natwilliams Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I am looking for some female opinions here. For a guy about to turn 30 with a couple years left in him to play the field, what is better: A nice house in a great area with 1 cool male roommate A not bad house in a slightly sketchy area with no roommates Keep in mind I will own in either of these scenarios. In the second scenario, I will be MUCH better off financially and able to spend on nice dining, drinks, clothes, car, and trips. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
writergal Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Do a roommate compatibility test like Joey from Friends. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mammasita Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 What do you mean by slightly sketchy? If you mean you can't go outside after dark because of stray bullets then suck up the roommate scenario. Slightly sketchy can be pretty subjective. Link to post Share on other sites
Author natwilliams Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 The sketchy area is just a little less prestigous and has some crime. But there's also a lot of cool friends of mine here and there in that neighborhood. It's honestly fine at night, just not as 100% as the other neighborhood. Link to post Share on other sites
preraph Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Unless you just like having someone around, I think it's always better to have your own place. I still fondly remember my first shack. It's about personal growth and what you learn about yourself that's important about living alone. Link to post Share on other sites
mammasita Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 In that case, I say go with your own place. I think you'll be much better off and happier. Roommates are a pain, if you get lonely - get a dog. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Standard-Fare Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 My advice is -- don't make a major financial decision that will affect your life for many years based on how women may perceive it? Take women out of the equation and think realistically about what your day-to-day life would be like in Option A vs. Option B. And also other hugely important real estate factors, like potential future value, etc. etc. Seriously, try as much as you can to remove the "Which is cooler to chicks?" factor and make a smart decision here. It's a big one. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author natwilliams Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Are you sure? I like being really central though. The good area is lovely and easy to walk everywhere. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 The three rules of buying a house (according to a realtor) are: locationlocationlocation The fourth rule is to buy the worst house in the best area, not the reverse. Why even buy a house now? Wait until you are married and then buy something you both like. Now you can live in a nice apartment, alone, in a nice neighborhood and save/invest for later. Link to post Share on other sites
Smilecharmer Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Never be house poor. Go with two and have money to invest, and maintain your lifestyle. Plus, roommates, unless you have lived with them before and know their lifestyle, can be a pain in the booty. Link to post Share on other sites
pyramid Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I'm mid-30s. A guy with a roommate is pretty much a deal breaker for me. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ASG Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I'm mid-30s. A guy with a roommate is pretty much a deal breaker for me. That's because you don't live in London! Everyone has roomates here and you can't avoid them! Link to post Share on other sites
topaMAXX Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I am looking for some female opinions here. For a guy about to turn 30 with a couple years left in him to play the field, what is better: A nice house in a great area with 1 cool male roommate A not bad house in a slightly sketchy area with no roommates Keep in mind I will own in either of these scenarios. In the second scenario, I will be MUCH better off financially and able to spend on nice dining, drinks, clothes, car, and trips. Thanks! Don't buy at all unless you plan to flip it. Being single, you have no practical reason to own a house. Hopefully, you're not doing it just to look cool like so many of my friends did. Link to post Share on other sites
Haydn Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I bought my first house at 24. I was single. I wanted to get on the property ladder as soon as possible, especially in London. Obviously the girlfriend moved in at some point. It was never to look cool just economics. Don't buy at all unless you plan to flip it. Being single, you have no practical reason to own a house. Hopefully, you're not doing it just to look cool like so many of my friends did. Link to post Share on other sites
GemmaUK Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 The sketcjy area and on your own. Boy, it would be so good to meet a man of my age who didn't live with his parents or anyone else! Not much chance of that when a guy is in his forties it seems! I do...they don't. It makes me a gold digger apparently. I would just like to date someone who has his own stuff together and doesn't want to move into my place. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ja123 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 The sketchy area is just a little less prestigous and has some crime. But there's also a lot of cool friends of mine here and there in that neighborhood. It's honestly fine at night, just not as 100% as the other neighborhood. OP- I haven't read the whole thread, but this is my advice: Choose Option 2 - and buy in the "sketchy" area. These are the reasons for doing so: - do to high housing costs in 'good' areas, more people will eventually "gentrify" the sketchy area which will push out the crime and increase the value of your home - if you buy in now, then you can sell later with profit (there is very little margin to make a profit in a 'good' area); or you can leverage your home asset increase to borrow and invest in other income properties - buying in the sketchy area gives you an option to live with or without a roommate, as you choose - you will have more disposable income by living in the sketchy area (not only for dates, but more importantly: investments! such as buying an income property) of course, your disposable income will increase even more, if you take a roommate In short, sound long-term financial planning will not only increase your options as to how you wish to live your life, but also attract more potential mates! Good luck and have fun! Link to post Share on other sites
Author natwilliams Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 Well I'm in a pretty cheap city. And actually I already own several investment properties (I'm 30). The difference between the cost of the good area house versus the so-so area is $200-300/month, not really that much when you think about it. Even with chicks aside, I like the good area a lot more. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Move to Detroit. You can buy an entire city block of houses for $1. Then you can tell prospective dates that you are a "property developer." Link to post Share on other sites
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