When you’re trying to find an apartment, there are tons of apartment communities and rental options available. Although having plenty of options is great, narrowing down which apartment is best for you might get a little overwhelming. How do you determine how much it will cost you to live there? How do you decide between living in an older or newer building? Here’s how to choose an apartment that’s right for you.
Factors to Consider When Searching for Apartments
When searching for an apartment online, keep these five factors in mind:
Cost
First, figure out how much rent you can actually afford. Most apartment communities will require you to make at least three times the amount of rent, so remember that while searching for your new home. As a rule of thumb, no more than 30 percent of your after-tax income should be spent on rent. Rent will probably be your biggest expense, but it’s important to determine the true cost of living in an apartment before making a final decision. To learn more about finding a rental budget that works for you, check out our guide on how much you should spend on rent.
When looking at apartments, ask the property manager or landlord which utilities you will have to pay for. Although some apartments may include utilities, you might have to pay for electricity, gas, trash, Wi-Fi, etc. each month. Some apartments also charge for certain amenities like valet trash, parking, and pest control, so make sure to ask about any recurring fees as well when touring apartments. It’s also important to account for move-in fees like security deposits, application fees, and administration fees. If you have a pet, ask if the complex charges pet rent, a pet deposit, and pet fees.
Essentially, the goal is to avoid living above your means and to find an apartment that you can comfortably afford. If you want to live in a certain location or if you have a few must-have amenities on your list, you might have to pay a little more in rent and cut back on other expenses or consider renting with a roommate.
Must-have amenities
Make a list of must-have amenities that are important to you. Some common must-have amenities include gated entry and 24/7 security, but you should also consider your lifestyle when creating your list. For example, if you have a pet, a pet-friendly apartment would be your top must-have. Although finding an apartment with all your must-have amenities is a dream, try to stay flexible and ask about alternatives, especially if you want to stay on budget. For example, if an apartment community doesn’t offer an in-unit washer and dryer, ask the property manager if the apartments have washer and dryer hook ups or if there is an on-site laundry room.
Location
Along with cost, location is one of the most important things to consider when choosing an apartment. Think about your lifestyle and needs when searching for an apartment. Would you like to live in a quieter suburban area, or are you looking to live in a city? Consider how far the apartment is from points of interest that are important to you such as your child’s new school, entertainment options, grocery stores, etc.
If you commute to work, having easy access to public transportation or major highways is probably important to you. If you don’t have a car or don’t drive often, see if the apartment is within walking distance of restaurants, stores, and public transit options like the subway. On Apartments.com, you can calculate the travel time from an apartment to a set destination by clicking on the car icon on the map. You can even calculate the travel time for different transportation methods, whether you’re commuting via car, transit, bike, or by foot.
Space
Pay close attention to the floor plan, square footage, and storage at every apartment community. It might not seem like it at first but choosing the right floor plan can have a major impact on your day-to-day life. For example, if you have a roommate, a floor plan with separate bathrooms might be a better option than a one-bathroom unit. Before touring an apartment in person, take some time to view the floor plan online so you can decide which floor plan works best for you.
Finding the square footage of your potential apartment is equally important. Knowing the square footage of the apartment will help you figure out if the rent is reasonably priced, especially when you begin to compare your options. It will also help you determine if your current furniture will fit in the space. Some apartment communities will have varying floor plans with the same square footage, so choose the space that is most beneficial to your lifestyle but still within your budget. If you’re renting alone, you’ll probably need less square footage compared to living with roommates, but how much square footage you need will vary.
Adequate storage space is essential to keeping your space organized, especially if you’re looking for a smaller apartment. If you move into an apartment that lacks storage options, you’ll probably have to get rid of items or risk having cluttered spaces. Pay attention to how many cabinets are in the kitchen and the size of the bedroom closet, along with any additional storage spaces like a pantry or a linen closet. If the apartment doesn’t have a lot of storage options, consider adding your own storage like carts, bookshelves, etc. if there’s room.
Safety
Everyone wants to live in a safe area, but it’s also important to keep an eye out for safety and security features. Does the apartment have smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors? Is there a fire extinguisher in the kitchen? Are the emergency exits well marked? Does the apartment have ample lighting outside and in common spaces, especially in high-traffic areas like the parking deck and the mail room? Not every apartment will have a security system, but you can always ask the property manager if it’s possible to have one installed.
