Foo - I need apartment help.

Ok so my first choice for living off-campus next year fell through. Before anything else, on-campus is not an option, upperclassmen will not receive spots next year (plus I really don't want to).
I have two options:

1. 300 sq. ft. Efficiency. All utilities included for $450. Internet and cable are separate. No dishwasher, washer and dryer are shared with the rest of the building (8 apartments?). Pet friendly which I was planning on with my first option. I have worked out the floor-plan and the apartment has plenty of space for me and my bikes. One downside is the place is 5-10 min away from campus depending on traffic, however there is a bus stop right in front of the building. Finally, my girlfriend will be in a single bed room in the same building, which eases up alot of our and especially her parents concern about her safety coming home from work and such. The main worry is the lease would probably start in April, which means I would either have to find a subleaser or be paying rent for the summer and live up here, when I had planned on living at home one more summer and saving money for a truck/beer/dog/ stuff throughout the year.

2. Large house with 3 other guys. One of the guys is a good friend from back home, my rent would be $300 with no utilities included. Washer/dryer are in the house. Somewhat closer to campus, and also has a bus-stop. No pets. My problem with this house is these guys are slobs, and I will admit to being very anal about cleanliness, both clutter and hygiene. These guys fail at both. Great guys but their apartment is horrendous. I'm afraid the mess will get on my nerves so much I am not going to be comfortable living there, and things will go downhill with the friends. I have talked to two of them about it, and although they say they can try, we all understand it's just not going to happen. They said at the beginning of this year they were going to keep it clean, and everytime I am over there you have to dig out a spot to sit. I could sign the lease today though and have it start the first week of August, when I really need my lease to start.

Is the trouble of a subleaser, the higher rent cost, and the possibility of paying rent throughout the summer worth avoiding the house? Am I just anal-ocd or somewhat normal?

Take option #1. The hassle of the subtenant or changing your summer plans is minor compared to the 24/7 angst of living with people whose habits are not conducive to your mental health.

And do not for one second think that your slovenly friends will clean up their act - or the house - for you. I am speaking as a major-league slob of many decades' standing here and I am telling you: it is in our DNA and cannot be changed unless some or all of sex, a lobotomy, and electro-shock therapy are in play. And even then, don't bet on it.

As for the extra $50, it is a small price to pay for having your own little (and it sounds like "little" is the operative word) place where you can shut the door and tell the world to go away at your discretion.

I'd go for the $450 place. It sucks when you have to get somewhere, and someone is still in the bathroom and when finally out, has managed to use up all the hot water.

With the roommie option, their slobbery will grind on you like a sharp pebble in a boot, causing a lot of stress, almost 24/7.

Consider the $50 difference as paying for sanity.

I'd go for the $450 place. It sucks when you have to get somewhere, and someone is still in the bathroom and when finally out, has managed to use up all the hot water.

With the roommie option, their slobbery will grind on you like a sharp pebble in a boot, causing a lot of stress, almost 24/7.

Consider the $50 difference as paying for sanity.

The difference between 300 and 450 is 150.

Though based on the OPs descriptions I'd still say go with the 450 option.

Looking carefully the $450 option sticks you with a year lease. Odds are you will NOT be able to find someone to sub it out to for the summer. Also the lease might not allow it.

All in all the call is getting tougher.

True, typo on my part, but having to pay a share of the utility bill sort of narrows the difference a bit, and if the other roommates are energy hogs, it may cost more.

The year lease is a bear though. I wonder if they have a reletting fee at the apartment allowing you to leave if need be.

I lived in a house with 6 other guys last year. This year, I'm sharing an apartment with one other guy. It's a bit more expensive, but I'm able to keep the place relatively clean, and I can usually get time to myself when I need privacy. I don't think I could go back to living in a house with a bunch of other dudes.

I'd go for the apartment if I were you.

Your own place. Buddies living together rarely ends in happiness.

unless you really know and really like the other guys in option #2, go with option #1 and get a job there in the summer. or rent another place with your girlfriend.

Thanks for all the advice, I went for the efficiency and I don't start the lease until August, so things worked out. That is one big sigh of relief.