The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
What to do. Just bitchin bout life.
fubar911
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, very long story short, I graduated with a BS Education and recently got a WI state teaching license. I haven't been able to get a teaching job. Not really the best occupation for the Midwest right now. So I lived in Wisconson with my wife and two kids. Since the cost of living was going up and job prospects were low, we decided to move back to Minnesota.
We moved back because my cousin was able to hook me up with someone who was hiring (construction-framing) and he said he would rent out his basement to us. So $650 a month got us the a tiny basement with two rooms and a kitchen. The positive was that we get along with my cousin, there was a yard, it is a nice area, etc.
Problem- We have been trying to get out of debt, selling a car and lots of household stuff, has started to make a dent. A small raise at work and now we can afford groceries without putting them on a credit card. Now, I know according to some people we should be living in a box and not have a phone or a computer or a car or anything else. All that aside, my cousin and his wife have decided to raise rent to $800 a month by the end of the year. They are doing okay for themselves. They said they wanted us to stay for a year or longer. Now, it seems that they want us to leave without asking us to leave. We have only been here for 6 months.
So, should I bring this all up or just let them know we will be moving in August? I know family and business should be kept separate but you would think they would throw us a bone. Am I out of line for thinking this? Well, thanks for reading a rant.
We moved back because my cousin was able to hook me up with someone who was hiring (construction-framing) and he said he would rent out his basement to us. So $650 a month got us the a tiny basement with two rooms and a kitchen. The positive was that we get along with my cousin, there was a yard, it is a nice area, etc.
Problem- We have been trying to get out of debt, selling a car and lots of household stuff, has started to make a dent. A small raise at work and now we can afford groceries without putting them on a credit card. Now, I know according to some people we should be living in a box and not have a phone or a computer or a car or anything else. All that aside, my cousin and his wife have decided to raise rent to $800 a month by the end of the year. They are doing okay for themselves. They said they wanted us to stay for a year or longer. Now, it seems that they want us to leave without asking us to leave. We have only been here for 6 months.
So, should I bring this all up or just let them know we will be moving in August? I know family and business should be kept separate but you would think they would throw us a bone. Am I out of line for thinking this? Well, thanks for reading a rant.
fubar911 on
0
Posts
Looking at Craigslist, assuming that you are in the St. Paul area, you are looking at $800-$1200 average (depending on what you want).
Have you tried talking with the cousin, asking to at least postpone the rent until the end of the year (which would give you more time to look for a place)?
If it is just passive-aggressive BS, then good luck looking for a new place. =/
Yes, we could move into my parent's or my wife's moms house.
We are in the north suburbs and so rent would be around $700 or so. We might be able to get housing assistance but I doubt it.
I've talked to my cousin and they aren't having financial problems. They actaully only have their house payment and utilities, of which we pay $650 a month.
I probably will talk to them about it later but right now I'm just not really pissed or mad but more wtf.
Thanks for the responses.
Talk to your cousin and his wife and explain your situation(if you haven't already) and see if you can get him to keep the price @ 650.
If they can't and/or won't, I really think you ought to suck up the pride and move in with your folks until you can get a solid financial foundation.
You mentioned debt. What kinds of debt do you owe and how much of each kind is owed?
If you are in the North Suburbs, rent should be cheaper up there for an apartment. Should be able to get a two bedroom for around 700ish.
You can look towards west of the twin cities and move to a place like St. Louis Park to find the same although in a slightly less desirable area. Teaching in Minnesota is a tough gig to get. Friends of mine had to move way out in Minnesota to grab a job in a farm community like Sleepy Eye. Otherwise expect to be a sub teacher for awhile before you get your foot in the door for a district. All depends on what your teaching degree is in.
Depending on how much you make, construction is probably the way to go for quick and easy labor. You also may want to try looking into Metro Transit as they are always hiring drivers and being their for a bit, you can make decent money. Craigslist, Startribune.com and Monster.com will be your friends for jobs.
My girlfriend lives in MN also, and she said that apartments around her are about $300 (Montevideo/Granite Falls area).
I'd start looking for a new place for sure.
Not to rain on your parade, but Montevideo/Granite Falls are nowhere near where he's living. Those are pretty small/mid sized towns, I wouldn't even consider them outer ring suburbs. They're a good 2 hours from Minneapolis or St. Paul. 650 for a two bedroom seems pretty cheap to me. I'm going to move in a couple weeks and will be paying 650 for a studio (heat included). It's located in an expensive area, but that's what the market commands.
Precisionk provided good advice, I'd listen to him. Where do you and your wife work? I saw similarly priced things in Coon Rapids and that. I'm not sure how far north you mean, but that might help. I'd say find a decently cheap place near where you and/or your wife work. That should help save some money on gas and all that, too.
Of course, if talking with your cousin works I'd stay there.
Edit: Every Sunday the Startribune has a rental section, it contains rental statistics (I can't remember if they're for MN or just the twin cities). Anyway, if my memory is correct $800 is still cheaper than average for a 2 bedroom.
I hate you. $1040 for me in a two bedroom apt, its a nice apt, but still. . .
I know $650 is cheap for the area. The actual size of the apt is more a 1 bedroom size. The only reason we moved is because they said they would rent it to us cheap and they said they wanted us to stay for at least a year.
I am looking for around Blaine. Not too far away though because gas prices will kill me.
Depends on where you work but you can plan ahead. Lightrail is heading all the way to Big Lake with stops in Coon Rapids and Elk River if you work downtown. Definitely if you are worried about gas prices, use Metro Transit. It works well.