MY FIRST BETHESDA APARTMENT - A YOUNG PERSON'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO APARTMENT HUNTING IN BETHESDA, MD - BETHESDA APARTMENTS, RENTALS

Welcome to the fourth installment of My First Bethesda Apartment:  a weekly, urban guide to the intimidating task of apartment hunting in Bethesda, and scoring and furnishing your dream pad once you find it.

BETHESDA APARTMENT

 OF THE

 WEEK

1 BR/1 BA  FAIRMONT PLAZA (click for listing) - $1750 a month

This week's unit is once again in Fairmont Plaza, but with a slightly cheaper rent than last week.  Apartment 701 faces north towards the Doubletree and NIH.  Just to rehash a few critical benefits:  Location near top restaurants, nightspots and Metro.  Washer and dryer in-unit!!

Just reviewing listings, many downtown units were offering 200 square feet less than this, but for a far higher price.  A third candidate was in The Promenade, which is a fancy building, but I know you are seeking the true urban experience.  The Promenade has great amenities, but is over a mile away from downtown.  You'll also encounter a lot more people your age in the Fairmont than in the Promenade.

Please note that parking is an additional $130 a month.  It's fairly steep, in total, but 2 roommates can make a go of it.  This is what is considered "affordable" in downtown Bethesda.

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SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

This week, let's turn our attention to the kitchen area of your apartment, and more specifically, entertaining.

Whether you are a cook yourself, and ready to hand-prepare dozens of fancy hors d'oeuvres, or just fire a box of frozen snacks in the microwave, you need something to display them on for guests, right?

That's when the 3-tier stand comes out.

SPLURGE

3-Tier Stand from Le Creuset - $90.00

FAKE IT

CooksEssentials 3-Tier Rotating Platter from QVC - $21.97

You can't ever go wrong with high quality products from Le Creuset at Bethesda Row.  People who know cookware will think you're smart, and the cookware is going to last.

But you can save a lot by faking it this week.  After all, how many young people are cookware snobs?  And maybe being a guy makes me biased, but isn't an automatically-rotating tray a lot cooler than some fancy piece your parents or boss will probably appreciate more than your friends will?

My verdict is to Fake It this week, with a nearly-5-star rated conversation piece of a 3-tier stand, on clearance to boot!  You can do a lot with the $70 you'll save.

FIRST-TIME RENTER

TIP OF THE WEEK

Parking.  Is it above ground, or in a garage?  Are there assigned spaces?  How secure is the parking facility?  What are the street parking policies nearby?  And most importantly, how much is the parking fee per month?

The exasperating world of parking is an oft-neglected consideration, but the wrong policy or fee could turn your dream building into a nightmare fast.

So do your homework, and you'll avoid nasty surprises.

Have a great weekend, and let me know if you find the apartment of your dreams, in the Richest Town in America!