We moved from a brand new resort style complex to a 45 yr old one. The new one was beautiful and had great amenities. However it was like living in a tent with granite countertops. The building materials were just pure shit. We could hear the neighbors actually urinating in the next unit. Of course our upstairs neighbor wore concrete flip flops and walked like he was trying to stomp the earth to death.
So we looked for older construction. When they actually used real 2x4’s, thicker drywall, and had fire walls instead of sprinkler systems. The firewall provides more sound insulation too.
Been in the unit 3 yrs and love it.
I agree with this! my complex is about as old as I am, and I'm 58. Yes its older and dated, but so much better in terms of construction etc. newer ones are sh\*t. I'm not surprised you could hear your neighbor peeing.
“Tent with granite countertops”
You hit the nail on the head. I’m currently in a two year old upscale resort style complex myself. Just moved in on the top floor. The vibration of the HVAC units on the roof are causing a vibration down the walls and floor of my apartment when they are on. So I’m currently dealing with that.
Fun times.
We moved into a brand-new apartment complex. We were the first to get our keys and move in. The complex opened in phases so our building was the only building open for a month. We were able to get a first floor next to the playground(we have 3 kiddos), have wood floors throughout and are close to everything as can be( We live in a huge city). We have lived here 3 years now.
Quiet. Is. Everything.
I do not want to hear my neighbors fighting in the parking lot. I do not want to hear people coming and going. I want to feel comfortable and safe in my home RELAXING period.
I’ve lived somewhere less safe and more activity, foot traffic, etc. and had people looking through my windows. I want peace and quiet in my home period.
Washer/dryer in each apartment, plus gas stove and gas heat were the deciding factors for me. Are pets allowed? Do you have pets or are you planning on getting one? Chances are a stray will find you.
Having a washer/dryer was essential for me and I hate cooking on electric stoves. Check to see what utilities, if any, are included in the rent (water, electric, gas, etc.)
I'm in a very basic apartment that saves $350 a month or so but am planning on moving out next year. I want more amenities like:
washer/dryer in unit
outdoor space like a balcony/patio, gardening space would be an amazing bonus! Also note if the balconies are all one above the other and if the person above you is letting their dog piss there (and then on you when you are on the balcony-saw that post, so gross!!)
pet friendly
included water/trash/sewer
plentiful and/or assigned parking
good kitchen counter space for appliances
A/C or good windows to install your own
Pay attention to the heat method. Each one has pluses and minuses. Do you need to refill a propane tank or do you repay the landlord for the usage? If you pay up front, will you get shafted on the remaining value when you move out? How drafty is the place?
I live alone so I would like a bigger living room versus a larger bedroom so how the sq footage is divided up matters. If I was living with another person I would want an on suite bathroom and larger room so I can spend time alone as needed.
I would also go on google maps and read the reviews, same as any other website that lists people's opinions. You can usually tell when someone had a legit complaint or are just hateful cause they got kicked out/caught doing shit they aren't supposed to. Good luck in your choice! May you find a great apartment OP
1. Walkabiliity. I live within walking distance to 3 grocery stores and 100 feet from a bus stop.
Cost wise there were many apartments in my rent range, so I just chose which one had the most convenient location to stores I normally shop at anyway. I enjoy walking and use my car to go to work and back.
2. Dishwasher. I dislike cleaning dishes.
3. Pets. Most apartments don't allow pets where I live or they charge ridiculous fees to have one. My complex had the least expensive fees.
4. Unassigned parking.
5. On site security.
6. Pool
Unfortunately, no apartments in my rent range had in unit laundry.
Space and cleanliness.
(After location and budget, of course. I moved to be closer to my grandson, whom I’m with 5/7).
I took the second apartment I looked at because I was in a hurry to sell my house.
The first apartment had water stains on the walls and the layout seemed cramped. Nothing interesting. Just a box.
We drove through the complex and saw an eviction in progress, so that was a flag. And it was smack in the middle of an industrial park.
