Need your opinions! **UPDATE**

So as some of you may know, Mike and I are TTC. We currently live in a one-bedroom walk-in apartment with a small yard, in a neighborhood where we both grew up and lived together for the past 51/2 years. We have a dog, Max (a Boxer), who is rather a large dog. Max has access to the yard through the doggy door, and goes out whenever he pleases when we're at work.

I was acquainted with the owner of the house next door a few years ago. When coming home last night I noticed that the people next door were moving out. They lived in a nice 2 bedroom on the second floor of the house with a balcony (no yard). I called up the owner, and sure enough he told me that the apartment was available for rent for about $350 more than we're paying right now. The apartment is much bigger than the one we live in now ( I know the layout bc the houses are very similar and my friend upstairs has the same apartment).

We are going to look at the apartment tonight and speak to the owner. I know this is going to be a hard decision for DH bc he 'loves' his yard, meanwhile we hardly ever spend any time there and our dog prefers going out for walks rather than going out in the yard.

I personally feel that this is a heaven-sent opportunity for us. I mean yeah we wont have a yard, BUT we'll have a balcony, a bigger apartment where we can keep our dog, and where we can start our family, AND it is in the same neighborhood NEXT door to our old apartment. We're not ready to buy a house yet, but would like to start a family and I think that this place is perfect for us for the next few years.

What do you think? Am I right or wrong for thinking that we should take this apartment ASAP. I mean there arent a lot of places that would take us in with a dog, especially into a nice apartment like this for a lot less rent compared to other 2-bedroom apartments.

How can I convince my DH????

Thank you!



**UPDATE**

Ok, unfortunately this whole deal did not work out. The owner did not tell me this before but he has given the second floor apartment to the third floor tenant and showed us the third floor which I did not like. I told him that I was interested in the second floor and I saw in his face that he was kind of kicking himself in the @ss for giving the other guy the apartment...BUT whats meant to be is meant to be.

Thank you for reading my vent and for offering advice. You girls are the best! As always.

Well first, it sounds like a great deal. For $350 more, an extra bedroom, balcony, more living space, etc its worth it.

How to sway your DH:
mention how cramped you all would be if you did have a baby. I would say if the weather was bad, you could always let the dog out on the balcony like when it snows, etc so it won't be much of a bother. Hope this helps.
Kerry

Definitely look at the newly available place - and if it fits your needs for a family, I would jump at it!

As for convincing your DH - by taking the dog on walks, it will help both of you stay in shape, which is always beneficial when TTC.

It will get you better aquainted with the neighborhood, the neighbors and people, and when you do start your family, one of you can push the stroller and the other can hold the dog!

i think that considering you are TTC, you need to look at this new apartment. There is an extra bedroom & that is worth $350 more to me. You don't want to be cramped in your current place if you happen to get PG. In regards to your dog, you could still let the dog out on the balcony for some fresh air & like you said, he likes walks better.

I think if you set this up right & present it to your DH as it is more space for your future & is not truly hurting the bank with the extra $350 a month.

As long as your dog doesn't get deprived of outdoor time, then I would say go for it. If it means more walks, I am sure he will love the new situation too!

where did DH plan on going with this baby once it came?? was there a reason that he dismissed it so quickly?

i think you would need to take the bigger place. your neighborhood is a great place to raise kids - so i agree with your desire to stay. the pet thing is HUGE - we had such a hard time because we have the dog as well.

i dunno - i agree w/ you that it is a prefect opportunity.

I think it makes a lot of sense to move into a bigger place considering you are TTC. Perhaps once DH sees the place a lightbulb will go off for him as well!

If not (and this sounds really bad) try to guilt him into it by getting sappy. Emphasize to him how much it means to you for the baby to have its own nursery for you to set up and decorate, for your baby to spend his/her first few years. This would work with my FH I think. And trust me...after going to a baby shower this weekend for my friend - they need more space for their things than adults do!!!

Best of luck!

Sylvia, I think if you explain it exactly like you did to us, Mike will be in complete agreement!

Best of luck, and keep us posted.

Your husband may not realize how much your current apartment is going to change once the baby comes along. The 'stuff' alone will probably congest your current place much more than it currently is.

And waking up in the middle of the night... Where can you go with the baby to let the other one sleep? I don't mean to take the baby out on the balcony or anything, I'm just saying an extra bedroom/nursery would be great for that.

Besides, you already knew the people who were there, right? So you know they took care of the place, and the landlord too. You're not going to get that kind of knowledge anywhere else.

I wish you luck!!

move to the 2 bedroom, so Ricky and I can move into your apt...and then you can have access to the backyard!

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Posted by ChrissynRicky

move to the 2 bedroom, so Ricky and I can move into your apt...and then you can have access to the backyard!

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Ooohh...sounds like a great idea!