We all know which kind of apartment we’d get if we had an endless amount of money. Maybe you’d get the one with a rooftop sundeck, in-unit laundry, and concierge service, or perhaps the one with an on-site dry cleaning service, a saltwater swimming pool, and a fitness center. Since you probably can’t afford that (yet), we’re here to help you prioritize which amenities you want in your next apartment and which ones you actually need. Think about these factors when finding your next place and keep those lofty apartment goals on deck for a later day.
Look at what you currently have
If you’re moving into a new apartment, look around your current one and take inventory. Do you have a dishwasher? What about a balcony? Is parking included in your current place?
Make a list of each item you have and each one you don’t have but wish you did. Then, consider how much you value each amenity. Maybe having a dishwasher isn’t that helpful to you right now; drop it lower on your priority list for your next place. Don’t have parking for your car but really wish you did? Move it higher on your priority list.
Consider where you’re moving
Living on the east coast and living on the west coast are two very different places. If you’re making the cross-country move, or even one within the state, you’ll want to evaluate which amenities will be necessary for that city. Los Angeles residents know they’ll probably have to drive most places, making a parking space a high priority. On the other hand, New Yorkers take public transit much more frequently, making a parking space less of a priority amenity. Do your research on your new city and only keep an amenity on your list after you’ve decided it’s truly important for you to have at your new place.
Evaluate your finances
Adding amenities to any apartment increases its monthly rent price. You should evaluate your personal finances while making your amenity wish list to determine how picky you’ll get to be about your future apartment.
Take a deeper look at your bank statements, personal finance applications, and any changes to your income. Can you currently make rent each month? Are you planning on renting an even more expensive apartment? You’ll want to consider how much you can actually afford to spend on rent and how much money your desired amenities add to your future apartment’s monthly rent. If you’ve found the perfect place, but it’s a bit too expensive, check other apartments in the area to see if there are cheaper options that are more aligned with your amenity priority list. You’d be surprised how much more some properties charge for hardwood floors and in-unit laundry.
While we’re on the rent price topic…
Check out your options on Zumper and create a filter to show only apartments that have your wish list amenities. Once you see what the average prices are for those apartments, you’ll know if you need to knock a few things off your priority list. Things like parking, a balcony, and a swimming pool might be adding a lot more to the rent prices than you think.
Make sure you know what you can afford, consider the amenities you can’t live without, and search Zumper to find the apartment that’s right for you.
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