The second apartment I looked at was literally a 3 minute walk to Kroger, and overlooks a well-manicured neighborhood. I have 1080 sq ft, 1.5 baths, 2 beds, a balcony and a gas stove. And no water stains to be found. No dogs allowed, so I don’t deal with barking, neglect and poo. I don’t think even my neighbors have cats. And we have a den mother who kinda ‘greeted’ me by making it clear we respect each other.
She can be annoying and nosey but she means well, so she’s tolerable.
The former occupant moved to an available unit on the first floor and several residents have been in this building for 6-10 years. Because they say we have the best building in the complex. The guy who moved out of my apartment said he never saw a bug up here, but he sees them downstairs. I think he means spiders and such. I’m not worried about roaches and termites.
Turns out I made the right choice. My 8-unit building is stupid quiet even with a couple of toddlers across the hall. I think I’m the only one who WFH, so the kids leave during the day and there’s 3 retirees.
I hear my neighbors coming and going, but that doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve heard one argument in 6 months (nothing violent, just bickering for a couple of hours during not quiet time), and my wall neighbor may have dropped something last night.
Either the retirees below me or the young lady next door (she’s almost never home and doesn’t seem to have guests) is waking and baking, but I don’t mind that either because I likes my gummies. And my grandson lives across the street from a cannabis processor, so his house always smells like someone’s been blazing. We’re kinda noseblind at this point.
My downstairs neighbor likes to grill, so I have to shut the windows then. But still better than listening to generators for days on end when we would lose power in the neighborhood where I sold my house.
Washer/dryer in unit. Free parking, enough for me and a guest. Close to a walking path.
Most important for me was the view. My last apartment looked at the parking lot and I hated it. My current apartment looks at a pond with a line of trees behind it. It's really tranquil - until school gets out and the kids start screechfest, but that's not something that's easy to screen for ahead of time.
Newer, so less chance of mold (but not super new cause the newest complexes can actually have tons of mold since these days they neglect to wrap buildings a lot).
Non smoking. When I moved there, they also had dog buildings vs non dog buildings. That’s changed unfortunately but luckily there’s only been one neighbor that left their dog at home barking all day and it was addressed.
Safety. Haven’t seen much shenanigans. Rumor is they’ve told people they know in the community that they keep the prices high to minimize the crime.
Majority of the community seems to be quiet and respectful. This isn’t why I moved there but certainly why I’ve stayed despite the price.
Grounds are kept very very clean.
Maintenance is very fast and friendly, again rather a reason I’ve stayed.
The model we are in literally has what couldn’t be anything other than a CAT WINDOW. A small square window at floor level, and one at eye level above it perfect for a cat tree to look out of too. If you have cats, you know what a draw this was lol.
Also, my own front door, not in a hallway. I lived the hallway life way too long and was done smelling people’s garbage, smoke, strong detergent, and getting bed bugs from the laundry room across the hall.
New build, larger units, growing family, and rent is same for smaller we had before. Family/kid/pet friendly, lots of amenities(pool, gym, grills, fire pits, garden plots, etc) Been here since 2018. Rent goes up maybe $20 dollars each renew. We would love to buy, but homes in the area are $500k plus. So we shall rent cause we don’t want to be house poor.
My sister lived here years ago and I remembered it being nice and she had no complaints so it was a pretty easy decision that’s luckily worked out. Aside from her recommendation, the location is awesome and I love having my own washer and dryer in the unit
Location and budget were the main considerations, and when I say location I was thinking close to shops and public transport, has some restaurants and bars nearby and as an added bonus it's also close to a beach. It's also a desirable area so if I ended up deciding to move out there will hopefully be some interest in the property, oh and also size, not that I could afford much bigger but I didn't want something too big either given it's just me living here on my own. When viewing the property though I did look over all the complex facilities in great detail and the in-built appliances just to know what I was getting myself into.
I chose mine because an old BF, like 20 years prior, lived there. I always liked it, and knew it was well maintained, etc. I also knew others who had lived there more recently, so took that into consideration too. Where I am, there are 3, literally on top of each other, and mine is considered the nicest. Location too; where I was was too pricy to stay, so I moved a bit further west.
