So my must haves are:

• balcony
• dog friendly
• southern exposure
• washer dryer
• parking garage
• urban setting/high walkability to museums, orchestra, cafes, library
• 2 bathrooms--I can live with one bedroom--I very rarely get overnight guests--maybe once every 5 years

It seems that I can't get all of that for under 600K except in the one building I mentioned above. Hence my struggle.

I actually prefer an out of date condo that I can renovate myself. Everything I see has dark cabinets and floors. I am a Danish modern girl.

I really like eld6161's comment about being able to use the stairs. In light of a couple of recent news events, the idea of a high rise gives me pause. Make sure it has lots of safety equipment!

My sil just had the same decision and she choose the balcony BUT, after buying it, she was terrified of walking out on it. I had no problem so she sits close to the slider door inside the condo. She's in the pent house. Make sure you try the balcony to see if you can handle it. I would choose the w/d choice.

Safety--I know. First London. Now Hawaii. It did give me pause. I tried the balcony on the 12 floor and need to try again. One benefit to the balcony condo is that it was close to elevator and stairs.

I could not live without being able to walk outside. On the other hand, I would just hate having to go to the basement of a building to do my laundry. I think I would keep looking until I found a condo with both features.

I'd choose Plan B with one laundry.

I rarely see anyone on a balcony in a high rise -- maybe a smoker. Windy. Noisy. Maybe HOT for that southern exposure. (I don't know your climate.) If you have cross ventilation, a few inches of open window is fine. If you do not have cross ventilation, nothing helps. I understand your desire to 'walk out'; DH and I have never lived where we could not 'step outside'. I'm not sure this balcony will substitute.

DH and live for three months of the year on the ground floor in a warm climate in an 849 sq ft shoebox shape condo with sliders at each end. It's 1BR, 2Bath. We rarely use the 200 sq ft courtyard off the BR, but it provides privacy and the illusion of space. Off the LR is a shaded 200 sq ft lanai, with lawn beyond that, and an over-the-rooftops ocean view. Full kitchen, many closets. vented washer/dryer. The condo has good air flow, with a small jalousie window in both the BR (SE) and LR (NW). This would feel too small for us for longer stays. It lacks an 'away room' (2nd BR or Den). I would like a third exposure, too. The condo LR, hall bath and a closet abut our neighbor's reverse plan. There's cement wall between the two lanai.

"Home" is 2900 sq ft w/lots of windows/French doors and two exposures in most rooms. Front N; Rear S.

In-unit washer/dryer would outweigh the balcony for me, especially in a high rise. As long as I can get fresh air and see a gorgeous view, I don't need to actually sit outside.

Since we don't know what area, it's a good point to consider if you can actually sit out on the balcony. I know in NYC it can be either too loud or they get especially dirty and it's difficult to keep up with the cleaning.

And, although I don't have a problem with heights, many people do.

Would it be possible to install a stackable washer dryer unit in the balcony condo?

I would also choose washer/dryer over balcony. The amazing skyline views may give the illusion of connecting with the outdoors, depending on the size of the windows.

Visitors tend to be more impressed with a view than the owner -- as long as it's not a BAD view. My MIL had a lovely view, which she said she soon 'forgot about'. She never stopped wanting a bigger, eat-in kitchen.

I inquired about a washer dryer in the balcony unit and was told it would have to be a ventless dryer--the kind they use in Europe. The bathroom is tiny so it would have to go in the kitchen. I don't know. It didn't seem feasible.

First, you should keep in mind that just because a desirable unit elsewhere may be listed for over $600K, that doesn't mean the seller won't accept a lower offer. I'm often quite surprised (while watching those home buying and/or renovating shows on tv) when potential buyers offer way under asking price and the seller accepts or counters with a price that's just a few thousand more than the lowball offer.

One thing that real estate appraisers have to do is rate the functionality of the floor plan. While a written list of the benefits of a unit may be beneficial for determining what you simply can't live without, you need to consider how practical the layout is for everyday living. The practicality should be judged with a slight edge as to how it works for you, but you also should consider how practical others would think it to be, for resale value. A crazy example -- let's say you get a two-bathroom unit. The master is en suite, but door into the second bathroom is next to the 'fridge in the kitchen. Wouldn't bother you because you don't have guests that would be using it and you would always just go to the master bathroom. But when you try to sell the unit years from now, potential buyers (who quite possibly are going to have out-of-town guests often, or who entertain a lot) are not going to like the guest bathroom being so close to the kitchen.

