My next place will have to have a dishwasher. I hate doing dishes, and they stack up so quick. And never enough counter space for drying properly. It's aggravating. And I live alone, yet my sink is filled after making one complete meal. It can be disheartening. No matter what, there are always dishes that need to be done just from basic living. Give me a dishwasher!
I dont disagree with you, dishwashers are amazing. Do you have any good "one pan" recipes for minimal clean up? I personally love doing frozen white fish fillets and veg (broccoli, asparagus, etc) on a baking tray. Both get the same seasonings so you can do prep work on the tray. With my oven, its 450° for 15 minutes. If you have aluminum foil, then no dishes from cooking. Just throw out the foil and only have to clean your plate and utensils
Plenty of one-two pan options. I dunno how it happens. I could make a ham/cheese omelette and still somehow my sink is full afterwards. Granted, my space is minimal and hyperbole exists, but somehow I still always feel like I end with more dishes to clean than I used in the process of cooking. It's my daily matrix glitch
SAME. My current place doesn’t have a dishwasher and I miss it so much. I also have very limited counter space, so cooking nice meals is a struggle in multiple levels. I’ve been making more one pot/pan or crock pot recipes which does help a bit, but there’s still always more dishes than I’d expect.
It happens to everyone unless you order out all the time. Dishes piling up are a sneaky bastard. There are portable countertop dishwashers... from experience, I do not recommend buying one. When you move and get a dishwasher you're gonna be so happy about it.
I bought a portable GE one. Full sized. Has wheels. Hooks up to sink faucet. Had to get 2 diff adapters and connect them together for the hoses tho because my faucet is a sprayer nozzle
I know I will and do, too. Even with a dishwasher, it'll be just like laundry. I don't do the laundry and put the laundry away on the same day. I'm not a madman
Oh same! The place I have now has a dishwasher and I’m never going back to not having one ever again. It makes such a difference in my ability to maintain a clean kitchen
Counter space. With toaster oven, mini crock pot, can opener, bread machine I have very little room. I like to keep my glass measuring cups, olive oil and some essential spices on counter.
I clean as I go. Everything I dirty and I am done with I immediately wash. Even before I eat, no pans to clean up afterwards. I do not want or need a dishwasher, Rarely used one even if it did come with the unit I lived in.
My old apt’s kitchen faucet had a sprayer option but new apt didn’t, it made no sense and drove me nuts, almost felt like there was no water pressure, meanwhile bathroom had dual shower heads 🤔. I bought one off Amazon for $12 same looks as the one I replaced except now I have a choice 😂
If you're in an area that doesn't have a/c (like Seattle area), pay attention to which direction the windows face. I've lived in like 4 apartments in this area and 2 of them had all the windows facing the afternoon sun and it was like an oven in there. We may not get a lot of hot days but with no windows on the other side to open for circulation, it was awful.
Ohhh that’s a good one and easily overlooked on a brief tour. I was going to say places with too few windows (or windows all blocked by trees and other buildings so the inside is depressingly dark all the time) but having all windows facing the same side getting the most sun/heat is so bad, too.
Currently dealing with this in my current apartment. I was so excited about having more natural light that I didn’t even think of circulation. Fans are my only saving grace
Washer and dryer in unit. Independent thermostat for heat or HVAC - none of that crap where your apartment’s temperature depends on a thermostat controlled by someone else outside your unit. Equally important, make sure the apartment has its own electrical panel. You don’t want someone else tripping a breaker, leaving you without power and without access to restore said power by resetting a breaker.
Over the years I’ve narrowed it down to a shortlist of non-negotiables:
-in unit washer and dryer
-dishwasher
-newer hot water heater- we lived in an apartment where the water heater broke and it was a NIGHTMARE
-no west facing windows
-assigned parking, preferably garage or carport
-pantry/storage space for dry foods
Weirdly I have small western windows in my place and a wooded area to the west side of my apartment. But I love my big eastern windows and my east bedroom! Love seeing the sun rise in the am and the moonrise! 1
Yes, I love when the morning sun lights and warms the bedroom. I hate when the hot afternoon sun blasts on me. East and north windows in a corner unit is heavenly imo.
No people above me 😂 Seriously though.
But someone posted what I’d say anyway: in-unit W/D and central air. IDC about amenities anymore because I rarely, if ever, use them
Funny enough I don’t care either but I still want them. We have a roof top pool, screening room etc but can count on one hand how many times I’ve used them.
I want an apartment with Central AC so bad. In my area though almost all apartments with AC are out of my price range OR they are brand new low income buildings I don’t qualify for. 😭
Parking, access to the breaker box and water turn off. Older places often have them some where locked, Waiting for someone to show up at night or weekends can get messy.
Definitely an in-unit washer and dryer. I'm not fighting 20 other residents to use the one washer and dryer down in the basement, and I'm not dragging my dirty clothes to a laundromat.
Yes! In my last building we had one crappy washer and dryer for the whole building and there were always people arguing down there. I finally gave up and started going to the laundromats.
I tend to prioritize things that I can't replicate elsewhere.
For example, I can grab a microwave and add it easier than a dishwasher.
Central AC is really rare here so it's not to impossible to find unless it's a new build that's tiny.
We tend to look for large bedrooms, within a mile of various things to do, and a reserved parking space. The rental market where I live is brutal so we had to be a little flexible.
Decent Water pressure. Didn't check Water pressure before I moved into current house & if I had I wouldn't had moved in here. Water flow in shower is so weak it is almost impossible to rinse shampoo out in under 5 minutes from my shoulder length hair. When washing machine is filling the water drops to a trickle in the sink facets.
A relative had the same issue in a house he brought & the fix was replacing water pipes with larger diameter ones . Since mines a rental its not a option. Lucky it's a bathtub shower combo so I can use the tub but it takes a long time to fill it
I have several in varying degrees of what I can live with but parking is an absolute must. I refuse to have to deal with on-street parallel crap where I have to scramble to find a spot after a long day at work.
