Moving Costs vs. Staying: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

This article originally appeared on the Springs "You're Home Blog."

There comes a time when every renter faces the decision of whether or not to renew the lease. Is that time approaching for you? While there certainly is a lot of emotion connected to your home, a clear evaluation of the pros and cons is the best way to find the answer.

Keep in mind that not all costs are financial. Here are some of the major considerations in the choice to move or stay.

Location, Location, Location

Between work, shopping, personal errands and social activities, you're on the go all the time. If you're in an apartment that's reasonably close to most of the places you frequent, that's a big savings in time and money. Sometimes a new apartment sounds like a great deal, but it ends up requiring a lot of time on the road.

Making Connections

You probably have gotten to know many of your neighbors. Springs Apartments makes it a priority to foster a sense of community among our residents. Are you willing to give up these relationships and start over in a new location? It's worth noting that not all apartment communities have an environment conducive to meeting people.

Convenient Amenities

Apartment communities vary wildly on the number of amenities they offer. Some provide a place to live and nothing more. Springs Apartments communities include a rich variety of luxury amenities such as 24-hour fitness centers, resort-style swimming pools and fully-equipped business centers. Not only do you save on membership or usage fees, you save time by having all these facilities in one convenient location.

What About Fido?

Does your family include a precious pooch or kitty? Many apartment communities have a strict no-pets policy while Springs Apartments welcomes your beloved pets, even allowing most large-sized dogs. We have a number of pet-friendly amenities including leash-free, fenced-in dog parks and free pet spa areas.

Moving by the Numbers

It's not all about the money, but there certainly is a financial consideration. The costs of the actual move itself are fairly obvious and substantial, whether you engage a professional mover or bribe your friends with pizza and beer. But there are many intangible costs that sometimes get left out of the equation.

First month's rent and a deposit are fairly standard. Don't forget application fees, admin fees and cleaning charges. You may have to pay deposits or charges to have the utilities turned on and cable or satellite installed. Renter's insurance will need to be updated. Finally, there can be several miscellaneous fees for anything from parking costs to new key charges.

Take much of the guesswork out of your decision by using our handy "Move or Stay" calculator. It allows you to itemize all the costs associated with moving, including many "hidden" charges. The answers will help you be sure you're making the right decision for yourself and your family.