Decision time

Here's the situation...

I was flathunting yesterday and saw several places, nearly all of which I liked. Last night I was asked by a girl if I wanted to move in with her. The flat is in Maryhill, and although quite small, is very cosy and well looked-after, and there is also a cat. There is also a copious amount of public transport providing easy access to the city centre and the west end. The room is very nice and being high up, there are great views of the surrounding area (e.g. the Campsie hills and some Maryhill highrises). There are also plenty shops and supermarkets nearby. I think it's her place and she wasn't too bothered about getting me to sign a lease. When I went to view the place, we seemed to get on ok. Sounds good eh?

I have actually told her that I would move in and arranged to pick up the keys etc tomorrow. Nice and straightforward huh? Wrong.

Another place I'd seen is a flat just beside Byres Rd, in the heart of the west end. There lives a Scottish guy, an Austrian girl and a French girl - all students. When I went to see the place, I stayed for a while, had a coffee and a chat and it seemed ok. Whilst I was in, yet more girls appeared and came into the room. It all seemed rather good, being surrounded by all these girls! What is even better is that if I moved in I wouldn't have to pay council tax, for some (possibly illegitimate) reason. Also, the lease is also ridiculously relaxed (leave whenever, but give 28 days notice). The flat itself was ok; quite spacious, with large rooms, with the only drawback being a very small kitchen. I was told that it is a very open place, where the flatmates just sit and chat or go out. Basically, the main appeal here is an incredibly social atmosphere, the kind I'd always wanted but never quite got when I was at uni.

Anyway, I was phoned today by the guy who advertised the room and showed me the place. He said that they wanted me to move in - but I'd already chose the other place! I told him I was interested and would decide for definite shortly. I asked if I could sleep on it and let him know tomorrow and he said ok. He phoned back later to say that they really wanted me to move in - I kid you not! I couldn't believe my luck (can't help feeling there's a catch somewhere).

It's obviously a wonderful thing to be wanted as a flatmate by multiple parties, but now I essentially have to make a crucial decision - that of which place to choose. Both have very alluring but different qualities and I just can't seem to make up my mind. To add to the dilemma, both rents work out at about the same and also there is no strict lease for either place. Do I go with the student place in the heart of the west end, be surrounded by girls and go out all the time, or do I opt for the cosy quiet place, with the lovely rooms?

Effectively it comes down to home comforts vs social life, and my problem lies in wanting the best of both worlds.