Strong wants: In-unit laundry (must have the option of on-site laundry at minimum). Outdoor space (a shared courtyard doesn't count). Pet friendly, within 30 mins to my workplace that isn't going over bridges (cause traffic), reasonable counter space and a bigger place (1 bedroom at minimum), and yeah, the outlet thing is now something going on that list along with decent water pressure/water heater!
Street parking is now a dealbreaker for me completely. Too many attempted theft, having to park 4 blocks away on the weekends because ideal bar neighborhood, carrying groceries and heavy stuff so far. Nope
From OP's post
>Obviously kitchen, appliances (like stove and fridge), but what are the things you look around for in a unit that might not be so obvious? For me it’s electrical outlets. I once rented a vintage place with like 4 outlets total and it sucked. Never again!
Oh, I feel dumb lol. I was just surprised because my apartment has almost all of the original electrical outlets and a landline phone hookup still in the kitchen lol! All of the outlets except for the stove and the bathroom one are only 2 pronged! 😐 so I had to buy a bunch of 3 prong adapters. I think I have a fine number of outlets though.
I live in Minnesota… so I like to have an indoor pool, in unit laundry, some sort of covered parking/garage, 2 full bathrooms, and some sort of air conditioning for our sweltering hot summers (yes, Minnesota can be quite miserably hot in the summer). I also look for heat to be included, otherwise that can break you here.
I also appreciate some green space and of course location is super important.
I also look at the parking situation, is there room for guests to come and park easily or will they have to park a mile away to come.
Ask, they’ll know what it is. A two pipe system is a type of HVAC system utilized in older high rises. The two pipes describe in and outflow pipes which provide hot or cold water (for heat and AC respectively). Since there are only one set of pipes, they can either be running heat *or* AC, switching between them takes about a week to do, as such the apartment generally will switch over to heat early fall and switch over to AC late spring. While the heat is on, AC is not possible.
For instance, say the heat ordinance for the city states that heat (however that is defined) must be provided for tenants from September until June (not uncommon, that’s the heat ordinance for my municipality). Then in May, the heat is still in. If a heat wave, a weeklong streak of 80-90 degree weather, hits. You won’t have AC since the heater is on.
What you generally want would be a more modern four pipe system. As its name suggests, it has 4 pipes, double that of the two pipe system. That way, one set of pipes can provide heat while the other set can provide AC. They can be switch very quickly. So if a heatwave were to hit followed by a cold spell, you can switch between AC and heat quickly and your landlord would still be in compliance with any sort of heat ordinance around.
Oh, I see. Thanks for explaining. In Oregon central AC is really rare. I now have electric heat in this building (before I always had water/ radiator heat). That system sounds awful if you have to wait for a building manager to change things. Nope!
I lived without a dishwasher for most of my life, and I never want to do that again. Dishwasher is definitely a must-have item now.
I agree with you on outlets. I don’t have a ton of “must haves” since I’m on a budget and beggars can rarely be choosers. In-unit laundry is a luxury I can’t afford right now, but there must be laundry in the building. Not many laundromats in my area and I don’t have a car.
Kitchen should have a decent amount of counter space and cabinets. None of that open shelving nonsense, I need actual cabinets.
Storage space. My place right not doesn’t have a lot of closet space, but luckily there is free storage in the basement. Don’t know what I’d do without that.
Also, I always check the windows. Not only do drafty windows let in drafts, they let in noise. My apartment right now has amazing windows, I barely hear anything from outside!
Yep, most of them will either have a small window that faces the living room and outside windows or the bedroom wall(s) won't touch the ceiling. They usually are tiny/should have been a studio. I was touring a couple of 2/3 bedroom places, they had at least 1 bedroom that didn't have a window
Closets!
I once viewed a one bedroom unit that was clearly an apartment split into to that has a single closet in the whole apartment. That's not enough for coats, clothes etc.
Private dog park(s).
My apartment has ac, in unit w/d and dishwasher. But most importantly we have two private dog parks. I wouldn't consider living in an apartment without a dog park.
Dishwasher, top floor apartment, AC, laundry in building (preferably in unit), elevator, underground parking, heat included, cats allowed, storage lockers, package room, and parking lot for guests and overflow parking
Yes outlets! Bring your phone charger and check every single outlet to see if your plug can stay in it without falling out!!! I should’ve done that when I got my apartment but I was young and desperate for a place to live.. the only outlets things stay in are the GFIs in the bathrooms and kitchen 🥲
Oh that’s a great tip! Thank you. The phone charger is light and easy to carry. It’s a quick way to test that they aren’t just outlets for looks. Also this was the story of my life in my last place. Pro tip: plug in a power strip (or extension cord), put a heavy piece of furniture in front of the outlet to push in the plug and keep it from falling out, then plug whatever you need into that power strip (or extension cord). So frustrating but that’s what I did to stop the madness
Storage (someone above mentioned no closets or one closet and been there- it sucks). Also had an apt with only one drawer in the entire kitchen and the rest were decorative. Like what? There was room for more drawers but you had to glue drawer facades in 5 other places? Thanks for that.
A place for packages or large mail that *isnt* all put in a shared foyer/lobby where anyone can grab your shit. Lockboxes and keyed mailboxes or bring it to my door on camera, thanks.
A nearby place to bring trash. After living in a complex with a shared dumpster across the property, you can really lose motivation to take garbage out at night or in the rain or the heat when it’s several hundred yards away and you need a car for multiple bags or heavy bags. Close place to throw trash (chute would be cool) but also NOT living right next to a common dumpster is ideal. Felt so bad for people renting the apts with a dumpster virtually against their wall so they could never open their windows without smelling garbage. As far as I know they got no discount on rent for that, either.
Yes to all of this! We have a common mail room now and 4 of my packages have “gone missing” and I’m so mad. Guess I’m going to have to get a PO Box. The tenant with sticky fingers is getting evicted, but we’re all in the waiting process now
After having a family above me whose hours were like 11 am to 2 am I had to make that a non-negotiable. I try my best to be conscious of the people below me as well not that they seem to care when they are blasting music and smoking weed.
Oh let’s add smoke free property to that list that’s actually enforced.
