Along your apartment rental journey, you may find that every apartment you’re interested in renting doesn’t have every item on your wish list (if you’re a detailed list kind of person like me), and that’s okay! Selecting an apartment that stays within your budget is all about discovering what the most important qualities of a home are for you. Let’s decipher a scenario based on needs vs. wants to determine what’s more vital to your living situation. Let’s say you’re choosing an apartment based on pet-friendly amenities and residential perks, and you can’t decide between these features. As your search progresses, you may find that you need some amenities more than you want others!
Pet-Friendly Apartment Amenities
If you’re a renter with a pet, or you’re interested in adopting a pet soon, then you’ll need to consider renting a pet-friendly apartment. What does a pet-friendly apartment really entail? You’ll know your apartment is pet-friendly if it offers perks such as:
- Dog park
- Pet waste bag stations
- Fewer breed and size restrictions
- Walking trails
- Indoor pet spa and washing station
- Dog treats in the leasing office
From large amenities like a dog park to the small perks like dog treats in the leasing office, it all counts towards a pet-friendly apartment! But don’t get me wrong here – a pet-friendly apartment also includes other furry friends such as your cat, Snowball (Stuart Little, anyone?). But because your cat spends the majority of his/her time inside the actual apartment, there aren’t many pet perks that apply to them (though I’m all for a cat park at my apartment). So if you’re hoping for pet perks at your new place, you’re probably referring to your dog (since your cat will be happy indoors in any safe, cozy apartment). After all, cats are easy to please, as long as their litter box is clean!
Residential Perks of Apartment Living
Let’s say that you’ve been debating adopting a pet, but you’re unsure if you’re ready to commit to that responsibility quite yet. If this is the case, you’re probably considering some apartment amenities that will benefit you rather than the potential pets that may live in the community. These amenities may include:
- Resort-style swimming pool
- 24-hour fitness center
- Community clubhouse with coffee bar
- On-site maintenance
- Tennis courts
- Valet waste
From a glistening swimming pool to the convenience of a valet waste service, there are many residential perks you can find in apartment communities as a renter. If you’re not a pet owner and don’t plan to be any time soon, then you won’t have to worry about pet rent, pet fees, or pet-friendly amenities (if you choose to put off adopting in this scenario). Though, if you already have a pet, it’s best to find an apartment where they will be healthy and happy!
How to Filter Your Apartment Search
However, future pet parents looking to adopt soon don’t always need to sacrifice their residential amenities in order to find a pet-friendly apartment! Simply search for a pet-friendly community that comes with the perks you’re interested in. And when you’re ready to bring that furry friend home, he/she will be welcomed with open arms (by you and the apartment community). But for now, enjoy a day at the pool and complimentary coffee in the clubhouse!
But hey, what’s wrong with a little bit of both? Let’s say you already have a pet and have decided that you really need a dog park and a swimming pool, but you’re willing to give up some of your wants such as a pet spa and valet waste in order to find an apartment that fits your budget. Easy enough! Now it’s just time to search for apartments with the amenities you can’t live without, and lucky for you, Apartments.com has the perfect search filter tool where you can select your preferred amenities from a given list or specifically search for them – cool, right?
So now that you’ve found some apartments with a pool, some with a dog park, and some with both, it’s time to select the right apartment for you and your potential furry friend.
How to Select the Right Apartment for You
Once your filters are applied and you have some great options, you have an important decision to make. If you can find an apartment with the amenities you need that still fits within your budget, I say go for it! You never want to live above your means, and you should always follow your rental budget when you’re searching for a new apartment. And if your furry friend is as awesome as mine, then it’s also important to pick an apartment where both of you will be happy, rather than just one or the other.
During your search, you’ll likely realize what amenities are more important to you, and which you can live without (for the time being), making the selection process that much easier!
Published August 8, 2018
