REI Posts

Whether you should rent or buy a house in 2025 depends a lot on your personal situation—but there are a number of broader economic and housing-market trends that can help you think through the pros and cons. I’ll lay out what the data suggests, what to watch out for, and some questions you can ask … Read more

Not necessarily — it’s a common saying, but it’s a bit of an oversimplification. Whether renting is “throwing money away” really depends on your financial situation, goals, and lifestyle. Let’s break it down: Why people say it’s “throwing money away”: Why renting can make sense: So renting isn’t inherently “wasting money” — it’s paying for … Read more

Yes, you can permanently live in an apartment, but whether it’s the best choice depends on your lifestyle, finances, and long-term goals. Here’s a breakdown: Pros of living permanently in an apartment: Cons of living permanently in an apartment: Some people happily live in apartments their entire lives, especially in cities where space is limited … Read more

Whether $5,000 is “enough” to move into an apartment depends on a few factors: the rent, upfront costs, and your monthly budget. Let’s break it down step by step. 1. Upfront Costs When you move into an apartment, you usually need to pay: Example: If rent is $1,500/month: With $5,000, you’d have $1,500 left for … Read more

Pros of Apartments Cons of Apartments 💡 Quick Take: Apartments are great for convenience, flexibility, and low maintenance—but you trade space, privacy, and long-term financial investment. Pros Cons Lower maintenance—landlord handles repairs Limited space and storage Amenities like gym, pool, laundry Noise from neighbors Often more secure than houses Less privacy Flexible—shorter leases, easier to … Read more

Living in an apartment has its perks—like convenience, lower maintenance, and often amenities—but there are definitely downsides too. Here’s a breakdown: 1. Limited Space 2. Noise 3. Less Privacy 4. Restrictions and Rules 5. Limited Outdoor Space 6. Parking Issues 7. Potential for Rent Increases 8. Shared Amenities Can Be Crowded 9. Less Control Over … Read more

That depends on what you mean by “smarter.” Both buying a house and buying an apartment (condo, co-op, or unit) have pros and cons, and the smarter choice really comes down to your goals, finances, and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown: 🏡 Buying a House Pros: Cons: 🏢 Buying an Apartment/Condo Pros: Cons: Which is “smarter”? … Read more

Step 1: Figure out your monthly income Step 2: The “30% rule” for rent Financial advisors often suggest keeping rent at 30% or less of your gross income: So $1,000 rent is right at the recommended limit. ✅ Step 3: Consider taxes and expenses After taxes, your take-home pay will likely be around $2,700–$2,900/month (depending … Read more

A common rule of thumb is the 30% rule, which says you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your gross monthly income on rent. So ideally, your rent should be around $900 or less to stay comfortable. 👉 But here’s the nuance: ✅ Bottom line: Yes, you can afford an apartment on $3,000/month, but to … Read more

Good question — the answer depends a lot on location, security features, and lifestyle patterns, but there are some general trends: 👉 Bottom line: Statistically, houses are more likely to be burglarized than apartments, but your specific risk comes down to where you live and how well you secure your space. Related Is it safer … Read more