So what kinds of things do you look for in a new residence? Do you have a checklist of requirements? I have come up with a list of important topics that may help you to choose your next place.
Bedrooms
Knowing your state laws and how many bedrooms you need is important. Depending on the number and gender of your children will determine the minimum amount of bedrooms you will need. After a certain age, children of opposite genders aren't allowed to sleep in the same space.
If you have children sharing a bedroom there are fun ways to save space while making it a great sharable space. Bunk beds are an affordable way to give them their own sleeping space while saving floor space for other things like a desk or play area.
Bathrooms
Having more than one bathroom is definitely a luxury when you are a renter. The more people in the occupied space means the more bathrooms your family will want.
Jack and Jill bathrooms are great for larger families. That is a bathroom that is nestled right in between two bedrooms that only is accessible through the bedrooms. That is a great feature for privacy.
Accessibility
Bathrooms
Having more than one bathroom is definitely a luxury when you are a renter. The more people in the occupied space means the more bathrooms your family will want.
Jack and Jill bathrooms are great for larger families. That is a bathroom that is nestled right in between two bedrooms that only is accessible through the bedrooms. That is a great feature for privacy.
Accessibility
Making sure your new residence is comfortable for everyone is very important. If you are disabled or have a disabled family member you will want to make sure the apartment is accessible to all family members.
If the place isn't specifically designed for lightweight folding wheelchairs you can make sure it is a good fit by measuring the wheelchairs width. Don't forget to measure the distance between the outside grip bars on the wheels and not just the distance between the armrests on the chair. I found that out the hard way.
By measuring the wheelchairs width you can see if the doorways will be passable as well as bathroom accessibility.
You will want to make sure that the building is accessible also. If there are several floors you will need an elevator or ramp.
Amenities
Most apartments nowadays have extra features to make it a more luxurious feel. You can look for things like a pool, weight room, computers, and more. These apartments have all of the comforts of being home with all of the convenience of staying in a motel.
If you are looking for something specific like a dishwasher or hardwood floors you can add that to the list of demands.
Utilities
Utilities are at the very top of the list of importance. You will need to know if you can transfer your current accounts to your new address, if the new location has the utilities bundled into the price of the rental agreement, or if you will need to contact the providers and apply for new accounts.
Location
Location plays a huge role in commuting. When it comes to working, schools, shopping, and much more is how you will want to choose where you are looking to move. If you are well established in one community, you will most likely want to continue to reside in that community.
Utilities
Utilities are at the very top of the list of importance. You will need to know if you can transfer your current accounts to your new address, if the new location has the utilities bundled into the price of the rental agreement, or if you will need to contact the providers and apply for new accounts.
Location
Location plays a huge role in commuting. When it comes to working, schools, shopping, and much more is how you will want to choose where you are looking to move. If you are well established in one community, you will most likely want to continue to reside in that community.
You will want to take into consideration how much you are willing to travel for work and other destinations. One thing to factor in is the traffic, not just the distance. If you are living in a very congested area you may be in the vehicle longer than what you would be if you lived further away in a less congested area. You can check online maps to see what the projected travel time is to destinations before you commit to the move.
Storage
Storage is a wishful thing for me. Over the years I have collected things that I need space for. If storage is not available in the dwelling, having on-premises storage units, or a local storage center would be the next best thing. Being able to store things like holiday decor in a basement or attic is a great idea but apartments don't usually offer those spaces.
Restrictions
Restrictions are something I never thought of until I lived in an apartment and couldn't have a pet.
Some places will allow you to work around restrictions if you pay a fee to cover any damages that may occur due to those restrictions being waived. Be sure you follow all of the guidelines or you may risk being evicted.
Public Transit Options
Parking on-site is nice. No one wants to carry a sleeping child, groceries, or furniture for 2 blocks if they don't have to. If you aren't a vehicle owner you may want to check for bus stops and taxi services in your immediate area. You can search Google Maps for bus stops near you.
Storage
Storage is a wishful thing for me. Over the years I have collected things that I need space for. If storage is not available in the dwelling, having on-premises storage units, or a local storage center would be the next best thing. Being able to store things like holiday decor in a basement or attic is a great idea but apartments don't usually offer those spaces.
Restrictions
Restrictions are something I never thought of until I lived in an apartment and couldn't have a pet.
Some places will allow you to work around restrictions if you pay a fee to cover any damages that may occur due to those restrictions being waived. Be sure you follow all of the guidelines or you may risk being evicted.
Public Transit Options
Parking on-site is nice. No one wants to carry a sleeping child, groceries, or furniture for 2 blocks if they don't have to. If you aren't a vehicle owner you may want to check for bus stops and taxi services in your immediate area. You can search Google Maps for bus stops near you.
Use Tools To Help You Search
Using a website will help you narrow the search and find exactly what you are looking for in a much faster time. Zumper lets you pick any place you may be interested in moving to see what's available and connects you directly to the listing allowing you to get information and even apply right from your phone or computer. Check out pictures of the listing or set up a virtual tour so you don't have to drive all the way to the location to see all of the features. Whether it's down the road or across the country, Zumper is the perfect moving tool.
Using a website will help you narrow the search and find exactly what you are looking for in a much faster time. Zumper lets you pick any place you may be interested in moving to see what's available and connects you directly to the listing allowing you to get information and even apply right from your phone or computer. Check out pictures of the listing or set up a virtual tour so you don't have to drive all the way to the location to see all of the features. Whether it's down the road or across the country, Zumper is the perfect moving tool.
Take for example Sacramento CA, Zumper lists all of the trends for the area. I love the filters. It's so easy to toggle between bedrooms and bathrooms, search by city or neighborhood, pets, cost, amenities, short or long-term agreement, and so much more.
I hope this list helps you out when you are looking for your next apartment.
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