advice for apartment search
 

well, here in the next few months I'll be moving out into an apartment with my boyfriend and we're both pretty picky about stuff.. so I was wondering if anyone had advice for just general stuff to look for with finding an apartment? Any horror stories are definitely welcomed too lol.. we're both completely new to this.

I would suggest you not shack up with anyone until your married :nunu:

I'm still living with my parents....:salook:

lol oh but it's so tempting :)


haha me too, I'm ready to get out!

Visit the prospective apartment properties at night and listen for excessive noise...there are many apartment rating web sites out there also. Good Luck. Top Floor FTW!

The one thing I really like is the washer and dryer in the apt. (especially if you can find one where it is no extra charge). Also, the place I plan on moving into offers a cable TV, phone, and hi-speed cable internet package with the apartment. This is nice because it's simply an add on to your monthly rent, so there is no extra bills for this area. Also, try to find some that take care of water and trash.

Basically, I found a great place that offers what I mentioned and they have a student discount of $30 a month (this offsets the washer/dryer rental charge per month).

All and all, for me, I'm paying no more than $650 a month after all my utilities, internet, rent, washer/dryer, cable, etc. for a 700 sq. ft. apt. Not bad if you ask me, and I've done a LOT of apt. shopping in my area.

Damn $650 a month. Thats less than what I'm paying for half my share of the rent. Then again we have a townhouse. Like whitethunder said though, the washer and dryer is a huge thing to look for. I couldnt see myself having to go pay quarters and sitting waiting for my laundry. Just make sure everything clean and inspect everything before you agree on something.

yeah washer/dryer hookup is the big thing for me.. I couldn't go without that lol

$650 a month...ha ha...you couldn't get a section 8 apartment around here for that. Anyway, for sure look for a place with a washer and dryer in the apartment. The community washer and dryer thing really really sucks. People are always waiting to use them and if you don't remove your stuff from the dryer right when it ends people will take it out for you and put it on top the the dryer...oh that used to piss me off so bad that I would open the dryer door of the person who did so the cycle would stop. ha ha.

Also, look at the cars parked in the parking lot. That will give you some sort of indication if it's a dump or not. Oh and like zig zag mentioned, go for the top floor!

I can give you this advice.

1. If you don't HAVE to move out, then don't. Why do I say this? Because If I hadn't moved out then I would have a new car, and a ton of money in the bank.

2. If you do move out. Don't get a room-mate or move in with anyone. You have to learn to manage your money yourself and adding another person just makes it so much more confusing and in my experience usually ends badly.

3. When looking for a place. Look for something that you can live with first! Having an awesome apt. is great, but when you think about it all that it is, is a place to sleep and hang out. As long as it is comfortable and a place you feel like you can call home, it doesn't matter if it costs $300 or $2,000/mo.

4. You generally want to be able to pay your rent in one paycheck. Money is alot tighter when you are actually put in the situation to pay it.. I went in to my first apt. thinking "ahh this is going to be nothing, I can take care of this; No Problem!" Well, paying that $655/mo + Util's, food, and every other thing you have to take care of is a PAIN IN THE ASS!!

Bottom line is, I wish I had never moved out.. Do I have more privacy? Yeah.. Do I feel more independant? Sure.. Do I Enjoy spending all of this money for a place to sleep? NO!

I really don't know what to tell you, because I don't know you personally, but I would stay home as long as possible if I was you.. Apt.'s really aren't all that they are cracked up to be.. The people are noisy, annoying, and overall a PITA.

If you do decide to move out, look for a townhouse, or a small house for rent, maybe even a duplex..

thanks for all the advice. I don't have to move out at all, but it's just one of those things I need to do to move on with life.. plus there's other reasons I want out of my parents home.

I don't mind spending money on a place to "sleep" lol

bbbbbboyfriend?


but...but...Christie...I thought....


:(





:D jk

Dont move out. Dont rent. Look at houses in your area. You my find it is just a little more per month to BUY a house and be building equity.

Buying a house would be nice, but you gotta make sure you can afford it. If you get an apartment and can't pay for it, then you get kicked out or whatever, but with a house you are screwed. Plus, since your moving in with your boyfriend, I would make sure things are going to be cool before you buy a hosue together. Thats a huge step, you better be looking to marry him.

Top floor FTW! It just sucks when you have to haul all your crap up it.

if sled ain't in her mid 20's I'm gunna have to e-slap her. pay attention to us old farts. the one's saying live alone first, don't move, save your money, no roommates, etc... We're right and you're not going to listen to us because you're horny I can just tell. Bummer. You could have been very well off at an early age. Maybe even retire early. But no... the meat plow got to you first.

Now that's a ribbing! Seriously though, we are right. I didn't have the luxury of parents that wouldn't ask for me to leave prior to being able to legally vote or enter into any binding contracts. They're willing to let you be there, find out how long they're willing to let you hang while you save for a home of your own, then stay exactly that long and build your savings up.

^man with the plan.

:D Thats what Im doing.

The essentials is washer/dryer, fans, up to date appliances. Research the area you want to live, price tells all.

Make sure they dont care about working on your car in the parking lot. A lot of places say no no to that. Even if you dont have a washer and dryer in unit it is always a good excuse to go see the parents and do laundry.