One of the most challenging aspects of searching for an apartment is understanding that limiting your search is often more effective than broadening it. This is typically opposite the way that you would look anywhere else, but it is important. Why? Because there are so many apartments available and they move (get rented out) so quickly, that unless you have a firm strategy you will spend your time running all over town instead of looking at apartments that truly fit your requirements.
Ask many apartment seekers what their requirements are or even what constitutes a “perfect” apartment and you will find that many people don’t have a clear idea of what they really want. Landing an apartment that ultimately turns out to lack in some qualities that are important to you will result in disappointment in an otherwise great apartment. Finding your perfect apartment is really a question of determining your priorities and evaluating your lifestyle.
GET OUT YOUR MAP!
Where do you spend most of your time? For the majority of people, most of their time is spent at work or at school. If you work late or have crazy hours, finding an apartment that is either close to work or close to transportation can seem like a real luxury. Few things compound a bad day or a long work day quite like an intolerable commute or long walk from subway stop to front door.
Priority #1 – Walking distance to work or close to direct transportation link.
Once you have selected a few areas that meet priority #1, ask yourself, “How do I REALLY live?” Many people make a mistake in choosing an apartment that they feel will force them to make lifestyle changes. If you are overweight, choosing a top floor walk up will not make you fit. It will only make you hate your apartment and keep you a virtual prisoner. Similarly, if you are planning on getting pregnant, a top floor walk up is also not a great choice. Many people choose an address or a neighborhood because they feel that it will make them appear more successful or trendier. All this really does is creates a situation in which you can’t leave your home without ‘acting.” Your home should be the place where you fit in and are comfortable, not a place where you have to put on a never ending play.
Priority #2 – Apartment and neighborhood that fits “me” as a person.
You have selected the neighborhoods in which to search, weeded out that ultra expensive neighborhood, and determined that you won’t be happy in a walk up that is above the third floor. Now you need to consider your responsibilities? If you have kids and or pets, you need to figure out what areas of your selected neighborhoods will work best for them. Living on a block that has a lot of loud nightclubs and bars, may not be great if you have a baby, small child, or a dog with a nervous disposition. If you enjoy taking your child or dog to play in a park, finding an apartment close to a park will be helpful as well. Do you need to consider proximately to schools or day care?
Priority #3- Neighborhood and apartment that will fit my responsibilities.
Reflecting on these 3 priorities should have helped you to narrow down the neighborhoods and even blocks that will provide you the best options for apartment happiness!
Tomorrow we will look at building selection methods.
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1 comment:
Thanks for the tip, we were running ragged all over town looking at anything that came up in our price range and then facing the reality that it wouldn't work for our commutes and activities later. It was so frustrating. The book is great BTW.
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