Are you ready to start searching for an apartment rental that you can call home? It can be a tough go, but with some prudent planning, you should be able to find the place that is perfect for you. Whether you are adamant about having particular amenities or you’re very particular about living in a certain area, there are ways that you can have your cake and eat it, too. Here are 4 tips that can help you find the best apartment rentals that can accommodate your lifestyle and needs at a price that you can afford. 
Budget Reasonably:
Before you even begin your search for an apartment rental, you should have established some semblance of a budget. This should include more than just the cost of the rental unit and account for things such as food, entertainment, transportation, maintenance or repairs and so forth. Remember, it’s always better to over-estimate your expenses than underestimate, so if you’re not 100% sure, estimate on the high-end. Having a thorough understanding of all your expenses will allow you to find an apartment that is perfect for you, without breaking the bank. Once you have a good idea of what you can afford, you can begin searching for a place that matches your lifestyle and your budget.
Location, Location, Location:
A clichéd mantra, perhaps, but true nonetheless. When searching for an apartment rental, discerning whether or not the location is appropriate for you is of utmost important. Too many have made the mistake of renting based on emotion rather than practicality. Though you may be enamored with a particular area, if it’s inconvenient for work or lacking the amenities you require, the novelty will quickly wear off. Carefully consider if the location provides you with the facets you need to cater to your lifestyle before making a decision.
Amenities:
Closely related to location, before opting for any apartment rental you should evaluate the amenities you will have access to should you move into a particular property. For example, if a unit doesn’t offer in-suite laundry, is there a Laundromat close by? What about restaurants, cafes, fitness centres or libraries? If you don’t have convenient access to the amenities you are accustomed to (or you absolutely must have), you should consider alternative apartment rentals.
Transit and/or Parking:
Do you drive? Use transit? Both? If you’re going to be relying on it frequently, access to transit should be a factor you seriously consider in your decision (a 20 minute walk to the bus stop may not seem like a big deal in June, but you’ll likely be singing a different tune come January). If you have a vehicle, make sure you determine what options are available for parking. Parking can become a major expense – or may even be completely unavailable – particularly in urban centres. In downtown cores, a spot can run you well over $100 monthly, so be sure that you have part of your budget allocated for parking if you opt for an area in the city.
While searching for an apartment rental unit can be stressful, having a plan of action can dramatically reduce the headache involved in finding a new place. By considering budget, location, amenities and transit or parking, you can find a place that best suits your needs, within a price range that you can comfortably afford.
Happy Apartment Hunting 🙂
The RentSeeker Team
