I would choose 1 because I can always get lamps to help light the place, but quiet is something hard to come by.

I'd choose #1. I couldn't put up with noise.
For the second set it would be hard to choose without more info. ie. what makes it a bad location, is it noisy or in a dangerous neighbourhood. If it was a safe location but just a little more out of the way I would probably go for the extra space. If the location is undesirable due to safety or noise problems I wouldn't live there even if the place was huge.

No brainer for me.....number 1

I'm in agreement with the posters above: no. 1. Quiet is paramount for me.

Number 3, good location but small. I had a great small place for 3 years. I still miss it sometimes. I had great times there, loved the neighborhood.

Depends, if it was just me 1.

If kids are included in the question then 3 if a great location included a great school district and it was safe for them to play outside.

without a doubt, 1 and 3 for me. i sleep all day, and work nights so 1 would be the most important, no 3 would be the next most important, dont need the room but i like being in a good area.

I'd go for 1 and 3 as well... Peace and quiet lends to a peace of mind. Small space I can handle since I can be fairly minimalistic, and bad location - bad neighborhood, hard to commute to, etc. - is a much much greater pain.

1) very quiet BUT lack of light (dark)

2) fantastic light BUT loud (street & neighbor noises,
etc)

From these two I would choose number one. Although it would take some getting use to my apartment now has bright light all day as the sun rises and sets on my side of the building.

and...

3) great location (area, street, etc) BUT small square footage

4) plenty of sq. footage BUT undesirable location

From these two I would have to keep looking. I take undesirable to mean high crime so that would be out. I can't do small footage because I like and have large furniture so I would end up not being able to move around. For me neither would be acceptable.

For the first set, #1. You can always spruce up the lighting in the apartment somehow and even if not, get used to it and enjoy no bright sun glaring in the eyes.

For the second, smaller square footage...probably. If it's very high crime then no way. But if it's amazingly small, then I'd pass on the better location.

no contest..it would be #10......

(hehehehe...sorry..#1)

i luuuuv quiet/.