Having been away from home for more time than not in the last 3 weeks, I’ve become accustomed to staying in a hotel room. This is my first morning in Charleston and as my apartment is not ready, I’m stying in an extended stay ‘suite’, which is just a fancy name for a hotel room. The only difference being that there is an additional 50 or 60 square feet for a ‘full kitchen’, which consists of a 2 burner electric stove, a microwave oven, a small sink, and a refrigerator.
Last evening as I was about to pull into the parking lot of this hotel, I noticed a sign about 1 block from here: “Intown Suites. $229/week”. Hmmm, I thought. $229/week, that comes to about $916/month, all inclusive. At first, the idea had merit. I decided to check into it. The first thing that I did when I got to my room was log onto the Internet connection and check it out. What I found was that these were efficiency suites … in other words, hotel rooms. 
They looked identical to the place that I’m staying right now.
After an honest assessment, I wondered if I could live for 3 months in 200 square feet or less. Renting the ‘suite’ for 3 months would probably save me about $1200 over the 3 month period, but I’m not sure if it is worth it. I’ll have to think about it. The difference in size is about 550 sf. The apartment being 750 sf, the room, 200 sf.
Also, as I am by myself, there is the consideration of some type of community. Here, everything feels transient. People are here for a week or two, perhaps longer, then they are gone. At least in an apartment, people tend to stay for longer periods of time so, if you are inclined, there is a chance to get to know your neighbors. Also, staying in such a small box seems to make the time drag, at least that’s what it feels like having spent so much time in a hotel room; however, all of that said, I’m not a world traveler used to spending the majority of my nights in a hotel room. I do like to have space spread out and make myself comfortable and having only a bed and a chair seems to limit the choices greatly.
I know that there are some of you out there who have traveled extensively or are doing the same type of work/home thing that I’m doing. I know that Thomas has been doing it for quite some time. Any thoughts?
Well, I’m off to my first day of work. More tomorrow.
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7 Responses to “Thoughts about space”
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Paul, having done all kinds of travelling and coming to the end of an extended stay similar to that you’re embarking on, some thoughts:
Straight hotels are a drag for more than about 5 nights (i.e. room only).
For anything longer, or come-and-go travelling, you want more facilities. Definitely a bonus to have the ability to fix your own food, even if you eat out most nights. If the suites are serviced (i.e. full cleaning service like a hotel) I’d reckon that’s a good option. I reckon, when away from home, I can live in a pretty small space.
One upside/dowside of appartment versus suites is the ability to leave stuff behind. You’re driving, so less of a hassle, but I found not having to lug a large suitcase around airports a big bonus to having a house to live in. Just have to be careful clearing out at the end.
I don’t find an appartment block any more social than other forms of living – but I’m not a get out and meet people sort of guy.
In summary, I’d be happy with the suite arrangement if I could leave stuff behind (and be happy it was secure), otherwise it would definitely be the appartment option.
Paul, as it is for 3 months, I probably would try the hotel arrangement for several reasons:
* on the weekends you probably will return home as early as possible and come back as late as possible, eventually make use of extended weekends for overtime. Not having to care for the cleaning is an added bonus
* Having enough space for a laptop or a desktop with a TFT will make you use a considerable part of your off-work time, so less need for much space. The books you read won’t take up too much space as this is not meant as a permanent place anyway.
* In an apartment you have to stick with the neighbours that are there. Good if there is sympathy (or good insulation), too bad if there isn’t. But chances that next to your flat you find people of a similar wavelength are presumably as small as in the hotel.
All in all, I would probably try the hotel for a month. If it doesn’t suit you, that is sufficient time to check for another arrangement. Of course safety is a major concern, but I would not dare to predict where your stuff is safer. At least I have never suffered any losses from a hotel room.
Just my 0.02€ – Markus
I don’t have anything helpful to add to this discussion, but just want to check in with you, Paul. My computer ate my Windows system, so it is likely that I will be out of touch for a couple of weeks. Because we are living sort of here and sort of there during this effort to move, I have great empathy with your concerns about your new living arrangement. Best wishes to you in confronting this choice.
I’m sort of in a similar situation myself. The one thing I try to do is live in the larger community, rather than in the box that I sleep in. Cafe culture, that sort of thing. Depends a lot on where you are staying and what the surrounding area is like.
When I’m in a hotel I spend as little as possible time in the hotel room – its a place to sleep, wash etc and not much else.
@Anita: Thanks for checking in.
@Gordon: That’s what I’m thinking about. I think that I’ve decided on the apartment. I really need to get out and meet people. It makes being away from home a bit easier. Apartments always seem to have something going on, even if it’s just hanging out at the pool and talking.
Also, after checking the price of the ‘suite’ with taxes included, it’s just as expensive as the apartment + furniture + cable/Internet + utilities and it is 550 sf smaller! Looks like I’ll be getting the apartment.
Good choice……..
Yes, I would agree: good choice! I would have been a bit surprised if a hotel room and an appartment come for the same price (assuming similar sizes and overall quality).
Let’s face it, you will be spending more time in Charleston than at home. So you should definately get some place where you feel comfortable in as soon as reasonably possible. It’s like a pair of ill-fitting shoes: you can tolerate it for a while, but sooner than later it becomes a real pain.
I tried to live in a semi-permanent setting (a sub-rented appartment) for a while and very quickly realized that it doesn’t work for me. So now I live in a nice not too big appartment (but it still can also harbour my wife when she’s staying with me at my “work city” in Sweden). And try to forget about the money I’m burning for it each month. But I guess that money is a better investment than any new photographic equipment – it certainly has a bigger impact on my general quality of life. Yeah, living at the same place would have been better for many aspects. But, as that’s not an option right now, let’s make the best of it… For me, that includes a great city to work in, a 10 minutes drive with a bicycle to the next nature reserve and the same distance to the shore.