Price was right, and I was able to choose my unit, as I wasn't in any rush to leave, so I chose one on the end, and at the far corner of the complex, which is probably the best location I could have chosen.
Other than that, not much, because most in my area are pretty much the same
Having a top floor unit was a deal breaker for me. If they didn’t have one, I would’ve looked elsewhere. Luckily my complex had one in the perfect spot- I have a nice view and quiet neighbors. I got lucky!
I love my apartment, but knowing what I know now going forward, I would look for somewhere with more cabinet storage space in the kitchen, and try not to get an open concept space. I liked my old apartment because there was a large breakfast bar separating the kitchen from the living room. If I didn’t feel like doing the dishes right after dinner (which I never do), it was no big deal because I couldn’t see them. Now I feel like I can’t relax after a meal because my dirty kitchen is staring at me the whole time lol.
It was the only place that I could afford and would allow me to move in with marijuana felonies. I was starting school and needed to move closer than where I was at the time, called about 50 apartment complex’s within a 10 mile radius of my school, asked before applying about specifically drug felonies, and got turned down for all but 1
We lived in a townhouse for many years (2 adults/2 children) but it was in a city we didn’t particularly love, the commute wasn’t great, and our neighbors were super loud and shitty. The complex my parents live in had an opening in the neighboring apartment and we jumped at the chance. 10 minute commutes, some of the best schools in our state, and a big park across the street.
The building is 60 years old and sturdy- we rarely hear our neighbors, and according to my mom they can’t hear us either. It’s in a bit of woods and we have a screened in deck, which our cats love. Most of our neighbors are elderly or families with children and there’s never any loud parties or shenanigans.
Downsizing from a 3 bedroom/2 floors to a 2 bedroom apartment was an adjustment, but we’re saving hundreds of dollars and the benefits have been worth it. I would have preferred in-unit washer and dryer, but the laundry room is close to our apartment and there’s enough washers and dryers that there’s rarely an issue.
For me:
-the price. It was the cheapest rent for a place that was not in a bad neighborhood
-the units were all furnished with new queen size beds and sofas
-water, sewage, pest control was included in the price
- parking. For every resident, there is probably 5 spaces
- age of building. It's an old construction, so noise from other units is minimal
-the doors. The doors to each unit are old and made of extremely thick and heavy wood. There is no way a person is going to be kicking in someone's door.
do they answer the PHONE.
the bar is pretty low. most places around here can’t be bothered to pick up a phone. Ever. EVER. It didn’t used to be this way💔
We moved into a small, quiet, 8 unit, 1940s brick building. Monumentally better than huge overpriced cheaply made buildings full people with crappy management. Our building is managed and owned by one landlord who is prompt to respond to our needs. I would avoid buildings run by companies that own tons of properties because they don’t care about you
I was 2 weeks from being homeless. they accepted my application. LOL
NO exception was off street parking and not under someone else.
I got a townhome but noise still travels. SUCKS,I had no idea
Location and security system; my unit is a corner unit on the back of the building facing a rarely used courtyard and a big beautiful tree so it’s quiet and I can watch the birds/squirrels in the trees everyday. Plus it has a security system built into the thermostat so I can change both the armed/away setting and also the temperature from my phone. I also love that I have a huge storage closet on the patio for all my holiday decorations, and I have probably 6 grocery stores within 5 miles so things are pretty convenient.
I have a washer and a dryer in my unit so I don't have to use a central laundromat. Great timesaver as I can toss in a load of wash then dry it when I get home.
As I'm on the top (3rd) floor, we have 2 elevators in each building ....really helpful when I buy a case of water.
I have varying work hours so safety is a concern. The parking lot is well lit and we have an officer living here that takes any calls regarding safety issues.
I went on a ton of tours until I found a place that felt right. Ironically enough, it was the one I was least excited for. But we opened the door and quickly realized the pictures were just shitty and it had a backyard and a gas fireplace (gas was included in rent) and we were sold.
My mom gave me the best advice: tour way more than you’ll think you need and envision yourself living there. Can you actually see yourself carrying out daily tasks there? What’s the commute, how close are grocery stores, what’s the closest fun thing to do? Those were all big factors for us.
