Tips for Choosing the Perfect First Apartment
When you’re ready to move into your first apartment, shop around for one that fits your unique needs and lifestyle. Here are a few pointers to consider.
Striking out on your own for the first time can be thrilling! Whether you’re moving out of college dorms or a family home, living in your own apartment is a unique experience. With these tips for choosing a perfect first apartment for yourself, you’ll start your new life on the right foot.
Know Your Budget
Before you start searching, look at your monthly income and do a little math. A common rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30 percent of your income on rent. After all, you’ll also have to budget for utilities, groceries, and other basic living needs. Avoid the temptation to live beyond your means by only looking at apartments you know you can afford.
Consider Floor Plans
As you search for apartments, whether online or in person, pay attention to the layout of the apartment and choose the right floor plan for your lifestyle and preferences. Do you want an en-suite bathroom? Would you prefer a more open plan, or separate rooms for each purpose?
Pro Tip:
Look at the dimensions of each room on the floor plan and measure any furniture and other big items you want to move in. Finding out that your apartment is too small for your possessions after you sign a lease can be aggravating.
Think About Amenities
Is it important to you to have an in-unit washer and dryer, or are you okay with going to the laundromat on laundry day? Choose an apartment that comes with everything you need and want.
Also, amenities aren’t just limited to perks inside your unit. Some apartment complexes have swimming pools, business centers, and even cafes. Choose a living space with amenities that are important to you and that you see yourself using.
Prioritize Safety
A great deal of preliminary apartment research can be done online, but eventually you’ll have to visit your top picks in person. Get a feel for the neighborhood around your potential new home. Is it well-lit at night. Is it dark and creepy? Quiet or noisy? Surrounded by families at home, or sandwiched between abandoned properties? Perhaps the most important factor in choosing an apartment is whether or not you feel safe. If the neighborhood gives you the creeps, or if the apartment building itself is not as secure as you’d like, cross it off the list and keep looking. As you choose the perfect first apartment for your temperament and lifestyle, follow these tips to guide you in the right direction. Turn a new page in your life and find a place that you’ll be happy to call home.