In the OP's example, both units have two bedrooms. Unit A has only one bathroom. I'm guessing that neither of the bedrooms is a true master with en suite bathroom. Not a big deal for someone who lives alone and doesn't have guests over (even just for the afternoon or evening) but this means that you have to spend extra time tidying up your bathroom before guests arrive. And it's a pain to share a bathroom with overnight guests... Unit B has two bathrooms, and an option to have a second washer/dryer set. Apparently, the W/D are stackable units installed in the bathroom(s). Many folks would choose just one W/D and have them installed in the master because, after all, the owner is the person who will be doing laundry, right? But if you have out-of-town guests, they may need to do a load of laundry. Do you want them going through your bedroom into your bathroom to wash their load of undies, or do you want to do their laundry for them? Personally, I would choose one W/D and have them installed in the guest bathroom. No biggie for me to go into the guest room to do laundry when I'm there by myself, and the W/D would be convenient for guests who may need to do laundry.

So if you choose the unit with the balcony, where is the condo's laundry facility? Is it 12 stories down, in a basement, and used by how many people? Or is there a laundry room on every floor? Since I'm often doing laundry late evening, I would have safety concerns depending on location. For me, I think practicality would have to win. Not hauling baskets, either having to sit there while laundry is cleaning, or risking someone walking off with it.

Lindsay you make some very good points. Especially about the laundry. Thank you.

Mystical Manns--the laundray is located all the way at the very end of the hallway. There seemed to be 2 washer and 2 dryers. Sharing with the entire floor.

If the laundry is on the same floor as my unit I'd take the balcony. If the laundry was in the basement i would be torn. Think of it as a little bit of exercise and perhaps saying hi to a neighbour.

Another vote for Plan B due to the laundry. Laundry and 2 baths, more closets, plus a slightly larger size wins over the balcony.

Is there a park or another common green space nearby where you can walk or take your dog?

so there is a park a couple of blocks away--apparently you have to apply to be a member, you pay a small fee, and then they give you a key to the park. I thought it was kinda strange but I'll apply.

Laundry on the same floor is definitely not terrible, like it would be if it were in the basement. That does open the door for the balcony unit. Having the ability to open the door and get fresh air is very tempting. Your original description sounded like the 2nd unit was up higher, is it still within firetruck access should there be a fire? How close to the roof is it (so you could maybe go up if the stairs down were blocked). I used to have a boss that couldn't use a hotel room higher than 2nd floor because of his wife's phobias about getting out in the event of a fire. I'd never thought about it before that!

The balcony unit is on 12th floor. The non balcony unit was on 15th. Of course, I could wait for lower units to become available. There are no screens so I think lower floors would have bugs as well as no view.

I'd go with Plan B.

I like that it has two bathrooms and a W/D.

The extra 100+ square feet doesn't sound like a lot, but that could make the difference between feeling cramped and and feeling like you have space to move around.

Those extra closets are nice too. I have always felt like one can't have too much storage space even if they tend to be a minimalist.

With that amazing view and the ability to crack the windows for fresh air, the balcony wouldn't be that important to me.

Plan B felt more spacious. I did look at the photos tonight to make sure every room had a sprinkler. That high-rise fire in Hawaii was very scary to me.

Wait ... LOL ... reading back over your earlier response. Two washers/dryers on your floor for all the residents. How many apartments are on each floor? Six? Eight? more? That's a lot of laundry with possibly everyone vying for prime time clean clothes. How soon are you wanting to purchase? Is waiting for a lower level unit realistically possible?

I have all the time in the world. I just want to find a place that will make me happy. I'm going to look at another building next week.

Yes, Annegriet, those fires have been sobering especially two so close together. Definitely something to think about, although events such as those are rare.

You'll know when you find "the place".

Right now, you sound kind of "meh" on both option A and B. I'm not getting vibes of excitement from you, but it is kind of hard to tell whether or not that's true from reading posts on the internet.

