Would you rather spend a night on the town, or a night on the backyard patio? Walk to brunch on the weekends, or wake up to fields of green and chirping birds? Be close to the action, or have some space to breathe?
Much has been made in today’s media outlets about the affordability of apartments. And, while the cost of renting is still lower than the cost of owning in most cities, the truth is that many apartment residents are struggling to pay their monthly bills.
Shopping for a new apartment can be overwhelming. Sure, many times you can jump into your car and scour the area in search of that perfect place.
Congratulations. You’ve been searching for an apartment to rent on ApartmentSearch and discovered three communities that have everything you are looking for. They are all in the same area and generally have the same price and basic amenities.
Language is a funny thing. As you look across the country, you can find a variety of ways to say the same exact thing. For instance, the sparkling, sugary drink we all love so much is called “pop” in the Midwest, “soda” in the Northeast, and simply “Coke” in the South.
It’s finally time to ditch the roommates (or parents) and get your own place! But how do you weigh your options? Most people that can afford to live alone go for a studio apartment or a one-bedroom, but what’s the difference? Here are some tips and facts about both to help you make the right decision for your needs.
It’s just over there. It is a stone’s throw away. You can get there in a hop, skip, and a jump. No matter how you say it, it pays to be close to the things that you love. When it comes to a place to live, that includes grocery stores, entertainment, and —for people with children —daycare. But how do you really define how close something is? “Close” for one person may be “far” for another. Is time the most important factor, or is it proximity? Going five blocks in city traffic could take you 45 minutes. So how far is too far and how far is just right?
The search for a new apartment can feel overwhelming. Time is often against you, and you may even begin your search from another state or country. You start by finding apartment options that fit within your desired area and price range. (Tools like ApartmentSearch are great to help you save time on this first part.) But usually, once you have the list narrowed down to a handful of options, you will want to visit the apartments in person. After a long day touring apartments, they often all begin to look the same.
However, there are some important differences you should look out for. Not all apartments are the same and sometimes the challenges can be hard to spot. This list will help you discover the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
It has often been touted that bigger is better. But that is not necessarily so. In some instances, the practicalities of smaller can be just as alluring as the trappings of a larger option. Great things come in small packages…right? The debate gets even more complicated when you talk about living space and apartments. Who really knows the actual square footage they need in order to live comfortably? What does 750 square feet actually look like — and does it look that much different from 850 or 950? So when searching for your next apartment, how much space do you really need?