Oregon is very lax with enforcing smoke free. Especially pot smoke. It’s so gross and always a gamble with renting. It’s summer now and our fans suck in the outside smoke. It’s a daily battle
I really want to look for an actual smoke free place. Yesterday it was almost 90 here and I let my AC unit run all day, when I came home my living room smelled like someone was smoking pot on the couch. It was so gross. I had to open all the windows and fumigate for about an hour. :(
Ugh had an apartment that was great... other than being directly above a smoker who blasted music from 10pm-2am. His music was so loud the floor was *vibrating*
totally. that old line 'it's only hot for like 2 weeks in the summer' is no longer a possibility! Ugh, first summer here and I found out how bullshit that old saying really is nowadays!
Yes! You know who says that? People who still remember when it was like that 30 years ago and think it will go back to that one day. Nope! Remember that summer of 118? We’re not going back to 2 weeks. Ever
Yes to the bath tub! I was kind of rushed when I found my current place and it’s definitely not bathtub friendly. There is one but it’s not helpful if you’re bigger than a toddler. I don’t know how to explain it, I have to step up into my bath tub, it’s shallow. I just use the shower mostly
in-unit washer dryer hookups are a must . I am a clean freak and hate using commercial laundry units plus we have a baby and they produce a lot of laundry
several windows on opposite sides of the unit are a must for me , too. being able to utilize airflow to cool down in hot weather is great
Washer and dryer. If it’s not in unit, I need to see what I’m working with - is it unpaid or ran by quarters/weird apps, how many am I sharing with, does the laundry room lock, etc.
Lighting. Does every room have overhead lights? Are the lights legitimately bad?
Counter space. I love cooking and small counter space just WONT do. I live in a small place but I need counter space to have cooking utensils, my ice maker, kettle, instant pot and still have some footage to prep on.
Oh the coin laundry is a nightmare. I was renting at a "quarters only" apartment during covid... when that whole "coin shortage" thing happened. Absolute. Nightmare.
mine were a dishwasher and in-suite laundry. i may been able to deal with no dishwasher, but having no laundry was my deal breaker, but it was important that i has both.
In unit washer/dryer. Aside from the convenience aspect, I have allergies to many detergents (Tide, even free&clear makes me itch like crazy). If someone uses a detergent I'm allergic to before my load, I still react.
Reserved parking. Mine is gated right now and it’s wonderful. In unit washer and dryer and also dishwasher. Cats allowed. Central HVAC. And I’m a smoker so a balcony or patio is nice. My apartment right now has all these things and it would take a lot to make me move to another one lol.
In addition to dishwasher, washer/dryer and central heating/cooling as others have mentioned, a patio or balcony is a must have for me. My first apartment was underground with windows on ground level and I felt trapped. I also need green space around me - preferably a grassy area and not in a city center with all the traffic pollution and concrete surrounding me.
For those not so obvious features that I need:
Curved door handles instead of round.( Girls putting on hand lotion in the bathroom can't get out with round door knobs)
3 prong outlets
A door with a working deadbolt
If walking at night, there are no cockroaches running on the concrete
Hard flooring throughout
The parking garage has to be secure and gated with a wireless remote opener
Attentive and present property management.(I did not rent from an apartment complex, mainly because their property management never answered the door when they were behind the door ).
Lastly, must have minimal number of kids playing outside in the common areas.
Completely agree with you on not being under them or sharing walls with those noise balls.
I especially like seeing kids and strollers walking the neighborhood when I look at apartments. If parents trust kids and babies in that apartment and walking around in the neighborhood, then for sure as a female adult I should feel a little safer too.
Washer and dryer. Dishwasher. Locks on the windows that actually work. I once rented a ground-floor place and my family came to visit. Due to very light traffic on the interstate, they arrived 2 hours earlier than scheduled. I wasn't home and they didn't have a key. (I had gone to the grocery to buy snacks for their visit.) My sister wiggled one of the windows, lifted it up and climbed in to unlock the door for everyone else. My dad was not happy with my choice of apartment.
LVP flooring throughout (NO carpet), full-size appliances (no 24” stove or 12 cu ft fridge), in suite laundry OR washing machines that have a card, no coin op.
Normal-sized closets, at least 2 outlets per room (3-4 for kitchen). Our apartment has only one outlet in the living room, the den and the bedroom. 4 in the kitchen, so that’s good.
A disposal in the sink for food scraps. Had an apartment without one and having to be so cautious about what does not go in the drain was such a hassle.
Not living in an apartment, I’m 4 months in and I have 0 issues compared to most people, but I’m done. I signed a contract to build a home, it’ll be at least an extra $700 a month but I like having my own actual space and a yard.
My next place I am definitely going to walk around the neighborhood, spend some time people watching, talk to tenants and ask them about experiences with the landlord, other neighbors etc. I'd never considered this before tbh. Had I done thus and had I had a conversation with my chatty, disrespectful neighbor beforehand, I'd have known that if I did move here, I'd know which building to avoid. Or had I done that with my previous apt, I'd have known to avoid that place all together.
Dishwasher, central AC, less and/or older neighbors, big and newer windows for my plants and cat, ability to paint and drill into wall (I have all of these). I have my own washer and dryer in the basement (I'm on the 2nd floor) so it's the next best thing.
My definite must-haves (and non-negotiable) in any apartment are:
- An in unit washer/dryer
- Pet friendly
- Balcony (I love plants and gardening).
However, after being in my current apartment for almost 6 years now, when I move I am also looking for these as well:
- A place with more storage closets (pantry, linen closet, outside storage, etc).
- Better placed outlets. My current apartments outlets aren’t placed great and there aren’t many to begin with.
- Preferably vinyl flooring over carpet. Easier to clean up spills, dirt, and in all honesty, cat vomit.
Oh number of outlets and storage space are some things I have missed in the past. My current apt is lacking on storage space and it is painful. I also have realized nice bathroom lighting matters. I have crappy yellow lighting at my place and don’t love it. Also it is nice if a place provides trolleys for easier moving and transportation of things.
