So you are moving out of your parent’s house or probably finished your contract with your current landlord. And now it is time for you to look for a new place to live in, your next apartment. Yes, it sure is an exciting idea but it is also a kind of stressful situation to be in because there are a lot to consider. But worry not because this is what I am here for. I have some personal tips to make your apartment hunt stress-free. So be sure to take note of this checklist when looking for your next apartment.
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New Apartment, New Life
If you are like me, I get really excited whenever I move to a new place. It presents a lot of opportunities, new people to interact with, and new places to explore. One promise of moving into a new apartment is the new experiences. But I am not gonna lie, the process can be a bit tedious at the beginning. There’s packing of your stuff, shipping them from your place to the new one, and of course, unpacking your things. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here, let’s talk about finding the RIGHT place first. I have here the checklist that I prepared for whenever I will hunt for my next apartment:
- Location
Okay, first and foremost, this has got to be on top of our list. After all, why are we moving? Most often than not, it is to get a place that is close to our offices. This has been the main reason for me in the past. Not to burst your bubble here, but when on the hunt for the right apartment, you’ll likely face a huge competition. That is why it is important to use online apartment resources. Say, for example, you need to find a place in downtown LA. A quick Google search can bring up TONS of results and overwhelm you. Here is where you will need to seek the help of an apartment searching tool such as Zumper! So, for example you are moving in to LA and you don’t have a place yet. Just pop in the city on the site and filter things out according to your needs such as the price, the number of bedrooms, and even whether the place allows pets!
Okay, going back. What else should you consider? The establishments in the area. Is there a grocery store nearby? How about transportation? Is it along the road? If not, how long is it going to take for you to get from the apartment to your office? These are the items I look out for in terms of location. - The Environment
In relation to the first point, let’s now look into the environment. Sure, the establishments around the area ticked off the first box, and now how about the surroundings? Is it safe and well-maintained? Are the lights well-lit at night? Is the perimeter a place you’ll feel comfortable walking in at night? Because let’s be real, there can be apartments that come at a realllllly low rental fee, but the moment you look at it, you’ll never want to go back because it is in a shoddy neighborhood. - Safety
Again, now that you have the location and the environment in check, let’s now look after your safety. And by this, I mean, how safe is your apartment and the overall apartment building? Does it follow the fire safety guidelines? Does it have a couple of fire exits? How about the window, can you get out of it easily in case of emergency? And how are the doors? I mean, an apartment is literally our next home so it is just right to be the safest for us, right? - The Rent
Lastly, let’s talk about the rent. Money is pretty tight right now, especially given the pandemic. We have to be smart about our expenses. And moving into a new apartment can get pretty costly- there’s the deposit and the advance payment. And there will also be the unexpected expenses. That is why the rent should be a big consideration. A smart rent is one in which you are paying the right amount for the right amenities. Are you going to be comfortable paying this amount and receive these comforts in return? If the answer is yes, then go ahead and sign the contract. Else, if you feel like the decision you are making is a bad one, back off now. You can still find lots of apartment options on sites such as Zumper!
So there you have it, Bingers. I hope this article will help you make a decision on your next apartment hunt! It is not easy but that doesn’t mean that it is not doable. Just follow my checklist and I am sure that you’ll be good! Happy hunting!
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