5 Things to Consider When Hunting for an Apartment

It is no secret that I recently moved out of my parent's home to live alone with Syrena. What I haven't written about, though, is how hard it was to actually find the perfect place for us to live in. If you are looking for apartments for rent, here are some of the most important things to consider before anything else.

Good Location

Probably the first thing you'll want to consider is the location you want to move to. Whether you decide to opt for an apartment, a house, or a townhouse; location is key. Do you want to be in an area that is familiar to you? Do you want to be relatively close to your family and/or friends? Do you want easy access to places like schools, malls, public transportation stops, convenience stores, or groceries? Consider what is important to you and choose your location from there.

Affordability

Obviously, your budget is of the utmost importance, as well. Realistically, how much can you spend on the place? Will you be buying or renting? If you're renting, don't forget to consider other things you might have to pay for like the electricity, water, and Internet bills, association dues, and the initial deposit.

Security

Security was definitely high up on the list for me. I knew that I wanted to move to a place with a strict guard, CCTV, and a relatively secure area, in general. I also checked the neighbors, the doors, and whether it would be possible to install extra security measures as I pleased.

Size

Obviously, you also want to make sure that the place that you choose is a comfortable size for you and anyone else who might be living with you. While there are more affordable places nearby, I chose this particular place because I wanted to live comfortably and ensure that I had space for all of the belongings that I had accumulated over the years.

Amenities

This is just a bonus, really. You may or may not care about amenities, but Syrena loves swimming and we actually have a staycation every year for her birthday just so she can enjoy the pool to her heart's content. So, being the over-achieving, over-compensating single mom that I have, I just had to give her what she wants.

Lastly, and I always mention this to people: listen to your gut. If something feels sketchy or off, listen to that part of you that thinks you should bail. Most of the time, your gut is right and there might just be something better out there for you. Good luck!