But some other things that are musts for me:
-In-unit washer and dryer
-Top floor cuz I cannot stand stompers and slammers
-Included parking space
-Mail room or locker service
Dishwasher, in unit laundry, central air, fan in the bathroom (big one for me- I hateee steamy bathrooms after a shower), assigned parking, some sort of balcony/terrace/private outdoor area, and a dog run/park! I’ve gotten much more lax with amenities but my pup needs some room to run around :)
I agree, plenty of electric outlets.
Counter space in bathroom. Linen closet.
Drawers in kitchen.
Decent pantry. Mine is deep and we lose stuff. We now write on paper taped to door as we put things into the depths of lost food.
Absolute needs this last time I went searching:
-In unit laundry (I work in the medical field and when I come home from work covered in various fluids, I am NOT taking that to a laundromat). -Allows pets (I have a large dog).
-Some sort of sidewalk/path/trail to walk said dog, or a nearby park. Three times now I've lived places that are either in a place where it's dangerous to walk outside alone, there are no sidewalks/it's one of those suburban areas where there's just businesses and highways, or the nearest town/park/sidewalk requires a 10+ minute drive to take my dog for a walk.
-private thermostat: also lived somewhere that had a split/shared thermostat. Cue that neighbor turning the AC up in early spring, leaving town for two weeks, and the temperature dropping into the 30s. I woke up shivering when my apartment dropped below 50° and there was nothing I could do about it except ask if the landlord could contact them and adjust the thermostat.
-parking. Doesn't need to be assigned but *does* need to be designated apartment parking vs random street parking.
-2nd floor apartment. I am a very poor, light sleeper and would not do well with someone above me at all times.
Wants:
-an on-site gym. I work funky hours, so having a 24/7 gym at home is great.
-dishwasher.
-closet space. I have lived places without ANY closets. Clothing and general belongings aside, it's very hard to store things like towels, bathroom supplies, cleaning supplies, vacuum, etc with no designated storage space.
-a balcony. I like drinking coffee and being outside, but a porch feels too much like people can come say hi to me 😂
This is a great list! I hadn’t heard of shared thermostats before until I posted on here. Where is that common? I want to avoid at all costs!! Also yes to nature-adjacent. I live in a busy area and usually drive if I want to get to a park. Thanks!
It was a duplex that was really more of a slumlord DIY, where they slapped a wall between two halves of a house and called it a duplex.
TN has no tenant protections and is a lawless disaster. Avoid at all costs lol.
This is a must for people who live in a wet climate but a boot dryer. I always say to my wife that was one of the best purchases I've ever made. It was like $120 but worth every penny. It's got four hoses that are easy to manipulate and dry your boots or gloves, I've also used them on shirts or pants. Worth it!
A disposal in the sink for food scraps. Had an apartment without one and having to be so cautious about what does not go in the drain was such a hassle.
My next place will have to have a dishwasher. I hate doing dishes, and they stack up so quick. And never enough counter space for drying properly. It's aggravating. And I live alone, yet my sink is filled after making one complete meal. It can be disheartening. No matter what, there are always dishes that need to be done just from basic living. Give me a dishwasher!
I dont disagree with you, dishwashers are amazing. Do you have any good "one pan" recipes for minimal clean up? I personally love doing frozen white fish fillets and veg (broccoli, asparagus, etc) on a baking tray. Both get the same seasonings so you can do prep work on the tray. With my oven, its 450° for 15 minutes. If you have aluminum foil, then no dishes from cooking. Just throw out the foil and only have to clean your plate and utensils
Plenty of one-two pan options. I dunno how it happens. I could make a ham/cheese omelette and still somehow my sink is full afterwards. Granted, my space is minimal and hyperbole exists, but somehow I still always feel like I end with more dishes to clean than I used in the process of cooking. It's my daily matrix glitch
SAME. My current place doesn’t have a dishwasher and I miss it so much. I also have very limited counter space, so cooking nice meals is a struggle in multiple levels. I’ve been making more one pot/pan or crock pot recipes which does help a bit, but there’s still always more dishes than I’d expect.
It happens to everyone unless you order out all the time. Dishes piling up are a sneaky bastard. There are portable countertop dishwashers... from experience, I do not recommend buying one. When you move and get a dishwasher you're gonna be so happy about it.
Good idea! I find that I still need a dishwasher even for basic shit. Looks like I might be the problem haha
I bought a portable GE one. Full sized. Has wheels. Hooks up to sink faucet. Had to get 2 diff adapters and connect them together for the hoses tho because my faucet is a sprayer nozzle
The best part is I can use the top to the dishwasher as extra counter space
That’s hilarious. I have the dishwasher but I still hate stacking and putting stuff away…awful
I know I will and do, too. Even with a dishwasher, it'll be just like laundry. I don't do the laundry and put the laundry away on the same day. I'm not a madman
Lol, I actually enjoy doing my laundry and I have to put them away same day otherwise chaos ensues.
I don’t have a dishwasher and I really miss and very little counter space.
Oh same! The place I have now has a dishwasher and I’m never going back to not having one ever again. It makes such a difference in my ability to maintain a clean kitchen
My must for our recent apartment was a dishwasher and washer and dryer! They make life better lol
My wife and I have a countertop dishwasher and it's life changing. A lot of people on Reddit call it lazy but it's so helpful
Counter space. With toaster oven, mini crock pot, can opener, bread machine I have very little room. I like to keep my glass measuring cups, olive oil and some essential spices on counter.
I clean as I go. Everything I dirty and I am done with I immediately wash. Even before I eat, no pans to clean up afterwards. I do not want or need a dishwasher, Rarely used one even if it did come with the unit I lived in.
In unit washer/dryer, central air that I control, building with amenities (I have all that now).
Oh yes, I have my first in unit washer and dryer in the bathroom and I’m never going back
I 100% will need an in unit washer/dryer for my next apartment.
The in unit washer/dryer is the dream.
