In a perfect world, every decision would be rational. Before any decisions were made, there’d be a pro-con list and plenty of time to deliberate over a fresh peppermint mocha. Unfortunately, that world exists in the same reality as painless politics and calorie-free pizza. Bummer. If only the world were so logical and predictable! Sometimes, things just move fast. Maybe you just found out you’re being transferred for work, you nailed the internship of your dreams (across the country), or you need to take an out-of-town contract job. Whatever the case, read on to learn our top tips for finding temporary housing in a pinch!
Make sure you find what you need.
Yes, that walk-in closet may leave you pinching yourself, but does the apartment check off everything else that’s on your list? The things that are an absolute necessity? While it’s nice to find a place that strikes your fancy with swanky amenities, you need somewhere to live that meets your specific needs. Since you’re searching for short-term housing, stay focused by ruling out any unnecessary amenities. You’ll save both time and money.
So how do you go about finding that perfect place?
Figure out what your budget is. Conventional wisdom states you should spend less than 25-30% of your post-tax income on housing, but short-term leases and apartments sometimes run pricier than traditional rental situations. Start your search with places in your price range–after all, you don’t want to fall in love and then end up with sticker shock!
Pro-Tip: Take all costs into account, not just rent. Some locations will have utilities, parking, pet fees, etc. which need to be factored into the overall cost.
Once you’ve determined your price range, do a quick online search for apartments in your new area. To further narrow your search, determine what matters most to you in terms of location. Where will you be working? Do you need to be near public transportation? Will you be bringing your car with you?
With the short list established, you can finally start looking into practical amenities. If you would be paying for a gym or parking elsewhere, having them included in your rent is an awfully good perk, not to mention convenient! If you’re still stuck between options, now is the time to make a decision based upon little luxuries, like a big bath or a kitchen with tons of counter space.
Follow the right steps.
You’ve spotted the place you’d like to live for the next who-knows-how-long. After you’ve done your slightly embarrassing but oh-so-fun happy dance, get down to business. The place isn’t yours yet. Get materials ready for your application, a credit check, and lease negotiation. Be sure to get everything you and the leasing agent discuss in writing. Did they say pets are allowed at no extra cost? Write it in your contract. And they said they’ll take care of general repairs free of charge? Find out what “general” entails…and write it down. Whatever you discuss, get it signed and in writing. It may seem like a tedious process now, but you’ll thank yourself later if you and your landlord get into a dispute in the future.
Get ready to move in.
Once you’ve signed on the dotted line, you’ve still got work to do. You need to pay your security deposit. Do a walk through. Figure out furniture–whether that means hiring movers for old furniture, begging friends and family for castoffs, going on a shopping spree, or renting furniture from short-term housing pros like CORT. Beyond move-in logistics, also plan on checking out the local area before the big day. No one wants to finish a long day of moving feeling lonely and unattached. Even if it’s just a local theater or coffee shop, start getting ready to explore places that will make your new city feel like home.
Head to ApartmentSearch.com to find a short-term apartment that’s also furnished. Your move will be seriously easy! Simply select the listing that interests you most and then click on “Show Me Furnished Apartment Pricing.”