I'm guessing from the replies here, that lot of other residents would opt for a unit with the W/D. So the community laundry would only be used by some of the residents. So maybe that wouldn't be bad, if it's on the same floor.

Plan B. I'd need a laundry and 2 baths will hold it's value for resale. As mentioned, I don't think your getting either. You sound like your still looking. It's interesting to hear about tho...

I'm gonna keep looking. I'm really uncomfortable with a dog on the high-rise balcony AND I absolutely adore sitting outside so I have to have at least a chair outside somewhere.

I would probably not even look at a home with only one bathroom. As a Senior, I'd want a second bedroom and bath in the event I need help from time to time -- or overnight -- or full time. (A friend who lived in a high rise in Chicago used a second shower stall as 'potty station' for her female poodle.)

You enjoy sitting outside where you live now. A balcony on the side of a high rise may be very different -- and not at all private.

OMG CHISUE--the idea of using the shower for a potty station is brilliant. I mean, for someone old who can't walk their dog everyday. I wonder how you train a dog to go there when needed? I am agreement about the bathrooms now. There is another complex a block or two from the high rise that is a low rise--10 stories that offers courtyard condos and considerable more expensive but it can't hurt to look. Thank you for the feedback.

Maybe someone already said this, but if a dog could slip through the balcony railing, couldn't and unobtrusive layer of wire fencing be applied to the inside of the railing to keep a pup from falling through?

Great idea but I'm worried about her leaping over. I googled dogs on high rise balconies and it scared the bejesus out of me. Sometimes google is not my friend. It was worse than when I go on WebMd! Now I am second guessing washer/dryer, will I even like a sitting that high up, etc. I'm a confused mess. I'm going to look at some mid rises hopefully in my price range. I found one but the HOA (700 bucks) did NOT include parking. I'd have to find a parking garage and pay monthly which is a considerable expense.

Are you using Zillow and Redfin to help you find places?

Anne, it's just my opinion, but I think most people know when they see "the one" because there will be something about that space that says "home" to them. Maybe it will have everything they wanted and maybe it won't but either way it still feels "right". When I was a realtor, I was amazed to see what some of my clients were asking for vs what they actually ended up with. Even with my husband and I we ended up buying something entirely different than what we had planned on because the house spoke to us. I'm assuming that that hasn't happened with you yet so I'm glad you're going to keep looking, I'm sure the right place is out there for you and you'll know it the minute you see it.

Yes, zillow, redfin, and trulia. Also, a realtor sends me listings. Lukkiirish--I know you are right. Thanks for the encouragement.

Dogs and high rise apts can be a real bother. I would NEVER allow a dog of any size out on a balcony! Dogs have no sense of fear and can go over/under/through a balcony railing in an instant.

I would seriously reconsider the high rise thing if a dog is in your future. Perhaps a patio home with a nice outside place (walk-out at ground level) for you and the dog?

My dog is trained to go on potty pads that you simply put down on a special tray with these latch kind of things to keep the pad in place on all 4 corners. It was super easy because the pads have a 'built in attractant', and I like knowing that my dog has a place to potty since she can only go outside when I'm there - it's kind of the dog version of a cat litter box. Plus the tray has ensured that she doesn't find a random place in the house to potty. Replacing the pad once used keeps the area around the tray from being stinky. :)

I don't like shared laundry facilities so the shared laundry would be a deal breaker for me.

Personally I would get my view elsewhere and opt for a ground floor unit with an enclosed patio area.

I have seen people use an extra shower to hold a cat litter box to contain the spillage but never potty a dog there. I feel it's in a dog's best interest to do it's business outside. Large or small they need to spend time outdoors being walked, even if it's just for potty breaks.

"One benefit to the balcony condo is that it was close to elevator and stairs."

You should visit the complex on different times of the day/evening/night and on different days of the week as well as weekends, to get a good idea as to how much noise there is. Too close to the elevator can mean a lot of noise as folks come and go, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

"I don't like shared laundry facilities so the shared laundry would be a deal breaker for me."

I also don't like shared laundry facilities, no matter how few units share a laundry room. The majority of folks do not clean out the washers or dryers when they're done, and you only need to have your clothes ruined once by gum/ink/whatever someone else left in the washer or dryer to feel the same way.