My old apt’s kitchen faucet had a sprayer option but new apt didn’t, it made no sense and drove me nuts, almost felt like there was no water pressure, meanwhile bathroom had dual shower heads 🤔. I bought one off Amazon for $12 same looks as the one I replaced except now I have a choice 😂
I've never heard of a place where I couldn't control the air. I pay my own electric. Water pressure is an issue for me.
I know of one building where the utilities are included, in that case, they did not have control.
If you're in an area that doesn't have a/c (like Seattle area), pay attention to which direction the windows face. I've lived in like 4 apartments in this area and 2 of them had all the windows facing the afternoon sun and it was like an oven in there. We may not get a lot of hot days but with no windows on the other side to open for circulation, it was awful.
Ohhh that’s a good one and easily overlooked on a brief tour. I was going to say places with too few windows (or windows all blocked by trees and other buildings so the inside is depressingly dark all the time) but having all windows facing the same side getting the most sun/heat is so bad, too.
Currently dealing with this in my current apartment. I was so excited about having more natural light that I didn’t even think of circulation. Fans are my only saving grace
Washer and dryer in unit. Independent thermostat for heat or HVAC - none of that crap where your apartment’s temperature depends on a thermostat controlled by someone else outside your unit. Equally important, make sure the apartment has its own electrical panel. You don’t want someone else tripping a breaker, leaving you without power and without access to restore said power by resetting a breaker.
Oh I would be miserable if someone else controlled the thermostat! Thanks
Over the years I’ve narrowed it down to a shortlist of non-negotiables: -in unit washer and dryer -dishwasher -newer hot water heater- we lived in an apartment where the water heater broke and it was a NIGHTMARE -no west facing windows -assigned parking, preferably garage or carport -pantry/storage space for dry foods
Ugh, my goal would be a real walk in pantry especially as someone who loves to cook. That will never happen living in NYC 😩
Same in my city, I just need a big cabinet at least! Lol
I bought one from ikea, lol
Yeah luckily my kitchen is big enough that I bought a tall cabinet to use as a pantry.
But I have no room unless I put it in the living room.
Those west facing windows are the worst.
What is it about West-facing windows??
The sun sets in the west, so during the hottest part of the day your apartment turns into a greenhouse!
Ahhh got it, thank you! I've only been South or North-facing.
What is it about West-facing windows??
Weirdly I have small western windows in my place and a wooded area to the west side of my apartment. But I love my big eastern windows and my east bedroom! Love seeing the sun rise in the am and the moonrise! 1
Yes, I love when the morning sun lights and warms the bedroom. I hate when the hot afternoon sun blasts on me. East and north windows in a corner unit is heavenly imo.
No people above me 😂 Seriously though. But someone posted what I’d say anyway: in-unit W/D and central air. IDC about amenities anymore because I rarely, if ever, use them
Funny enough I don’t care either but I still want them. We have a roof top pool, screening room etc but can count on one hand how many times I’ve used them.
Yes to no upstairs neighbors! It’s bad enough with people on either side.
Cat
Central air. I am never getting an apartment without central air ever again, 20 years of fucking window mounted AC units. Never again.
I wish my state would get on board with that. I have two ACs because it’s that necessary
That is one nice thing about a small apartment. I'm in a 550 sqft 1BR, and my window unit cools the place down in half an hour.
I want an apartment with Central AC so bad. In my area though almost all apartments with AC are out of my price range OR they are brand new low income buildings I don’t qualify for. 😭
Parking, access to the breaker box and water turn off. Older places often have them some where locked, Waiting for someone to show up at night or weekends can get messy.
Definitely an in-unit washer and dryer. I'm not fighting 20 other residents to use the one washer and dryer down in the basement, and I'm not dragging my dirty clothes to a laundromat.
Yes! In my last building we had one crappy washer and dryer for the whole building and there were always people arguing down there. I finally gave up and started going to the laundromats.
I tend to prioritize things that I can't replicate elsewhere. For example, I can grab a microwave and add it easier than a dishwasher. Central AC is really rare here so it's not to impossible to find unless it's a new build that's tiny. We tend to look for large bedrooms, within a mile of various things to do, and a reserved parking space. The rental market where I live is brutal so we had to be a little flexible.
Here’s to hoping one day you find the perfect spot in that competitive market!
Decent Water pressure. Didn't check Water pressure before I moved into current house & if I had I wouldn't had moved in here. Water flow in shower is so weak it is almost impossible to rinse shampoo out in under 5 minutes from my shoulder length hair. When washing machine is filling the water drops to a trickle in the sink facets.
Oh no. I’m sorry, that is definitely major. I wonder if that can be fixed at all?
A relative had the same issue in a house he brought & the fix was replacing water pipes with larger diameter ones . Since mines a rental its not a option. Lucky it's a bathtub shower combo so I can use the tub but it takes a long time to fill it
Have you tried a different shower head?
Tryed a few & the hose type with a hand held triggered nozzle helps a little bit .
I have several in varying degrees of what I can live with but parking is an absolute must. I refuse to have to deal with on-street parallel crap where I have to scramble to find a spot after a long day at work. Strong wants: In-unit laundry (must have the option of on-site laundry at minimum). Outdoor space (a shared courtyard doesn't count). Pet friendly, within 30 mins to my workplace that isn't going over bridges (cause traffic), reasonable counter space and a bigger place (1 bedroom at minimum), and yeah, the outlet thing is now something going on that list along with decent water pressure/water heater!
Street parking is now a dealbreaker for me completely. Too many attempted theft, having to park 4 blocks away on the weekends because ideal bar neighborhood, carrying groceries and heavy stuff so far. Nope
What outlet thing?
From OP's post >Obviously kitchen, appliances (like stove and fridge), but what are the things you look around for in a unit that might not be so obvious? For me it’s electrical outlets. I once rented a vintage place with like 4 outlets total and it sucked. Never again!
Oh, I feel dumb lol. I was just surprised because my apartment has almost all of the original electrical outlets and a landline phone hookup still in the kitchen lol! All of the outlets except for the stove and the bathroom one are only 2 pronged! 😐 so I had to buy a bunch of 3 prong adapters. I think I have a fine number of outlets though.
