Here’s some nicer apartments in West Seneca and Orchard Park I’ve looked into.
Too expensive? The cheapest apartments I find are in the Niagara Falls area. I even discovered some that are $440/month with ALL utilities included. I have no idea what these kind of apartments look like, but I assume they are in areas with elevated crime.
I’d also rather pay higher rent than worry about being stabbed while walking to my car. : )
| Apartment Name | Rms | Rent | Appliances | Water | Gas | Electric | Pets | Other |
| Birchwood Square | 1 | 575 | Kitchen | Y | Y | N | N | Pool, Garages |
| Ivy Brooke Crossing | 1 | 580 | Some | N | N | N | Y | Pool, Garages, Central Air |
| Fox Trace West | 1 | 675 | Kitchen | Y | N | N | Y | Central Air, w/w carpeting |
| Quakertowne | 2 | 765 | Kitchen | Y | Y | N | Y | Central Air, Swimming Pool, Cathedral Ceilings, Gas FP |
| The Village | 2 | 650 | Kitchen | Y | Y | N | N | 1.5 bath, Private Balcony |
| Royal York Gardens | 1 | 575 | Kitchen | Y | Y | N | N | Pool, Garages, FIOS |
| Royal York Gardens | 2 | 650 | Kitchen | Y | Y | N | N | Pool, Garages, FIOS, Dining Room |
So, if our electric bill is $100/mo in the winter, our cable & internet package is $40/mo, it’s about $790/month for living expenses in a 2 bedroom apartment at Royal York Gardens.
I have a $310 car payment each month, $70 school loan payment, I usually pay about $50 on my credit card a month, and $300 on my car insurance & cell phone bill. Then, a little under, let’s say $100 in gas. My mom carpools with me a lot, so sometimes she’ll pay to fill my tank for me, which I’m very fortunate to have. But let’s say she doesn’t that month - it’s $1620 in “certain expenses” total.
I bring home $1720/mo from working a full & part time job. This leaves me with $100 a month for groceries, clothes, toiletries, and anything else I’d need. This is very unrealistic for me to afford to live in a 2 bedroom apartment alone, unless I ask for a raise or pick up more hours at my second job.