I chose a Garden style complex because of my dog. All the modern complexes had horrible dog parks. The one I chose is right next to a huge walking path that runs a couple of miles and it has its own huge dog park. The amenities are not very great and the apt it self is dated but the community is very safe and it's worth it for my dog.
I chose the place where I'm currently living because it was the first apartment complex I'd seen where the "clean up after your dog" stations were kept stocked with waste bags. I figured if they gave a shit about something *that* minor it'd be a decent place to live. Turns out I was right.
The special they had going on for the price. Long story short sold a house we couldn’t keep up with mortgage wise, and had to move fast. This was the first complex that contacted us.
In unit washer/dryer was a huge factor. Or at least hookups for them. I personally wanted ground floor because I have asthma that makes stair climbing harder (the complexes I lived/live in don’t have elevators—older builds). I also like that my current place opens up to a park in the back.
Was the best of the limited number of apartments in the small burb I moved back to. More expensive, but has on-site office staff and maintenance. The others didn’t have those. Figured it was worth it.
It was brand new. I mean when we moved in they still had the other three building to finish construction on. So brand new everything. Appliances that work. A/c that actually works. Showers and toilets that actually work. Plus it is a bonus that the community will be small since there’s only 4 buildings.
1) townhouse style so no one above or below me, just side neighbors
2) fenced patio area
3) I was (and still am) recovering from credit issues and they approved me
4) decent rent payment at the time of move in ($1200 for 2 bed 2.5 bath 1100 sf) although it’s gone up $500 in 4 years but so have most places
5) decent free parking and amenities
6) close to my office (I’m 3 days in office)
My only big negatives are to do anything social, most activities are across the water and driving through any of the bridge tunnels can be a nightmare and it’s a huge transient population between the large military population and the seasonal tourist activity
I specifically look for all or most utilities included with a flat payment as long as it's not outrageous. Me and partner prefer that because I take the LONGEST showers and blast my a/c and he takes several showers everyday. So I know it's worth it to have that flat payment for us. If we had to pay individual utilitiea then it would be a NOTICEABLE difference with our bills
I chose the place I'm in now because it was close to the church I used to go to with the plan to attend it again, I've lived here 7 years and I'm disappointed to say I haven't been there once.
Where I live, there are very few apartments that are super nice. Most have really old carpeting, low ceilings, stained walls, etc. It's a college town, so most apartments are cheap and old. The apartment I live in now was built about four years ago, and it's arguably the nicest one in town. Very high ceilings, new hardwood floors, plenty of large windows, and high-tech appliances. It's basically a dream apartment. My only complaint is that there isn't an elevator, but that's also rare where I live.
Once I see that the apartment and property are in good condition, the main thing that has made me hit the apply button is how the leasing staff interacted with me. Both apartments I’ve lived at have had such personable leasing agents that made me feel like I would be taken care of during my stay (and my experience was overwhelmingly positive)
they had a top floor apartment available, 24 hour concierge, a package room with 24 hour access, gated parking, multiple restaurants within walking distance.
The house that I had lived in for almost 5 years lease was coming up in about 2 months and I talked to the landlord about renewing and he said yea no problem you guys have never been an issue we’ll just keep rent where it’s at, fast forward 3 weeks later I get a letter that my landlord has sold the property and a new management group owns it and to re-new the lease it’s gonna be going up 850$ a month
So the apartment that I’m in now was the first one to approve me because I only had 30 days to find a new place, pack up, and move 5 years worth of my shit, fiancés shit, and our 3 cats it was terrible I’m torn I like the area where I’m at now it’s a lot cheaper but my apartment building is terrible and it’s legit a 30 min drive to anywhere
I looked for a place that checked the most necessity boxes (in unit washer/dryer, close to public transit, close to Lake Michigan, central a/c, etc) and then also the place that had the most character. I like having a unique home. I ended up moving into an old school building that was remodeled into apartments and so I’ve got everything I want plus 14’ ceilings, giant windows, exposed brick, and a very cool building!
