Wanna cry looking for another apartment. Avoiding realtors that will charge me a month & a half finders fee and dodging scams, now wondering what this "no fee except for $150" is. Scam? Honest, but I have to pay just to look at the place? Or only pay if I decide to rent and the money is for the shuffling of papers? Wanna get drunk but have to drive all over northern jersey tomorrow. Grrr.

Are apartments getting cheaper out there in Northern NJ, Juliebird? I know that they're moderating in price or even dropping a bit around here, due to people renting out condos since they can't sell them. My complex is offering free satellite dishes to new tenants.

IObamaN, I like this story about Michelle going to Arlington for a tribute to female war veterans.

"no fee except for $150" is. Scam?

Yes. At least a broker only takes your money if they find you something. The places that charge you just to look at their listings are skeezy as HELL.

They do seem to be somewhat cheaper than a year ago, although it's hard to tell whilst wading through all the scams. Lots of foreclosed houses for $400 a month and such. Lots of places offering first months rent for free on apartments. Don't know if that's the economy talking or scam artists. There's also some two and three bedrooms that are relatively cheaper than a lot of the crap 1 BR, but I simply can't afford it.

I'm trying to keep my drive to work within a half hour and away from the major highways, but I found a little cabin up by Greenwood Lake that's tiny and affordable, most of the utilities included. I'm trying to figure out if the freedom of having no neighbors directly attached to my floors or walls is worth the hours drive one way and not a lot of space. (and the extra gas for driving double)

Still don't get why the landlords don't have to pay the commission in NJ.

Damn. Got all excited.

Affordable? Check.
Reasonable driving time to work? check.
Pets? Purr!
Utilities... crap, nothing included which puts me past what I'm paying now.
Additional Pet deposit of $300 plus 25 extra per pet per month? I'ze gonna hafta drown the bitches.

F***ing cats, why do I have to love you so?

Juliebird, can I ask how old you are? Because ChiKat once told me what her landlord told her several years ago--a single female professional in her 30s/40s is the most desirable tenant.

When I got my current apartment, they also listed a $300 pet deposit plus an extra $10/month for my cat. But, when I called them for info and they found out I'm a single professional 40-y.o. female, they were falling all over themselves to get me signed up. No pet deposit, regular deposit only $200, and the regular rent got dropped $10 to make up for the pet rent.

My name is Jeffrey and I iz four years old.

I dunno if "Lead Horticulturist" counts as professional in some eyes (although New Jersey is cracking down on the landscrapers) but this might be the first time I'd be happy that I'm thirty!

My name is Jeffrey and I iz four years old.

Is that a reference to the Bill Cosby routine? If it is, I love that one! That poor mother.

We used to listen to cassettes of his on road trips when we were kids. The only thing we could all agree on.

I saw him in concert last year. He spent the first ten minutes or so improving a great bit with the backstage guy who brought him some water. He really is great in talking to ordinary people and pulling funny stuff out of them!