How do you find the perfect apartment for you and your family? Whether its your first apartment, or your next apartment, choosing can be almost as difficult as buying a house! Even if you won’t be living here for life, the location, community features, cost, and availability all come into consideration when finding the perfect community for you!
Location
What location is best depends from person to person. Is it close to your job? If you are a student, is it close to your school? Or, if you are a parent, is it within the right school district? The location of the apartment is one of the most important aspects to consider, as it can effect many other aspects of your life, including commute, school district, and your surrounding community. Some downtown apartments offer convenient access to restaurants and stores; while an apartment community outside of town might be quieter and offer more affordability. You may choose to only search for apartments on a certain side of town or within a 20 minute drive from your job. Be careful when compromising on your ideal location, as while that 45 minute commute doesn’t seem so bad at first, it will become more frustrating the longer you live there.
Amenities
When choosing an apartment many times future residents can be roped in by amazing community amenities. But are they really worth the price? Consider how often you will actually use those amenities and which ones are worth paying more money per month. Having a fitness center included with the community could save you money on gym fees and help motivate you to work out more! But if you don’t have any dogs, is a community dog park going to be worthwhile for you? While extra amenities may seem like a great deal, don’t get roped into paying for something you won’t use!
Availability
Apartment communities typically offer a variety of floorplans, but not all of them will be available to choose from. Depending on when you need to move, you might be able to wait for the perfect apartment to become available, or, you might have to be flexible with the type of layout you choose. However, if a community offers the location and great amenities, you may decide to sacrifice on your perfect floorplan with the option of upgrading to another apartment within the community when it becomes available.
Size and Features
One of the most important things to consider in an apartment is the size, not just the total square footage, but is it the right size for you? Singles and students may find a one-bedroom apartment just perfect for their needs and budget. While a couple moving in together might prefer an extra bedroom for guests or for future children.
If you have a dog, not only do you need a pet-friendly apartment community, but would a first-floor apartment be the best choice to avoid running up and down the stairs many times a day?
Size and features are one of the hardest things to balance with availability, but one helpful tip is to make a list of the features you Need, versus the ones you Want. Then you can make sure your apartment checks off everything you need and see which ones check off more things you want!
Choosing the right apartment is different for everyone, but weighing all the options can help you make the best decision! At Preston Lake Apartments in Harrisonburg, we’d love to be your next home! We invite you to come out and take a tour and see if we are the right apartment for you!