Welcome. I think as you read the past posts on this board, you will find that the people here are enthusiastic about vermicomposting. I also have a tiny city garden and a worm bin in my basement, so I don't have to give up any garden or patio space for a compost pile and can handle all my food scraps year round.

Most commercial bins work just fine; they are a little expensive for what they are, but you can also find them used sometimes. I don't think DIY bins work "better" or "worse," but I do think that to get them to work best you need to have some experience managing a worm bin and/or be ready and willing to tinker as you go along. Most of us who have bought commercial worm bins have also wound up tinkering with them in one way or another.

Do read past posts on this board, and ask specific questions.

It all depends on how much (if any) you want to spend and your way of thinking re. re-use/re-cycle/re-purpose or does it need to look fancy.

I don't know that it's fair to say "looking fancy" is the reason to buy a bin rather than making one - maybe there are a few bins that actively try to look fancy (that is pretty misguided for something that worms are going to poop on), but mostly I think it's about wanting the thing to work right, and how much time and energy and skill and physical capacity you have available for DIY efforts.

I do have concerns, though, that some bin marketers try to sell their product as the one thing that makes vermicomposting zero-effort because its design is so awesome. Home vermicomposting is always going to be a little fiddly because it involves living creatures and variables that are hard to completely control. There's no consumer product that will substitute for giving it your attention and care.

mreber. one newbie to anuther. just read what you can and watch what you can on youtube you will be surprised at how much info is out there. and if you are unable to find answers to your questions there. well you in the right place here. i have found this forum very helpful and encouraging. you're not on your own. just have fun.