HD TV or Monitor?

Disclaimer: This entry will probably be boring to many.

Hmmm.... how wasteful should I be? Get an HDTV for probably around $350-450 or get a good monitor for around $150-200 and buy a cheap, regular, used TV (less than $100 for sure, might be close to 0) or a TV tuner (not sure about the prices but not too cheap).

HDTV is nice and saves space. If I decide to get a PS3 here (seriously considering, but waiting on FF13 and how social I want to/should be), I would need an HDTV. I want to hook the TV as a second monitor for my laptop as well. That means, however, that I will only have a second monitor or a TV, not both at the same time. The HDTV will probably be easier to sell when I leave, though probably at a huge discount.

Monitor+TV is obviously cheaper but takes up more space. I'm used to dual monitors and honestly, while HD is always nice I am used to crappy TV displays.

Of course, then there is the brand and size to consider. I used a 17'' in college but want at least a 19-22'' now. It seems that 22 is the norm now (bigger better for gaming) but 19 is cheaper and I can get a better brand. Of course, the brand always counts but since I am here only for one year, it might not matter that much. Better brand would be easier to resell though.

When you start living on your own you always have these urges to go out and splurge on something. First is was my phone, now it is this.

EDIT: Apparently I forgot about Monitor/HD TV hybrids that are cheaper. Can anyone explain to be how to use a built-in TV tuner to watch tv on a monitor?

EDIT: Or maybe just get a external HD TV tuner for a good monitor? You guys an see where I have been wasting my time....