ability to work if baby is crying, and to create more space in the house for the baby and helpers.
The options are:
2 bedroom apartment in same complex as current one. Pluses: 24 hour security on site, less hassle to move, they handle maintenance, someone in the office to pick up mail and packages, a safer walk, shiny & pretty. Minuses: hate the management, no equity, costs 50% more than other 2br apartments in area (which are not options for us because of transportation).
buying a 3br 2br house in a modest neighborhood. Pluses: Getting equity, an extra room, more autonomy, less slick fanciness, shorter commute. Minuses: A less safe walk, need to do some renovations before we could move in, having to deal with maintenance, no immediately available help for me if I am alone in the house, a harder move, more hassle if it is difficult to sell.
We have plugged the financial decision into various calculators, and the house always wins but sometimes not by much, depending on the assumptions we make. My partner feels very worried about my safety and the potential hassles of managing a house and all that comes with it.
Thoughts, anyone?
My partner and I know we are going to be in our current location for 18 months to 2 years more but almost certainly will need to move then. Neither of us can drive due to (different) medical conditions. My medical condition also means that I am a lot more physically vulnerable than other women. Partner works from home by phone and computer, and usually travels 1-3 weeks per month on business. I work very long, very strange hours that make using public transit for commuting impossible and will need to continue to do so. We currently live in an overpriced, fancy one bedroom apartment with a half wall separating main and bedroom, selected purely because it is walking distance from my work. We are expecting our first baby, and are clear that we need to move in order to give partner the ability to work if baby is crying, and to create more space in the house for the baby and helpers.
The options are:
2 bedroom apartment in same complex as current one. Pluses: 24 hour security on site, less hassle to move, they handle maintenance, someone in the office to pick up mail and packages, a safer walk, shiny & pretty. Minuses: hate the management, no equity, costs 50% more than other 2br apartments in area (which are not options for us because of transportation).
buying a 3br 2br house in a modest neighborhood. Pluses: Getting equity, an extra room, more autonomy, less slick fanciness, shorter commute. Minuses: A less safe walk, need to do some renovations before we could move in, having to deal with maintenance, no immediately available help for me if I am alone in the house, a harder move, more hassle if it is difficult to sell.
We have plugged the financial decision into various calculators, and the house always wins but sometimes not by much, depending on the assumptions we make. My partner feels very worried about my safety and the potential hassles of managing a house and all that comes with it.
Thoughts, anyone?