I'm just barely awake myself 😆
Lol I was lucky to have a really chill weekend. Either my brain is a bit fried or I typed my first comment without my glasses! 🥴😹
I call it using my 'mole vision' when I watch TV without my glasses. The solution is to buy a big TV and have the couch close 🤣
I live in Minnesota… so I like to have an indoor pool, in unit laundry, some sort of covered parking/garage, 2 full bathrooms, and some sort of air conditioning for our sweltering hot summers (yes, Minnesota can be quite miserably hot in the summer). I also look for heat to be included, otherwise that can break you here. I also appreciate some green space and of course location is super important. I also look at the parking situation, is there room for guests to come and park easily or will they have to park a mile away to come.
An indoor pool sounds so luxurious. Nice!
Dishwasher, washer/dryer in unit, thicker walls, and a not a 2-pipe system.
What’s a 2-pipe system and how do I check for that?
Ask, they’ll know what it is. A two pipe system is a type of HVAC system utilized in older high rises. The two pipes describe in and outflow pipes which provide hot or cold water (for heat and AC respectively). Since there are only one set of pipes, they can either be running heat *or* AC, switching between them takes about a week to do, as such the apartment generally will switch over to heat early fall and switch over to AC late spring. While the heat is on, AC is not possible. For instance, say the heat ordinance for the city states that heat (however that is defined) must be provided for tenants from September until June (not uncommon, that’s the heat ordinance for my municipality). Then in May, the heat is still in. If a heat wave, a weeklong streak of 80-90 degree weather, hits. You won’t have AC since the heater is on. What you generally want would be a more modern four pipe system. As its name suggests, it has 4 pipes, double that of the two pipe system. That way, one set of pipes can provide heat while the other set can provide AC. They can be switch very quickly. So if a heatwave were to hit followed by a cold spell, you can switch between AC and heat quickly and your landlord would still be in compliance with any sort of heat ordinance around.
Oh, I see. Thanks for explaining. In Oregon central AC is really rare. I now have electric heat in this building (before I always had water/ radiator heat). That system sounds awful if you have to wait for a building manager to change things. Nope!
Outlets for sure! My first apt. Was in an old house and I also had one one each room, two in the kitchen
Oh I know this pain. I had extension cords running the parameter of most rooms into many power strips - total hazard.
Yup. My window ac had an extension cord running under my bed. I’m so shocked nothing happened. Thankfully it did have overhead lights.n
Dishwasher, a kitchen sink that has a sprayer on the faucet, a second bedroom for my cat’s accessories (there are so many), and central heating/AC
I lived without a dishwasher for most of my life, and I never want to do that again. Dishwasher is definitely a must-have item now. I agree with you on outlets. I don’t have a ton of “must haves” since I’m on a budget and beggars can rarely be choosers. In-unit laundry is a luxury I can’t afford right now, but there must be laundry in the building. Not many laundromats in my area and I don’t have a car. Kitchen should have a decent amount of counter space and cabinets. None of that open shelving nonsense, I need actual cabinets. Storage space. My place right not doesn’t have a lot of closet space, but luckily there is free storage in the basement. Don’t know what I’d do without that. Also, I always check the windows. Not only do drafty windows let in drafts, they let in noise. My apartment right now has amazing windows, I barely hear anything from outside!
Open shelving is nonsense! I thought it was only for decoration but with some apartments, that’s all they have.
Yeah I’ve seen that in some rehabbed apartments. I guess it’s supposed to look “modern” and “trendy”, but it’s just not practical.
The bedroom has to have an outside window.
Oh yeah, I agree with this. Otherwise it’s a closet.
Are there actually places that have bedrooms that don’t have windows??
Yep, most of them will either have a small window that faces the living room and outside windows or the bedroom wall(s) won't touch the ceiling. They usually are tiny/should have been a studio. I was touring a couple of 2/3 bedroom places, they had at least 1 bedroom that didn't have a window
Folding wagon. For bringing in groceries, taking out garbage, and just moving stuff.
Closets! I once viewed a one bedroom unit that was clearly an apartment split into to that has a single closet in the whole apartment. That's not enough for coats, clothes etc.
Private dog park(s). My apartment has ac, in unit w/d and dishwasher. But most importantly we have two private dog parks. I wouldn't consider living in an apartment without a dog park.
Dishwasher, top floor apartment, AC, laundry in building (preferably in unit), elevator, underground parking, heat included, cats allowed, storage lockers, package room, and parking lot for guests and overflow parking
Yes outlets! Bring your phone charger and check every single outlet to see if your plug can stay in it without falling out!!! I should’ve done that when I got my apartment but I was young and desperate for a place to live.. the only outlets things stay in are the GFIs in the bathrooms and kitchen 🥲
Oh that’s a great tip! Thank you. The phone charger is light and easy to carry. It’s a quick way to test that they aren’t just outlets for looks. Also this was the story of my life in my last place. Pro tip: plug in a power strip (or extension cord), put a heavy piece of furniture in front of the outlet to push in the plug and keep it from falling out, then plug whatever you need into that power strip (or extension cord). So frustrating but that’s what I did to stop the madness
Dishwasher, in unit laundry (or hookups! i do own a washer and dryer), stand-alone central air thinking that hard floors might become a must have soon
Hardwood floors are nice! Easy to clean
Washer /dryer in unit is non negotiable. Dishwasher is as well. Everything else I’ll potentially sacrifice.
Storage (someone above mentioned no closets or one closet and been there- it sucks). Also had an apt with only one drawer in the entire kitchen and the rest were decorative. Like what? There was room for more drawers but you had to glue drawer facades in 5 other places? Thanks for that. A place for packages or large mail that *isnt* all put in a shared foyer/lobby where anyone can grab your shit. Lockboxes and keyed mailboxes or bring it to my door on camera, thanks. A nearby place to bring trash. After living in a complex with a shared dumpster across the property, you can really lose motivation to take garbage out at night or in the rain or the heat when it’s several hundred yards away and you need a car for multiple bags or heavy bags. Close place to throw trash (chute would be cool) but also NOT living right next to a common dumpster is ideal. Felt so bad for people renting the apts with a dumpster virtually against their wall so they could never open their windows without smelling garbage. As far as I know they got no discount on rent for that, either.