How to Compare Your Favorites and Narrow Down Your Choices
After you’ve searched for apartments, now it’s time to start comparing each community. First, rule out any apartment communities that are out of your budget. Eliminate apartments that lack many of your must-have amenities and don’t offer any alternatives that would allow you to live comfortably in the apartment.
Begin reading apartment reviews for each apartment community. Checking online reviews can help you weed out any communities that are aren’t properly maintained and poorly managed. Make sure to read multiple reviews, but focus on seeking out the most relevant reviews. Take reviews that are overly negative or positive with a grain of salt. Note the date and avoid harboring information from a 6-year-old review, since the property might be under new management or has since been renovated. Pay attention to longer reviews with plenty of details and personal experiences that can help provide a glimpse into what it could be like to live there. Aim to only tour apartments that have a good mix of reviews and only visit the communities that will be worth your time.
Now that you’ve marked some options off your list, begin comparing floor plans and amenities. If two apartment communities have similar floor plans, does one floor plan have more storage space or square footage? Perhaps two communities both offer a fitness center, but does one gym have more equipment and 24/7 access? Ask yourself these types of questions and make notes for each community. Create a rating scale checklist to help narrow down your choices. You can create different categories and use a numerical scale or star rating system to help give you an idea about what you like best about each community. The apartment communities with the highest scores you will tour first. Here’s an example of a rating checklist you can use:
| Name of Apartment Community | Cost | Number of Must-Have Amenities | Location | Space | Safety | Total Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Once you begin touring apartments, it’s a good idea to get outside opinions. If you view an apartment with a family member or a friend, they might point out details you might not notice at first. For example, your friend might mention that although the fitness center has state-of-the-art equipment, the actual apartment has some structural issues.
What to Look for Outside of the Apartment
While touring new apartments, it’s important to inspect the unit’s interior, but you should also observe several other factors outside of the apartment building as well. To make sure you’ve covered all your bases, use a new apartment checklist and take photos and videos while touring the property.
Exterior
Does the apartment building look well kept? Are the flowers, bushes, and other landscaping features well maintained? Is the community free of trash and debris, especially in the breezeways and dumpster area? A low curb appeal and broken items could be an indication of poor management of the property.
Community amenities
All of the community amenities should be well maintained and in working order. For example, the swimming pool should be routinely cleaned and benches and outdoor furniture in common areas shouldn’t be broken. If an apartment advertises a state-of-the-art fitness center, all of the machines should be working. If you notice something is broken or malfunctioning, ask the property manager when they plan to fix or replace the machine. Follow up later to determine if they handled the maintenance request promptly.
Neighborhood features
Visit the neighborhood during the day and night to get a gauge of what it’s like to live there. Take note of the noise and traffic level, along with any unusual or unsightly things like trash on the streets. Do your research online to learn about the safety of the neighborhood as well.
Apartment location
Many property managers and leasing agents will show you the model unit to help you envision living in the space, but ask if you can view the actual unit you would be living in. This way you can spot any issues and see where the unit is located in the building. Is it next to an elevator, or do you have to walk down the hallway? Is it on an upper floor or is it a walk-up unit? Living near certain amenities like the pool might seem fun at first, but the pool is also a social area, so you may be able to hear your neighbors in the warmer months enjoying this community amenity. If you don’t mind the noise and can’t wait to go to the pool with friends, living near the pool could be ideal. If you appreciate peace and quiet, it’s probably best to avoid high-traffic common areas. Essentially, think about your personal preferences when it comes to the location of the unit.
The neighbors
If possible, try talking with people who already live in the apartment community. They can tell you more about what it’s like to live in the community and what they enjoy about living there. They might give you some key perspective on the property as well.
The apartment staff
When you arrive, the apartment staff should be friendly and welcoming. The property manager or leasing agent should be willing and able to answer any of your questions about the apartment. If you notice that the staff can’t answer your questions, hesitant to show you the property, or exhibits other negative behavior, it could be a signal of bad management and it might be best to check the property off your list.
How to Make Your Decision
The time has finally come to select your top choices. Consider all the above factors (cost, must-have amenities, location, space, and safety) and narrow your list down to two or three apartments. You can make a pros and cons list for each community or rank each apartment on a points system to make your final decision. If you want to use the points system, each desired amenity receives a point, each safety feature receives a point, etc. The apartment community with the highest point is the winner. Once you have found your new dream apartment, begin gathering materials for your rental application. Good luck and happy renting!
Published June 3, 2021
