Things I'd consider:
  • Location... a freeway and the airport do not sound appealing to me. That's the main downside of the smaller space, with the limited information I have. How is it in terms of windows / light?
  • It's only for a year... And Seattle is great -- even in the winter, you can spend time outside, hiking, biking, there is skying within a reasonable distance...
  • The opportunity cost. $400 per month is a lot of money. With those savings in one year, you could give yourself a nice vacation, say, biking in Italy... Or a new bike, as Clock suggested.


Simplifying life might be an outcome. The amount of stuff we have is positively correlated to the amount of horizontal space at our disposal. If I got a bigger desk, it will soon be covered with paper.