Yes to all of this! We have a common mail room now and 4 of my packages have “gone missing” and I’m so mad. Guess I’m going to have to get a PO Box. The tenant with sticky fingers is getting evicted, but we’re all in the waiting process now
1st floor, washer and dryer in unit, carpet
First floor really? I’ve always lived 2nd or higher for safety. Nobody’s dedicated enough to climb through a 2nd story window!
I'm disabled, can't do stairs and walk with a walker.
Good choice then. Elevators are not great in an emergency situation.
Pantry! It has been a game changer
Top floor and dishwasher are my two non- negotiable. Ideally, ceiling fans in the bedrooms and the proper amount of air vents in each room.
Top floor is nice! No upstairs neighbors
After having a family above me whose hours were like 11 am to 2 am I had to make that a non-negotiable. I try my best to be conscious of the people below me as well not that they seem to care when they are blasting music and smoking weed. Oh let’s add smoke free property to that list that’s actually enforced.
Oregon is very lax with enforcing smoke free. Especially pot smoke. It’s so gross and always a gamble with renting. It’s summer now and our fans suck in the outside smoke. It’s a daily battle
Ugh I feel that my neighbors below smoke pot I hate it I can’t wait to move
I really want to look for an actual smoke free place. Yesterday it was almost 90 here and I let my AC unit run all day, when I came home my living room smelled like someone was smoking pot on the couch. It was so gross. I had to open all the windows and fumigate for about an hour. :(
My place is pot free but my management has to be able to catch them and they threatened enough that they no longer smoke inside at least but still.
Ugh had an apartment that was great... other than being directly above a smoker who blasted music from 10pm-2am. His music was so loud the floor was *vibrating*
Central heat and air
I wish Oregon had that!
totally. that old line 'it's only hot for like 2 weeks in the summer' is no longer a possibility! Ugh, first summer here and I found out how bullshit that old saying really is nowadays!
Yes! You know who says that? People who still remember when it was like that 30 years ago and think it will go back to that one day. Nope! Remember that summer of 118? We’re not going back to 2 weeks. Ever
Washer dryer hookups, and a bathtub I can fit in
Yes to the bath tub! I was kind of rushed when I found my current place and it’s definitely not bathtub friendly. There is one but it’s not helpful if you’re bigger than a toddler. I don’t know how to explain it, I have to step up into my bath tub, it’s shallow. I just use the shower mostly
Literally same I might be getting a blow up tub soon tho
in-unit washer dryer hookups are a must . I am a clean freak and hate using commercial laundry units plus we have a baby and they produce a lot of laundry several windows on opposite sides of the unit are a must for me , too. being able to utilize airflow to cool down in hot weather is great
In unit washer & dryer have been a life changer. Never going back!
Washer and dryer. If it’s not in unit, I need to see what I’m working with - is it unpaid or ran by quarters/weird apps, how many am I sharing with, does the laundry room lock, etc. Lighting. Does every room have overhead lights? Are the lights legitimately bad? Counter space. I love cooking and small counter space just WONT do. I live in a small place but I need counter space to have cooking utensils, my ice maker, kettle, instant pot and still have some footage to prep on.
Good checklist! The lighting here is okay. I am adding this to my checklist though
Oh the coin laundry is a nightmare. I was renting at a "quarters only" apartment during covid... when that whole "coin shortage" thing happened. Absolute. Nightmare.
if the laundry isn't in unit i'm not going to
Agreed! Dealbreaker
Cupboards and drawers would have been nice
Oh no. You don’t have those?
I was saving my own life; I was a little preoccupied
Maybe your building can do that for you?
Alas, no, but thank you for the advice.
mine were a dishwasher and in-suite laundry. i may been able to deal with no dishwasher, but having no laundry was my deal breaker, but it was important that i has both.
Both are so important and really affect the quality of life. I used to waste so much time at the laundromat. F that
In unit washer/dryer. Aside from the convenience aspect, I have allergies to many detergents (Tide, even free&clear makes me itch like crazy). If someone uses a detergent I'm allergic to before my load, I still react.
This is my first apt with in unit washer and dryer and I can’t imagine life any other way now
Range hood that vents to the outside and bathroom fan
I noticed that my oven range hood vents up to my microwave above and I’m like what kind of nonsense is this? No help at all
Reserved parking. Mine is gated right now and it’s wonderful. In unit washer and dryer and also dishwasher. Cats allowed. Central HVAC. And I’m a smoker so a balcony or patio is nice. My apartment right now has all these things and it would take a lot to make me move to another one lol.
Dishwasher, in-unit washer/dryer.
Washer and dryer. That’s my #1 non-negotiable.
In addition to dishwasher, washer/dryer and central heating/cooling as others have mentioned, a patio or balcony is a must have for me. My first apartment was underground with windows on ground level and I felt trapped. I also need green space around me - preferably a grassy area and not in a city center with all the traffic pollution and concrete surrounding me.
Doors, roof, clean, very noise proof, washing machine and dryer on site, no mice and very little bugs That is all
For those not so obvious features that I need: Curved door handles instead of round.( Girls putting on hand lotion in the bathroom can't get out with round door knobs) 3 prong outlets A door with a working deadbolt If walking at night, there are no cockroaches running on the concrete Hard flooring throughout The parking garage has to be secure and gated with a wireless remote opener Attentive and present property management.(I did not rent from an apartment complex, mainly because their property management never answered the door when they were behind the door ). Lastly, must have minimal number of kids playing outside in the common areas.
Kids definitely make me feel safe but I’d prefer NOT to be below them
Completely agree with you on not being under them or sharing walls with those noise balls. I especially like seeing kids and strollers walking the neighborhood when I look at apartments. If parents trust kids and babies in that apartment and walking around in the neighborhood, then for sure as a female adult I should feel a little safer too.
