Location, Location, Location
So you’re ready to move out and you need to pick WHERE you’re going to live.
Here’s a couple things you should think about.
The distance between your home and where you work is very important. Do you love to commute or is a 5 minute walk more your style? Although it might not seem important now, a short commute will allow more time for your friends and family, the ability to go home for lunch as well as offering the flexibility to wake up later and leave work later without worrying about being hassled by traffic. Before you sign the lease, take a trial ride, either by car or public transportation from your potential new place to your place of employment. And take that trial ride during rush hour to get a good idea of what your commute will be like.
Is there close access to public transportation? And is the public transportation safe and reliable? If yes, moving further from your employer or family might not be too bad.
Do you worship regularly? If you belong to a church, temple or synagogue, are you moving within close proximity? If not, driving back and forth on the weekend will cut into a good part of your day. Check to see if there is a branch of your religious organization close to your new home.
Trust your instincts. When you visit your new place, do you feel safe? Is the neighborhood well kept? Does the neighborhood “change” from one block to the other? Find out if there are any neighborhood crime watch organizations in the area. Where are the closest police station, hospital and fire department? Find out if there are any active neighborhood organizations that work to maintain and improve the area. Is your building within a gated community? Safety is of utmost importance.
When you visit your potential new apartment, visit at different times of the day. Sometimes a neighborhood will attract different crowds during the day than during the evening times. Talk open and honestly to your landlord and ask questions. If you would like, ask if there is another tenant that would be open to speaking with you about the building.
Only when you’ve done your research and are completely prepared should you take the step to sign the lease. Moving into your first (or second or third!) apartment is an important step and in order to prevent any difficulties in the future, an informed and educated decision is important.
The first step to that informed decision is to do your research up front by using Apartments.com in your search. With Apartments.com, you’ll be able to access and choose from many community features. You can select a building that offers parking, one that has a pool, a doorman or even find an apartment that has a laundry on site. By searching with Apartments.com, you’ll be able to save time by knowing exactly what type of apartment you’re looking for and getting those exact needs!
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