Need advice regarding apartments

Once I have a new car I am going to start looking for an apartment and so we have some here that are in the 400-500 dollar range that have washer and dryer hook ups and then some in the 350 range that don't and with most of them you have to pay your own electric well my question is would it be less expensive to rent the apartment that costs a bit more so that I don't have to pay for the laundry mat all the time. Keep in mind I have to wash my uniforms pretty often so it adds up pretty quickly the laundry that is. I kind of think renting the more expensive apartment with the washer and dryer hook up would be better in the long run. But maybe I am over estimating the laundry mat but you have to take into account the gas it takes to go to and from the laundry mat too.

Most apartments that don't have w/d hookups provide a laundry room, but you still have to pay. If you already have a w/d or you want to invest in a good, basic w/d set, I'd go for the apt with the w/d hookup. I've lived in both, and I wouldn't live in an apt without a w/d unless it was a last resort.

I would opt for the W/D apt. It's not only the cost of coin machines, and gas, it's just inconvenient.

I prefer what I had which you may or may not find... We had a single washer dryer for 6-12 apartments( they were 1 bedrooms the two and threes had 4 apartments to a washer)... I lived next to the washer so little hassle...

w/d in unit would be great but leaks happen alot .... and if you are not on the top unit you may get flooded

Not sure I understand. Do you have a washer and dryer? I imagine it would cost around 700 dollars to buy a set. I imagine the best bet for you would be to move into an aprtment that has the washers in the basement, or that is within close or walking distance of a laundrematt if you can't afford the apr. with a washer and dryer. It will not cost you 150 a month to do the laundry. Of course the ideal solution is go visit the folks on sunday for dinner, and take the laundry with you.

I lived in apartment and wwd was my only must have due to amt of wash/cats I have. keep in mind stuff gets ruined every so often(idiots leaving to much bleach/grimy unknown things...)

I lived on first floor upstairs didnt have wd and unless she moved out one would not be put up there. i did flood once as the washer they used was lowest end available and cracked...I was home and thinking wow its taking long time for shower water to fully kick on(which it would as long as washer wasnt filling up) It was a hassle as water was all over and had to have them come in more then once to figure out plan of action...but all in all it was worth it to me. common sense is never do wash/drying/anything if your not home but I see that as courtesy to neighbors to as they wont know of flood or fire till way to late

Id rent the cheaper apartment, as its not going to cost that much for laundry, unless the laundromat is 50 miles away and 5$ a wash. Most likely there will be a laundry room in the building that doesnt have in suite. In my building, it is $2 a load wash, $1.50 dry (maybe the other way around lol), and the machines are much larger than the one my parents have, so I can pretty much do 2 loads of laundry in one machine. I spend about $25 a month on laundy between me and my bf, and bedding/towels get washed every other week. Im also famous for "frequently" (I disagree!) laundering coats/jackets/heavy sweaters - so not a light laundry do-er!
Also, if the machine breaks, youre not on the hook for paying for that. ANd like someone else mentioned, if the machine floods, you dont have to deal with that disaster (and probably repair to the apartment).

Get the one with the hookups! SO worth it not HAVE to go get it done.

I bet there is a place around that sells used W/D in your area and there is always Clist to get a set from. We got our for $300 for the SET!

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Katkuddler

I would opt for the W/D apt. It's not only the cost of coin machines, and gas, it's just inconvenient.

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I agree. I will never live somewhere without a washer and dryer again. It was such a pain to have to leave the apartment to wash it. My old apartment only had 4 washers and dryers for over 50 apartments. It was hard to get a washer and dryer and you could only do 1-2 loads at a time. I spent up to $20 a week on laundry (when bedding needed to be washed). Ours was $2 to wash and $1.50 to dry but I always had to put 75 cents extra in to dry or else the laundry came out soaking wet still.

I would get the cheaper apartment and invest in a small portable washer. That way, you can do small loads (like your uniform) frequently and just hang it to dry.

Thanks for the input I am still not sure what to do

Sweetie, do you have your own washer & dryer? As Jillian said:

I would get the cheaper apartment and invest in a small portable washer. That way, you can do small loads (like your uniform) frequently and just hang it to dry.

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Buying a washer & dryer can be very costly, and it doesn't sound as if you have a lot of cash to work with. When my daughter was looking for an apartment, she thought "w&d hook-ups" meant the w&d were included; I had to explain to her that you have to provide your own.
If I remember correctly, you live in a fairly small town, don't you? Are the apartments that you're looking at in a large multi-unit building, or are they basically a house that's been divided into apartments?

