Would it be best for me to rent a bad yet cheap condo/apartment and start saving for a house in the future?

Question

Or would it be best to rent a nice condo/apartment which i'd have no problems in calling it "home"?

I'm still young and won't get my own place for years, but in the future would it be smart for me to just get a really horrid apartment or condo and suck it up for a few years, or should I just have at it an rent a place I could honestly enjoy and would have no qualms about inviting people over?

The newer apartments or condos here in Southern California are really nice, expensive, but nice.

Answer 1

eh, find something you like that doesn't cost a whole lot.  i wouldn't move into a "bad" place, you still have to have people over ya know.  save the couple hundred on rent and put it in savings, get into the stock market [wisely] and everything will add up quicker.

Answer 2

You don't have to live in a horrible apartment to save money. If you shop around in advance, you can find an affordable place in decent condition.

It' still a good idea to compromise on some things though. I had the option of renting an apartment with a new carpet and re-modeled kitchen. I chose to rent a different apartment in the same building with an older carpet and kitchen because the rent is $40 cheaper. I'm going to save $480 a year in rent.