So, I'm getting a new apartment here by the next 2 months. Already bought all the furniture, got a 50" tv, and about to buy all of my kitchen & bathroom accessories. Anyone have some decorating ideas? Its a 2 story townhome style apt, 3 bed. Or will be leasing a home.

Also, when I move in, everyone is welcome, and would love to have a home breaking party haha.

Don't listen to people!! Buying a home does NOT save money! Trust me! Renting a townhome or apartment is a good idea esp if you don't have a family or have a small family.

With the 50" TV, don't forget a decent surround sound system to enjoy Batman Dark Knight Rises this coming Tuesday!!!!

I am color-blind...so, yeah, utterly useless in decorating!

Haha i need the surround sound still.. You got one i can buy?

& the apts i want are about 1200 after utilities.

Sorry Thai, disagree with your statement. I know you are a 'fact' man so...

Bought in 06' and I can sell my house and make 20k over what I purchased it for (given the economy and when I bought that is better than most!)

Now..if I rented it would have been a minimum of $1,200 a month, so $14,400/year, or $86,400 in money I would NEVER see again in just 6 years! Sure, there is interest with the mortgage, but it also is a tax deduction. It helps if you have low rate and can kick in additional principle over time as well. Yes, there still is taxes on a house, but where I live they are very low. If you rent or own you still have to carry insurance as well so that is a equal cost. (That $1,200 is being on the low est side as well).

If you are going to be somewhere a year or two, sure rent away, I did it for 3 years in FL. If you know you are going to be somewhere longer, it can be better to own than rent. Owning is not for everyone for many reason, but to make a blanket statement like that is not accurate, very surprising for you.

As far as design or decoration ideas, get a girlfriend for a few weeks, then you will be set

Haha I plan to own soon, but after i finish my schooling.

& I have a girlfriend... But I do need a guys touch too so it doesnt get overtaken LOL

If you are going to be 'tinkering' with your truck, you may want to get an apartment with a garage option.

I lived in apartments for over 14 years...they usually frown on people working or even washing their cars out in the open on the apartment complex.

I just do my work when the office is closed.

Westwind, you're correct for most folks. Note my "if" statement in my original post. priestsallore is just starting out. But, geez, with me, the maintenance costs of owning a home sure add up. I was just posting my frustrations! We ended up paying off our mortgage because the tax deductions was not nearly as much as the interest from the mortgage. Yeah, mortgage is better than car loan, but that's where the advantage ends. We just had a plumbing leak relating to our island kitchen...$7400 down the drain! (And that is with calling 10 plumbers out to give estimates.)

IMHO, $1200 for a big apartment after utilities is awesome! Given your circumstances, i would jump at it instead of buying a home.

A couple of links I used when I moved into a one bedroom:

Decorating ideas
Just for inspiration
AskMen's Thoughts
Items you should pay attention to

I also want to add, me being in school as well, I would wait until after graduation for buying. The market (I think) will be in better shape(at least where I am).

Damn that's a lot of coin. I stay in a dump for $750 incl utilities split with my gf. It allows me ample fun money.

Now, i am no real estate agent, but isn't now a good time to buy given how poor the housing market is?? I really don't know...just hearing stuff. Basically, if you know that you will be there for a long time, then it may be a good time to buy now because houses are cheap now...and hopefully, will only go up in value down the road (if you're in a good neighborhood).

I halfway agree. But at the same time, I don't want to be in a place full of wanna-be gangsters riding 40" rims on a brand new Charger (Yes, there is one, I kid you not....stupid kid.. and no offenses to anyone.). The place I found is a townhome style apartment, 2 floor, 3 bed 2 bath with plenty of space in every which way, secluded & out of the way, in an extremely nice area. 1045 for the 3 bdrm isn't bad at all.

Site : http://www.legacyatcrownmeadows.com/Apartments/module/photos/property[id]/14993/

& at bronco, I love the AskMen section.. haha

If you are a first time buyer and aren't trying to sell your current house, it couldn't be a better time to buy.

Housing prices are down a bit nation wide, some worse than others, and mortgage rates are at a 50 year low, so yeah, it's a great time to buy.

But, it depends on everyone's situation too. If your job isn't stable or you think you may have a break in your income at some point, you could get in trouble pretty fast.