apartment/moving advice?

So, I'm moving in July and am looking at places now, and have to make a decision in the next week. The thing is, I know I'll be in England for the next two years, but have no idea what I'll be doing afterwards. My dilemma: I can rent a pretty nice place that's fully furnished and has a washer (maybe even a dryer) and a dishwasher, etc., or for about the same amount of money, I could get an unfurnished, but larger and nicer place, but would have to buy a whole apartment's worth of furniture, and maybe a washing machine, etc. I'm really at a loss. The furnished place is a super nice studio/loft thing, but for a little less money I could get an unfurnished little two bedroom house, where I'd use one of the bedrooms as an office. Did I mention that I'm complete crap at making decisions?

How long do you plan on living there? If it's longer than two or three years I'd take the unfurnished place because you can make it feel more like home. If it's short term then take the furnished place.

That's exactly the dilemma I'm facing. I want a place that feels all my own, but I know that, unless I magically get a green card in this country and a job in this city, I'll be moving in two years. Still, it will be the longest I've lived in one place since I moved out of my college apartment in 2001.

It would be hard for me to move and furnish a new place, too!

Good luck! :)

a two bedroom house? bonus!

buy a comfortable mattress (maybe the kind the astronauts go into space with) and toss it on the floor.

a dishwasher? pfffttt!!! before you meet him/her buy one plate, one spoon, one fork, one knife. wash them as necessary. if "the one" does show up, buy another place setting.

furnish the place as you will. so much more fun that way.

it sounds like such a great adventure you are embarking on. enjoy it to its fullest!

I wish I had the option of a furnished place when I moved to Japan (was there for 2 yrs). Purchasing the furniture/appliances adds up very fast and it just isn't practical to take it with you when you leave because the shipping is too expensive. You end up spending a lot of money on possessions you'll own for such a short time that it just isn't worth it.

The other pros include being able to entertain immediately, having a comfortable place to go to at the end of the day (which is more important than you realize when you are homesick), and not having to worry about selling or getting rid of any of the furnishings when you have to leave.

I think you should take the furnished place. Yes it's nice to make a place your own, but unless you're looking for a long term thing, you'll have spent money that you wish you had later. There's so much you can or will want to keep. Having to worry about disposing of household items is one hassle you can avoid when another stressful move comes along.

If a short time, the furnished place.

If you're digging in for the long haul, then unfurnished. Then, you can do the place in the ways you want and as you can afford it.

It's a sort of in between amount of time, I guess. I've been in the place I am now since October, which I rented, because I was sick sleeping on friends' couches, and they were sick of it too. This place is furnished and is fine, but I'm always paranoid about fucking it up, because it's so short term. I think I wouldn't be if I had my own furniture, but then in two years I'd have to deal with trying to sell my furniture while also writing up a PhD dissertation. It's also not so easy to get furniture when you don't have a car or many friends who do.

Don't be paranoid. That's what the deposit is for.

Damn I am glad that time of my life is over - freakin' headache living out of boxes, duffel bags and suit cases.

The longest I've lived in one place for that amount of time is 9 months. I'm being really picky about where I move this time because it will be the longest I've been in a place in 7 years, and it might be that long again until I can even sort of settle down again.

When Himself and I finally bought this house, I swore the only way I would permanently leave it is feet first. The gypsy life can get old fast.

If the furnished place is safe and comfortable, I'd go for that. I separated from a long-time marriage three years ago and moved into an apartment with a small amount of furniture. I loved it! I recently bought a larger condo and moved again, this time taking the new stuff I'd acquired plus the old stuff I inherited from the marriage that had been in storage. Such a hassle - so expensive - and I'm tired of most of the old furniture anyway.

Also, until I could afford a washer and dryer I had to lug my clothes up and down two flights of stairs and across the complex and hang out in the nasty laundromat. Having a washer in your apartment is sooooooo nice!

I'd go for the simple and easy approach. Rent the furnished apartment and focus on your work and enjoying your stay in the country. When you go, you go. No moving expenses.