The Search is On! Part 1

So you’re searching for an apartment are you? Your home is supposed to be your castle, the place you can be completely yourself without anyone to bother you … ahhh, what a comforting thought! Your apartment should be like a comfy pair of slippers or your favorite bathrobe or your softest blanket or … oh but I’m getting off on a tangent aren’t I?! Time to get back on track. Whether this is the very first apartment you are looking for or your eighth here are some things to keep in mind as you search:

Cost- How much can you afford to spend?

Keep in mind that rent is only one of your many financial considerations. There are also utilities, food, transportation, and entertainment. If you will be needing to buy some new (or used) furniture that is also a consideration. For first time apartment searchers there is a tremendous amount of things to purchase in order to make your apartment a home. Rents vary from place to place. Don’t settle for the first place you see. It’s always a good idea to keep your options open. And don’t forget, budget accordingly!

If you are stumped as to how to draw up a budget for your new place take a look at the affordability calculator to be found at www.apartments.com.

Location- Where do you work? Go to school? Do you use public transportation?

This is always an important consideration for me. Location can have an unexpected effect on your life and your daily routine and it is something not enough people bear in mind as they search for an apartment. Does it matter to you how close you live to your workplace or school? Some people want to live two minutes away; others don’t mind a half-hour commute. Make a list of your “location” priorities. Do you need to be on a bus route or no more than ten minutes away from the subway station? How close do you want to live to your family and close friends? How close do you need to live to amenities such as shopping, restaurants, movie theatres, banks etc.? What about services such as doctors, dentists, hair stylists, veterinarians (if you have pets)? Give serious thought to the type of lifestyle you live and your specific life patterns when deciding where best to lay your hat! (So to speak)

Space- How much do you really need?

Will you be sharing your living space with someone else, or not? Determine for yourself how much space you can comfortably live in, because comfort should be a number one consideration when searching for an apartment. You’re searching for a permanent home after all! Do you like a lot of empty space or are you a person who enjoys filling rooms up with all sorts of stuff? Make space an option as you search and you should be a happy camper (err, I mean apartment hunter) in no time! 

~Anika Logan

Anika Logan has lived in her share of apartments over the years and has plenty of decorating ideas, not to mention pearls of wisdom to pass on to you. If you have an apartment question/dilemma, look no further-Anika will provide the answers!