Rental Report: Studio Or One Bedroom Apartment?

Rental Report

Editor’s Note: This biweekly sponsored column is written by Rick Gersten, founder and CEO of Urban Igloo, a rental real estate firm that matches up renters with their ideal apartments, condos or houses. Please submit any questions in the comments section or via email.

It’s no secret that rents in the D.C. Metro area are steep. There are several things renters can do to help keep costs down: live farther out of the city, give up some amenities or features or get a roommate — just to name a few.

But what if none of those options is appealing? Maybe downsizing is the answer. Of course, there are a few things to consider before making that decision.

Size – Sure, this seems obvious, but remember, you aren’t just giving up a room. Sometimes, you are giving up on more than just a bedroom when you choose a studio apartment. Kitchens may be smaller or there may not be a lot of closet space, forcing you to get creative with your space. Generally speaking, a studio apartment is going to be around 400-500 square feet.

Lifestyle – Do you spend a lot of time at home? Do you like to entertain? Will you be living with another person? These could be checks in the one-bedroom column. That extra room gives you privacy and separation when you need it. On the other hand, if you work or travel quite a bit, a studio may be all you need. And let’s face it, some people just like a cozy, small space.  Keep in mind, too, that some buildings offer common entertainment rooms so you can still throw parties.

Cost – Rent is generally a good bit less for a studio, but don’t forget about the impact on utilities. If you have to pay your utilities, a smaller space is going to cost less. How much are you really saving?

A 450-square foot studio apartment in Bethesda runs around $1,555 per month. A 719-square foot one-bedroom is around $1,780.  Both units have utilities included in the monthly rent, with the exception of cable. When you dig a little deeper and look at the cost per square foot, the one bedroom turns out to be a much better value at $2.48 per square foot versus $3.46 per square foot.

Studio apartments often can save you a few hundred dollars per month, but the cost savings don’t always outweigh the drawbacks. It is a matter of perspective and what satisfies your needs. Be sure to look at the whole picture when considering your next place.

Community discussion guidelines: Our sponsored columns are written by members of the local business community. While we encourage a robust and open discussion, we ask that all reviews of the businesses — good or bad — be directed to another venue, like Yelp. The comments section is intended for a conversation about the topic of the article.

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