eeny miney mo?

There hasn't really been a major decision in my live that I haven't had a clear view of what direction to take. But this one has kicked my booty.

So, long story short, my apartment was broken into last week. Thankfully, all the thief got was my ipod. However, since then I've felt very ill-at-ease in my apartment. I don't feel comfortable being there alone, and I certainly don't want to stay living there considering how much I'm paying it's not worth it to be uncomfortable & scared.

So, I have decided to move ASAP. Like, next week. Thus, I present to you my dilemma:

There are 2 apartments that I could take, one is in the Dallas neighborhood of Lakewood, the other is in Richardson. I've wrestled back and forth with the pros & cons of each, but I haven't been able to come to a decision, so that is where you come in. I will present the pros & cons & let you tell me what I should do :)

I present to you, my list:

Lakewood Apartment:

Pros:

• It is only about a 5 min. drive from work (good neighborhood)


• It is almost 1,000 SF (WAY bigger than my apartment now)


• It's an above garage apartment, which means no noisy neighbors.


• It is owned by a nice family with 3 little kids who seem very sweet & I think I would like getting to know them.


• Access to a sweet little park with a pool & nice big trees where I could go jogging. (my apartment windows would look out to the park)


• It would be about $200.00/month cheaper than what I'm paying now. (big deal)


• It has a nice finish-out, new stainless appliances, hardwoods, stack-able washer/dryer, nice storage, central heat & air, an alarm system, etc.

Cons:

• Not AS safe as I would like. (wouldn't have a secure place to park my car, door is still accessed from the ground level)


• I don't have any close friends in the neighborhood & might get a little lonely there.

Richardson Apartment:

Pros:

• My friend Kasey also lives there. (nuff said)


• VERY safe. It has a private parking garage, then you have to have a key to get from the garage to the building, then all the apartments are accessed from an interior hallway. (mine would be on the 3rd floor, no stairs though)


• It has GREAT amenities, awesome pool, work out room, etc.


• I like the area, there are lots of restaurants within walking distance that I'm exited about trying out.


• WAY cheaper than what I pay now. It would be about $50.00/month cheaper than Lakewood.


• Easy access to HWY 75, George Bush tollway, & Greenville Avenue (which is the street my office is on)


• It's close to friends. I have several friends who live in Richardson & it would be nice to be close to them.


• Nice finish out, with all new stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, & new everything. (it's only about 1 yr. old)


• There is a good Sonic close by. (this might not seem like a selling point to most people, but those of you who know me well, know why this is made the list)

Cons:

• It is a little smaller than my apartment now. (I don't think I could fit my dining room table)


• It is about a 20 min. drive from my office. (do-able, but not really great)


• I would have to rent a washer/dryer. Not a huge deal, but would be nice not to worry about that kind of thing.


• It doesn't really have a good place to go jogging outside. I would have to either work out inside or drive somewhere to go jogging.

Well, there it is. Please let me know what you think is the best choice!