ok.
so i saw 3 rooms today.

let me describe them:

1) 21, South 6th Ave. The owner's daughter lives in the basement of the building. 2 brazilian students live there right now. but the owner (the mother of that fat basement girl) is worse than my mom.. i think. she has certain rules that HAVE to be followed. like, no overnight visitors.. which i don't really mind. then, i HAVE to chip in for toilet paper and things like that.. which again i don't mind. and, once a week, i HAVE to clean the whole bathroom really nice.. vaccuum the place.. blah blah. basically keep it clean.
i must admit that the place was really neat. and i must also admit that one of the brazilian women that i met was really hot. so i'm tempted ;-)

rent: $380/month

2) 501, South 1st Ave. basically, a 5 member Jewish family who want to rent out one of the rooms in the basement to save money for their daughter's college fund. The lady worked at Telecordia for a long time.. she got laid (off) last week. I don't know what the husband does. they have 3 kids - 16 year old Rachel (whose room is next to the one i'll get); 13 year old Dalia and (almost) 7 year old Adam..

Basically she needs someone who will set a GOOD example for her kids.. blah blah. but that house is really really nice.. even the wood on the floors looks so expensive.. the room i'll get has 2 phone jacks.. its small.. but its tasteful.

i don't know why i'm apprehensive. maybe because i dont know how i'll get along with that 16yr old. (we have to share a bathroom). but she'll be leaving for Jerusalem on Feb 1st and will return on June 1st. so that shouldn't be a problem. again though, i'll be living with a family..

maybe i thought, by moving out here and living with people closer to me in age, would help me loosen up.. and just live. without having to think twice before taking every step.

rent: $400/month

3) 218, Magnolia Street. This place is right opposite the Highland Park Public Parking. And its a HUGE room. well compared to the other two atleast.. owner lives on the first floor.. with a wife and two kids. he seems a nice guy.. young and non-interfering. there are two rooms on the second floor. one is occupied by a guy who's doing his undergrad in mechanical engineering. he's ok. he's usually never around.. because he works and goes to school.

i really liked this one. especially because i didn't find the people weird. the room is really nice. we have a private kitchen.. and its so close to raritan ave.

rent: $550/month.

now that's what's bothering me. $550! i can't afford it.

what do you think would be perfect for me? well i'm just kinda between the deepsea and the devil out here.. please please help me.