Get a pressure washer. Then you could get a cheap electronic drum pad like this.

If you enjoy the drums you can upgrade to a better set later.

Pressure wash a few neighborhood walkways or houses, use income to buy drums.

Just keep in mind the electronic drums still make noise, just not as much as the real thing. If it's in a separate room a bit far away from the other people it's fine but don't expect to play it next to your sleeping partner in the same room.

Pressure washer. In the spring you can make enough money with it to buy a drum kit.

Drums are more fun. Music is more fun, and will last you a lifetime.

But absolutely make sure you factor in the cost of lessons.

I mean, if you NEED a pressure washer, get that. If you don't, get some fucking drums dude. I need a pressure washer and will be buying an electric drum kit instead.

You can rent a pressure washer from home Depot.

The hardest part of learning a new instrument is sticking with it. Learning on a pad is kinda boring, adding a barrier to playing. Learning on a drum kit is more fun but bothers everyone around you, adding a barrier to playing. Small electric drum kits are a good route, and like you said you can use headphones, but can also plug in any speaker and jam with some friends or plug in to an aux in and jam with a song. The pounding on the electric kit is still kinda loud, especially if there's someone who lives below you, but there's ways to insulate and minimize the floor noise.

Also makes sure you get some real sticks, not whatever crap they include with an ekit.

Drums are super fun and I hope you successfully get your foot in the door with whatever gets you consistently playing! Lmk if you have any questions.

Idk much about power washers other than I've rented one from home depot once and it worked fine. I'm sure you could get a used one pretty cheap too.

Test if learning the drums is going to suck or be something that you'll enjoy by trying to learn to play a basic beat.

Sitting position.

Assume your dominant arm is your right.

Three actions:

1. Left Hand pats the left knee: snare drum
2. Right Hand pats the right knee: hi-hat
3. Right Foot taps the ground: bass drum

Count the beats: Out loud count, at regular intervals, "one and two and three and four and": four beats counted as eight eight notes that comprised a measure.

Combine the actions with the count:

One: hi-hat and bass

And: hi-hat

Two: hi-hat and snare

And: hi-hat

Three: hi-hat and bass

And: hi-hat

Four: hi-hat and snare

And: hi-hat

Some people can learn this in less than a minute. When I started playing drums it took me roughly ten minutes. If this takes you ten minutes then you're probably not going to enjoy what comes after.

If you're faster then that then you should still not begin with a drum set. Instead, buy a snare practice pad and sticks, learn to read music with them, then learn to roll and paradiddle. That'll keep you busy for a long time. This is how people learn to play with buckets and trash for a set. The expensive drum set comes after learning stick control and technique on the practice pad snare.

Combine the 2 and get a

Edit: wrong

What's your living situation? You mentioned not necessarily having the room for a drumkit. Similarly, do you really have a need for a pressure washer? Do you live on a large property in an area in which the climate necessitates regular pressure washing? Do you have the knowledge and tools to commit to regular maintenance of either the drumkit or the pressure washer? I don't mean like fully disassemble style maintenance, but whatever is suggested in the owner's manual.

I'd say try renting a power washer to see if that is for you before sinking money into it as a business.

Buy a drum pad and a set of sticks and practice rudiments for a year. Only then decide whether you want a full kit. Ask the guy at the music shop to help you select a pair of sticks. You can default to 5A or 5B as a reasonable option. Vater sticks and pads are inexpensive and quality.

Don't buy a pressure washer, rent one. You won't need it very often, and if you do consider a business it'll let you try one or two more out first before committing to a purchase. Also learning a musical instrument is really fulfilling for a lot of people.

As a fellow drummer myself, I would def get an E kit. I got myself a Roland kit a couple years ago and it's been amazing. It has really allowed me to improve and hone my skills. Also, just because you have enough for a drum kit, I wouldn't get the cheapest one out there. You want it to last you a good while.

You can pressure your wash drums, but drumming on a pressure washer is less reliable.

A second hand drum kit will be more reliable than a second hand power washer, so you could get a washer with gift cards and then look for a good deal on a drum kit.

That being said, playing drums makes you more fun and interesting. Having a power washer makes you more likely to be asked to clean things.

You could set up a small business with the pressure washer.

What makes you feel more alive inside? That's the one you'll be more likely to stick to.

If you get the washer, don’t slack on safety. That shit’ll mess you up in a millisecond.