Do you want to rent an apartment? The process can be overwhelming and not easy. There are a lot of things to consider when searching for apartments such as location, safety, amenities, marketplace, and pets.
In my last article, I talked about things to know when buying a home in major cities but not everyone can afford that. Not even myself. Although I am on my way to building my dream house, I don’t see any problems with renting an apartment. It is a practical way to save money and there are numerous benefits of it instead of buying a house which we will talk about it later.
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If you’re looking for apartments, the list of choices can be endless. You’ll probably need all the help from website listings such as Zumper. Such tools can help navigate your renting experiences. It can be a hard decision when the possibilities and choices are endless. You need all the help to narrow down your choices.
And here are 10 things to consider when renting an apartment.
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Benefits of Renting an Apartment
First of all, if you are not ready to buy a home you can settle with renting an apartment first while saving up for your dream house. I wrote an article about this too. Rent is cheaper than a mortgage and if you rent with a friend or a partner like I do, you can save a ton of money.
Another benefit of renting an apartment is maintenance. This is usually included in the rent. You don’t have to worry about broken things in the house such as a stove or air conditioner. You have lower responsibility for the place since you are just renting. Homeownership takes a lot of responsibilities and high maintenance.
10 Important factors when renting an apartment
The best thing to do before searching for your next apartment is to consider a few things such as the budget for upfront costs and all the things you need to buy. Home security is also important to consider when renting an apartment.
You can turn your apartment into a home by choosing and planning the best furniture, and conceptualizing your home decor. And of course, let’s not forget to secure our homes.
1. Location
Wherever you are, whether you are looking for rentals in Edmonton Alberta, or apartment for rent in Cincinnati, you have to consider the location.
This is probably the most important factor to consider. Think of your workplace and how you commute to work. If you take the bus or train, you might want to rent a place close to the station.
Ask around and do your research about the place. Consider what things you like to do on the weekend. I love visiting cafes for example, and I live in a neighborhood with lots of cafes.
2. Renting with Pets
If you love having pets, then this is the first thing you check out. Does the apartment allow you to live with pets? What are the policies about living with pets? Also, check out if there are any additional fees for this and ask if there are parks nearby where you can walk dogs.
3. Price/ Affordability
Affordability is a very important factor to consider when looking at miami rental prices, or rental prices anywhere for that matter. This is the first thing I checked when I was searching for my apartment. Not just because of my budget but because I wanted to know if the price is suited for what it offers.
Also, do your research and check the marketplace. If you’re from Norfolk- VA, for example, you’ll need to know that the average rent for a 1-bedroom is $1000 dollars, according to research by Zumper, while rent in Miami or any other area varies.
4. Amenities/Appliances
There are apartments that are furnished with appliances. I rented my place because I have all the appliances that I need such as a fridge, washing machine, and a big-screen TV. But be careful with choosing the amenities.
Only consider the things you need and don’t get impressed with pools or gardens. Also, check out if the appliances are up-to-date. You don’t want an old air-conditioner only to be broken when you start living. It will only become an additional expense.
5. Knowing Your Style
What is your personal style? Consider the color, size, and interior of the apartment. Are you looking for an old or modern apartment? Do you prefer living on the first or top floor? These things are worth considering too when looking for a new place to rent.
6. Prioritizing your needs over wants
As mentioned earlier, don’t get yourself impressed with fancy things. Remember that things have price tags. Prioritize your needs over wants. List the things you need and stick to the list.
7. Community
We cannot deny the fact that we need social engagement when we live in a place. Research shows that the quality of life is affected by a sense of community. The findings also prove that living in a small town enhances the environmental and relational quality of life. So, it is important to consider the community.
8. Safety
No one wants to live in an unsafe environment but how do you check if the place is safe? You can talk to the people there and get to know the place. Have a tour of the place and observe the environment. You can also use online tools to check neighborhood safety.
9. Space
I used to rent a tiny room, and it was a big mistake because I did not consider the size. Convenience and neighborhood safety? Check. All good but I had no space for work. Plus, I lived with a friend. We were like sardines packed in a can, trying to live together.
I could not set any boundaries and was always distracted while working. So, I would rather go to some cafes and work. Not long after, I gave up the apartment.
10. Landlords
You might not interact with the landlord as often as you would with your boss, but it is still an important factor to consider. You will still be working with them when the sink gets broken or when something unexpected thing happens.
I am so lucky that my landlord is a friend of mine. I have no doubts that he has my best interest and that he cares about the space. Build a good relationship not just with your landlord but also with the other tenants. It’s always a good courtesy to introduce yourself to everyone when you move to a new place. Bring some small gifts to show appreciation.
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What else do you consider when renting an apartment?
There are indeed a lot of things to consider when getting an apartment. But hopefully, these tips will help you snag that perfect place. Being able to get a place you can call it home is a dream come true. At the end of the day, it is your home.
Take time to choose the best and the most comfortable place. Check out the neighborhood’s safety, location, and convenience, prioritize your needs over wants and build a good relationship with the people around you.
Do you live in an apartment or a house? What things have you considered when renting an apartment?
I’ve never rented an apartment before but these are great things to consider for someone who’s new to it!
These are some really important aspects you need to consider when renting a place. Location is key for sure. Thank you for sharing!
Lauren – http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
I agree that the safety of the area is very important to consider when looking for apartments for rent. My sister is planning to move out of our parents’ home soon because she would like to live closer to the university she will be attending. Maybe I should help her out with apartment hunting because I did have a hard time finding a place to stay back when I was entering college myself.
My sister would like to rent an apartment near her workplace so it will be less hassle, which is why we’re currently canvassing a place. Well, you made a pretty good point that it would be smarter to ask around first and research about the prospective place. Thank you for sharing here as well the importance of comparing prices first.
We were renting way back before 2010 as we got this house we have then. For 7 years, we were lucky to be in a great location, flood free safe and with a kind landlord too! That house had too much good and bad memories to not come back to
I live in an apartment as you know it can be a struggle to get a house here in Japan to non-Japanese. But, I am pretty happy here in this little apartment because I don’t need much. The landlady is cool with me as I been here for 6 1/2 years.
Wonderful tips! I am renting out an apartment, myself. And safety was on top of my list.
Thank you Christy 🙂 Safety is indeed important