You previously listed your "must haves" as the following:

• balcony
• dog friendly
• southern exposure
• washer/dryer
• parking garage
• urban setting w/ high walkability to museums, orchestra, cafés, library
• 2 bathrooms
• can live with only one bedroom because overnight guests are rare

Even though you say you rarely have overnight guests, what would you do if a close friend or relative needed a place to stay for a night or two while, e.g., repairs were going on at their place, or while recovering from a surgical procedure? What if you needed someone to stay with you while you recover from a procedure? Do you at least have a sofa bed?

In addition to the list of "must haves" that you made, you should also make a list of "other things/features" that you either want or would be deal breakers. For example, is carpeting ok or do you only want wood or tile floors? What about countertops - granite only, or quartz, or recycled glass? Gas or electric cooktop? Automatic dishwasher? Porcelain tub or is fiberglass ok? Is a fireplace a must-have or a would-be-nice-to-have item?

If the unit isn't brand new, find out if it was purpose-built or an apartment conversion. If it's purpose-built, there will be a firewall in the middle of the common walls and floors/ceilings. If it's an apartment conversion, you would rarely find that protection.

Jennifer--I didn't know about the potty pads. My dog came already trained (bonus for me) and we've only had a couple of accidents. All were while she was sleeping. Apparently, as older gal, she needed estrogen and it hasn't happened since we started the meds. Like Watchmeloi, I like taking dog outside the best--she enjoys her walks! Lindsay--you made a lot of great points. I never considered emergency situations like if I needed help. Or, I needed to help someone! I will give this more serious consideration. Thank you.

"What condo would you choose? Thank you for your thoughts."

Personally, I don't think I would choose either one if they lack things that are important to me that can't be easily changed. Not having an outdoor space for a simple pleasure like morning coffee would be a deal breaker. Potty pads for a dog have no appeal to me. Part of the reason to have a dog vs a cat is that a dog makes you get up and move, go out for walks.... whether you want to or not. lol. Litter boxes are bad enough, but washing pads, ew.

I get the feeling, that if you chose one of these, you would be settling for something you don't really want and have regrets.

I agree Irma. In fact, I remember watching a House Hunters (and, I realize it's all totally fake) but someone choose a place that had nothing on their wish list just because it was expedient and I thought to myself, "WHY????"

I walk my dog multiple times a day, but the potty pads are extra insurance.

The pads are disposable not reusable.

I remember once years ago, we had all the rainfall from one of the hurricanes--can't remember which one--and it was too dangerous to take dog outside. I wished she had been potty trained on a potty pad for emergencies! We tried to get her to go on some newspaper in the basement but she had NO idea what to do and she's such a good girl, she was going to just keep holding it! I finally got her to go in the driveway in front of the garage and even that was super scary! I am going to definitely do the potty pad emergency training with the next dog.

Re: Parking. Would you need to own a car in the city? You can hail a lot of taxis or rent a car occasionally for much less than owning, insuring, and parking one in a city.

I will the car to get to my job. Someday, when I retire, the car can go.

@Annegriet

Definitely good for times when the weather is too dangerous to go outside in, or if you have a dog who doesn't want to go out if there's snow or even just in the rain. :P I can't use an umbrella when walking the dog, freaks her out, she's not thrilled with getting wet herself either so I cross my fingers and hope we walk enough for her to potty before heading back inside. If she doesn't, having the potty pads ensures there won't be a mess to clean up off the floor regardless. :)

The best advice I received before getting our golden (our dog before our present dog) was to make sure they know words for going to the bathroom. My dogs go on command. I find this amazing and so convenient for times when you are in a rush, or if the weather is bad.

I got my dog as a rescue. She's a love bug but going on command she does not do! In fact, I think she delays gratification to get longer and longer walks!

Hahahaha - I got mine at one of the local county shelter facilities, while she has always been the sort of dog who wants very much to please me...Many times she has no idea how and resorts to the default of flopping onto her back. In fact that was the behavior that I managed to utilize for the one trick she knows.

I say "Show me your boobies" and she flops right over onto her back. :P