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Know What You Want Before Your Search
Hunting for an apartment can feel like a full-time job, so save yourself time before you search. Consider all of the important aspects of finding a new apartment and make your big decisions before you talk to potential landlords. Knowing what you want will not only make your search easier, it will assure the best possible match between you and your new apartment.
Price
When deciding how much apartment you can afford, don’t project what you think you might earn in the future. Be sure to do a realistic study of how much you make now versus all of your expenses — including estimates for the unplanned ones — leaving yourself with at least a 10% buffer. You can look for a more expensive apartment after you get that amazing raise or win the lottery. (Read: Where Can I Afford To Live?)
Location
Do you want to live closer to work, nightlife, schools or shopping? Some of us are lucky enough to have it all, but for most people, choosing where you live requires at least a little compromise.
Maybe you’d like to be a little further out from the action for some peace, quiet and lower rents? Do you own a car, or prefer to hoof it or use transit? How close you need to be to city services, entertainment and shopping depends upon your transportation options as well as how often you’ll need to get there. (Read: How to Choose the Right Apartment Location)
Amenities
Extra services and perks are where you’ll often find the greatest difference in apartment properties. Really, your budget is the limit as to what you can get, but some apartment communities offer a little more for your rent. How about a dry cleaning service or a 24-hour gym? Conference rooms and common areas with Wi-Fi, resident mixers and on-site pools are all possible pluses. Some communities even have their own movie theaters. Compare services, consider which ones you would really use and tally up potential savings in off-site memberships and expenses. (Read: Live Well Through Your Apartment Community’s Amenities)
A word of caution: Don’t pay extra for amenities you are not going to use. Be realistic about the amenities you will use.
Type
Industrial, gated, funky or posh? Sure the type of apartment you choose will largely be dictated by what you can afford, but some of it will fall to your personal style. Are you someone with imagination and DIY initiative to spare who wouldn’t mind taking the live/work route and finishing off a lofty industrial space on your own? Do you love old things and demand to be surrounded by vintage architecture? Or perhaps you prefer all mod cons and must have the newest digs you can get.
Whatever your preference, think hard about how you’ll feel about your prospective choice if you’re home sick in bed, the weather is awful, or if you’ve got guests coming to stay. Your choice is a good fit if you think you’ll still love it rain or shine, alone or packed with company. (Read: What Kind of Apartment Space Best Suits You?)
Release the hounds; you’re ready to start the hunt. Now that you’ve established how you feel about the major criteria for your new home, you’ll have a much easier time finding just the right apartment for you.
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Readers Poll
Where do you get ideas on how to decorate your apartment?
- The Internet (53%, 8 Votes)
- Magazines (27%, 4 Votes)
- My friends or family (13%, 2 Votes)
- Television (7%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 15
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