No I don't have a washer and dryer although my brother in law has one and I had hoped to buy his. And its a descent sized apartment complex. and there are a couple of different ones that are advertising the w/d hook ups I will figure it out whet gets closer to time I guess.

Originally Posted by Tavia'smom

No I don't have a washer and dryer although my brother in law has one and I had hoped to buy his. And its a descent sized apartment complex. and there are a couple of different ones that are advertising the w/d hook ups I will figure it out whet gets closer to time I guess.

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Living without an in house w/d for many years, I would definitely get the more expensive apt. In my case I would just go to my sisters and do my laundry but there is nothing more convenient than having your own since then you can do other things at the same time. Think it over carefully and I hope you make the right decision for yourself.

Originally Posted by LaRussa

there is nothing more convenient than having your own since then you can do other things at the same time. Think it over carefully and I hope you make the right decision for yourself.

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I agree and what's nice about having your own w/d, you can just wash one dress if you want to. Which nobody usually does if you have to schlepp to the laundromat, which I did for more years than I like to remember.

We have a Kenwood dryer sitting in our basement if anyone wants it for free. IMO it gives off a very feeble heat, but it does work and could possibly be improved with a visit by an electrician.

I'd like to weigh in again. The reason apartments come equipped is because it make it easier for apartment dwellers to not have to worry about a fridge and a washer. If you buy a washer for an apartment, how long are you going to be there, and what are you going to do with it when you move? I suggest you invest in buying more uniforms so you have enough to last you a week or more. do the laundry once a week or every other, until you can afford a house and your own washer and dryer. just my opinion

Originally Posted by Jillian

I would get the cheaper apartment and invest in a small portable washer. That way, you can do small loads (like your uniform) frequently and just hang it to dry.

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I have a portable. It hooks up to my sink, but it would hook up to regular hook-ups too, if I had them.

I had a very expensive( $699) kenmore portable for 11 years, and after it died I bought a cheap one from walmart. Aside from the fact that the hook up to the faucet doesn't fit properly and there is some leakage there, it works out fine.

Just have to turn the water off between cycles and keep the loads small.

One of the casters (wheels) broke early on, too, but still what do you expect for $127!

One other thing about using portable washers in the sink. Most drains are not equipped to handle the force of the draining water for long, and leaks start. Have to replace or reseal the traps every couple of years. I have a friend who does that for me, I don't bother my landlord with it.

If you do opt for the WD hookups you can always take your washer and dryer that you buy with you. It may be a pain to move, but you can do it! Gary lived in an apartment building with 4 units and a washer and dryer to share. We almost constantly had problems even with only 3 units being rented out! I would set a kitchen timer for the cycles so I could go down and change it out (and it was a pain in the you know what to always have quarters! No change machine there, and we both dont use cash often!)
I actually had someone take my clean laundry out and throw it on the dirty table because I was maybe 5 minutes late getting it out. I made sure to knock on their door and tell them how I felt and made sure to remind them I had waiting on their loads PLENTY of times!
It seemed like there was always stuff getting left in the machines or someone was always using them when I needed them.
If you do go with the community laundry you may find yourself doing laundry at odd times of the day! The extra uniforms may be a great idea, or maybe even just hand washing them in the tub or sink would be an option. Good luck with your apartment search!

I would get an apartment with a W/D hookup that is reasonably priced and look around on CraigsList and at used appliance stores for good bargins on W/D. My sister and brother in law got their new dryer for $60 off of craigslist and it works really well! It's definitely something to look into before you make a decision eithor way Good luck!

Keep in mind that you can also get portible washers and dryers that are really convinent for people who dislike going to laundry mats for various reasons! I personally think public laundry facilities are germy, and people never know how to leave your things alone. Lots of creepy pantie stealers out there too....

Anyways, They are AWESOME gadgets and if you don't mind doing laundry more frequently but in smaller loads.

They don't require w/d hook ups as they work right from a regular outlet. Some are stackable and mountable so they can be on each other or up on a free wall space and out of the way.

Or when you need to do laundry you can put it in the bathroom and afterwards pack it away in the closet again.

I LOVE them.

But now my new apartment came with a full sized washer/dryer in the unit so I no longer have a need for them. No way I would ever get rid of them though because they're great for backup/tiny loads if you maybe just need to wash one soiled sheet and don't like to waste lots of water and electricity.