Unless I'm missing something, I think the answer seems obvious -- go with the nicer landlord that's offering a better deal.

My brother owns a rental townhouse -- his first house he couldn't sell -- and has been a landlord for many years now. His biggest worry has always been finding good, reliable tenants who simply pay their rent relatively on time and don't trash the place. You'd think he was asking a lot! But it's still incredibly hard for him to find those tenants sometimes....

Anyway, the upshot is, a good landlord appreciates a good tenant, plain and simple. Bad landlords try and take advantage of their tenants, or simply leave the place in a constant state of dis-repair.

It sounds like it's time to move across the street. From what you said, it sounds like a good decision to consider.

Hope it works out for you either way!

DocJohn