Opinion please(pack'n'play or crib?)

My baby is almost 5 mths. now and is getting to big for his bassinett. I really don't want to put him in his room yet because his room is on the other end of the house and I just really don't like the idea right now. My husband brought the subject up first and wants him to stay in our room for the first year or more. Well I really don't know if I want to move his crib or not because I have his nursery all fixed up and it would be bare if I moved his crib and I would have to rearrange everything and put something there in the meantime. Besides I always change him in his crib, and fold his clothes there while he plays on the floor on his blanket with his toys and gym. So I was thinking about getting a pack'n'play for him to sleep in beside our bed at night. I have a big play pen I keep in the den during the day for him to play in but I think a packnplay is more like a crib in a way. What would you suggest? I am also concerned if he would be able to stay in it for that long. Does anyone have one. If so please tell me what you think about it. Do you think it would be best for me to just put the crib in there? I was also thinking that if we ever go out of town it would really be neat to have one. He would always have his bed with him.