Picked a cheap 2nd floor walkup over a fancy place with an elevator, and my knees are filing a complaint
Two years ago I was hunting in Cleveland and had it down to two spots. One was a 4th floor walkup for $850, the other a ground floor unit with an elevator, gym, the whole deal for $1,150. I went with the walkup to save the $300 a month. Figured the stairs would keep me in shape or whatever.
Turns out carrying a couch up 4 flights is something you do once and then think about forever. Also my neighbor on the 3rd floor plays drums. Not like a drummer, just hits things. I've gotten used to it but guests have not.
I've saved around $7,200 so far, which is real money. But I also now refuse to buy anything heavier than a laundry basket, and my grocery trips turned into two small bags per climb. My buddy keeps saying move somewhere with an elevator before your 30s are gone. He might be onto something.
So for people who did this math before: did the stairs ever win you over, or was the cheap rent just not worth the daily haul? Trying to figure out if I tough it out another year or bail.
I did the walkup thing for three years and the savings were real but so was the dread every time I came home with groceries. That $300 a month only feels worth it if you're actually banking it, so if the $7,200 is sitting in savings and not getting eaten by life stuff, tough it out one more year then move.