Renting can be expensive, we all know that. Just one look at our most recent rent report and you’ll see how pricey it really is. It’s not hard to imagine why renters are always looking for ways to stretch their cash–whether it’s saving on their monthly utilities or negotiating rent before even signing their lease. Renting a Furnished Apartment might be another way to save some money, depending on your circumstances. Read on to see if it’s the right move for you.

What is a Furnished Apartment?

Let’s start with the basics. A Furnished Apartment is an apartment that comes pre-furnished with a variety of large items like a bed, dresser, desk, kitchen table, and couch. Some furnished apartments go even further and offer lamps, blinds, and dinnerware. Depending on the exact one you’re considering, it may even come with bedding, wall decor, and more.

As the tenant, you get to use all of these furnishings without paying for them. However, a fraction of the items’ cost is usually baked into your rent, which can result in a higher monthly rent than an unfurnished apartment. It’s worth checking into what exactly you’d be getting for your money so you can determine if you’d realistically spend more furnishing it yourself.

Assess Your Situation

Take a closer look at why you’re considering a furnished apartment. If you’re moving to a new cit, but plan on moving within a year or less, a furnished apartment may save you money. Think about it: buying furniture that you’ll only get to use for a short period of time isn’t much of an investment. You also might end up having to rush to sell it before your next move, or pay to have a moving company ship it for you.

On the flip side, if you plan on living in your new city indefinitely, then it might be a better idea to buy your own furniture. You’ll get to choose the style you like and you won’t have to worry about spills or tears it since you’re the owner. Plus, if you decide you want to move from your furnished apartment to an unfurnished one (they’re usually more common), you’ll have to buy furniture anyway.

Tips for Finding Furnished Apartments for Rent

Some sites and apps don’t have the option to select whether you’re looking for a furnished apartment or not. On Zumper, though, it’s easy. Just use the filter for the “Furnished” amenity and only those apartments in your city that come furnished will show up. As we said before, each furnished apartment is different, so you’ll want to speak to the landlord or look at the space before signing a lease so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

Whether you think a furnished apartment is right for you, or you want to decorate a place all on your own, you can find your next apartment on Zumper.

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