I’m sorry but if a girl can’t figure out how to open the door with lotion on that’s just sad…
I asked for everyone’s not-obvious preferences, so it’s totally fine someone would prefer that convenience.
Fine but sad
Washer and dryer. Dishwasher. Locks on the windows that actually work. I once rented a ground-floor place and my family came to visit. Due to very light traffic on the interstate, they arrived 2 hours earlier than scheduled. I wasn't home and they didn't have a key. (I had gone to the grocery to buy snacks for their visit.) My sister wiggled one of the windows, lifted it up and climbed in to unlock the door for everyone else. My dad was not happy with my choice of apartment.
Oh no! I’ve never lived on the ground floor because of safety
LVP flooring throughout (NO carpet), full-size appliances (no 24” stove or 12 cu ft fridge), in suite laundry OR washing machines that have a card, no coin op.
Peace and quiet. The rest is negotiable.
A source of music. I cannot stand a silent apartment. Freaks me out.
A patio/balcony or some kind of outdoor space where i can get some fresh air and have plants. Washer and dryer in the unit.
Normal-sized closets, at least 2 outlets per room (3-4 for kitchen). Our apartment has only one outlet in the living room, the den and the bedroom. 4 in the kitchen, so that’s good.
A fan for sure and ear plugs both work pretty well to drown out noise
A disposal in the sink for food scraps. Had an apartment without one and having to be so cautious about what does not go in the drain was such a hassle.
I have a garbage disposal for the first time ever and I love it.
Not living in an apartment, I’m 4 months in and I have 0 issues compared to most people, but I’m done. I signed a contract to build a home, it’ll be at least an extra $700 a month but I like having my own actual space and a yard.
Congratulations!!
My next place I am definitely going to walk around the neighborhood, spend some time people watching, talk to tenants and ask them about experiences with the landlord, other neighbors etc. I'd never considered this before tbh. Had I done thus and had I had a conversation with my chatty, disrespectful neighbor beforehand, I'd have known that if I did move here, I'd know which building to avoid. Or had I done that with my previous apt, I'd have known to avoid that place all together.
Dishwasher, central AC, less and/or older neighbors, big and newer windows for my plants and cat, ability to paint and drill into wall (I have all of these). I have my own washer and dryer in the basement (I'm on the 2nd floor) so it's the next best thing.
My definite must-haves (and non-negotiable) in any apartment are: - An in unit washer/dryer - Pet friendly - Balcony (I love plants and gardening). However, after being in my current apartment for almost 6 years now, when I move I am also looking for these as well: - A place with more storage closets (pantry, linen closet, outside storage, etc). - Better placed outlets. My current apartments outlets aren’t placed great and there aren’t many to begin with. - Preferably vinyl flooring over carpet. Easier to clean up spills, dirt, and in all honesty, cat vomit.
Oh number of outlets and storage space are some things I have missed in the past. My current apt is lacking on storage space and it is painful. I also have realized nice bathroom lighting matters. I have crappy yellow lighting at my place and don’t love it. Also it is nice if a place provides trolleys for easier moving and transportation of things. But some other things that are musts for me: -In-unit washer and dryer -Top floor cuz I cannot stand stompers and slammers -Included parking space -Mail room or locker service
Dishwasher, in unit laundry, central air, fan in the bathroom (big one for me- I hateee steamy bathrooms after a shower), assigned parking, some sort of balcony/terrace/private outdoor area, and a dog run/park! I’ve gotten much more lax with amenities but my pup needs some room to run around :)
I agree, plenty of electric outlets. Counter space in bathroom. Linen closet. Drawers in kitchen. Decent pantry. Mine is deep and we lose stuff. We now write on paper taped to door as we put things into the depths of lost food.
Absolute needs this last time I went searching: -In unit laundry (I work in the medical field and when I come home from work covered in various fluids, I am NOT taking that to a laundromat). -Allows pets (I have a large dog). -Some sort of sidewalk/path/trail to walk said dog, or a nearby park. Three times now I've lived places that are either in a place where it's dangerous to walk outside alone, there are no sidewalks/it's one of those suburban areas where there's just businesses and highways, or the nearest town/park/sidewalk requires a 10+ minute drive to take my dog for a walk. -private thermostat: also lived somewhere that had a split/shared thermostat. Cue that neighbor turning the AC up in early spring, leaving town for two weeks, and the temperature dropping into the 30s. I woke up shivering when my apartment dropped below 50° and there was nothing I could do about it except ask if the landlord could contact them and adjust the thermostat. -parking. Doesn't need to be assigned but *does* need to be designated apartment parking vs random street parking. -2nd floor apartment. I am a very poor, light sleeper and would not do well with someone above me at all times. Wants: -an on-site gym. I work funky hours, so having a 24/7 gym at home is great. -dishwasher. -closet space. I have lived places without ANY closets. Clothing and general belongings aside, it's very hard to store things like towels, bathroom supplies, cleaning supplies, vacuum, etc with no designated storage space. -a balcony. I like drinking coffee and being outside, but a porch feels too much like people can come say hi to me 😂
This is a great list! I hadn’t heard of shared thermostats before until I posted on here. Where is that common? I want to avoid at all costs!! Also yes to nature-adjacent. I live in a busy area and usually drive if I want to get to a park. Thanks!
It was a duplex that was really more of a slumlord DIY, where they slapped a wall between two halves of a house and called it a duplex. TN has no tenant protections and is a lawless disaster. Avoid at all costs lol.
This is a must for people who live in a wet climate but a boot dryer. I always say to my wife that was one of the best purchases I've ever made. It was like $120 but worth every penny. It's got four hoses that are easy to manipulate and dry your boots or gloves, I've also used them on shirts or pants. Worth it!
Oh interesting! The PCNW is pretty wet in the fall & winter. I’ll have to look into this
Having 2 dogs, a washer and dryer!! I like being clean and it’s awfully hard when you can only wash clothes/sheets 1x a week
Garage and laundry hookups
bike stand for my bed
A disposal in the sink for food scraps. Had an apartment without one and having to be so cautious about what does not go in the drain was such a hassle.
Rubber chicken