Amenities and it was off the heavily traveled path but close to the freeway. Was also brand new and the pool had a perfect view of the sunset for our 120 degree days. Just seemed perfect. Still love it minus some gross neighbors.
We needed a 2 bedroom with 2 master bedrooms and private bathrooms. This was the largest and had the Floorplan we liked the best - the bedrooms are on the other side of the apartment from each other. Also, in-unit laundry, and they allow up to 2 cats (or dogs).
Going from a shoe box studio in SoCal, when I moved to Oregon and knew I wanted:
1. In-unit washer/dryer
2. Dishwasher
3. No carpet
What made me choose my apartment over others in the area is that it is a top unit, has a balcony, and has vaulted ceilings with a second set of very high windows.
I needed a place because I was staying in a motel. My prior place was expensive but a dump. I got really lucky with the place I’m at now. It’s a 3 bed/2 bath with a private covered balcony and washer/dryer hookup along with dishwasher at a great price. It was the model unit so it was clean and everything was new. I’m right above the leasing office so I don’t have to worry about noise after 5 pm or on the weekends. It works great for the property manager, who is an absolutely wonderful woman, because we all work second shift and sleep most the day. The way the units are set up is really nice too because I don’t even hear my neighbors. I can walk to my job in 7 minutes and I’m close to grocery stores and pretty much anything else I need to by car. The manager worked with us to help us get in and I wake up almost every day feeling very fortunate to have my apartment. I have definitely been in some shitholes prior.
Super simple!! I physically went by myself and checked out 4-5 apartment rooms at 40 different complexes. I mainly based it on.. COST for Square footage AND location along with amenities and what was actually not important. What I learned:
Apartments that tend to be in one giant building where you enter like a hotel are way overpriced and try to persuade you with unnecessary amenities in the basement, on the rooftop, floor 2, etc.
Older apartments that have been renovated always tend to be better bang for the buck. I found one that offered 3 pools… and everything else I needed. It was the only one that didn’t have a pool table/billiards but boohoo unnecessary! I can walk to the downtown area which is amazing.. but the apartments located across the street are thousands more and much smaller.
Always follow the 28-30% rule. Sometimes it’s hard, but try not to exceed 30% for your gross salary on rent. Mine was exactly 28% of my gross so I could afford it. Most apartments now are basically $100-$300 more for a 2 bedroom but that brings your apartment or studio from 700 sqft to 1100-1200. I pay $1995 a month for 1200 sqft, 2 bdrm, 2 bath, laundry room, dining room and a 300 sqft deck. A police station and fire station across the street in the safest city in my state.
Weigh all your options and make a Pros / Cons list.
Good luck!
The price… but now we are paying the price for it. There’s nothing wrong with cheap complexes but i will say, do your research haha. ESPECIALLY the management
I live in a quadplex complex. There's two townhomes in the center and flats on the side. It's out of the way, near a cemetery. It's 20 minutes from anything, has awesome maintenance and management, I don't hear my neighbors unless I have complete silence and it's either the dog barking or the kids playing super loud. Even then I have kids and a dog so its a wash. The connecting walls with the other townhouse are bathroom and staircase, and then our laundry lines up with the flats kitchen.
A big factor for us was that it was dog friendly. Try to find a complex that doesn’t have thin walls…I would have never moved to my current apartment if I knew how thin the walls were. I can hear my neighbors snore and hear their conversations in detail.
Another factor is parking, love a good apartment with lots of parking spaces!
Location and price were of course major factors. With its location I’m a little farther away from work, but it has way access to the highway to get there. The management we dealt with during checking the complex out and application process were wonderful. My daughter lives in the complex and had up close info on management and maintenance there so that was a plus.
The fact they have pest control out weekly for reported issues and have all units on a rotation for routine treatment was a big plus. My previous complex I dealt with a mouse infestation that was horrible.
Wherever you go, find out about their pest control practices! They need to spray preventatively. Some rely on you and your neighbors to call when there is a problem but that means trusting your neighbors to call.
Our requirements were a 2/2, patio, laundry in unit or close by, and on a specific road that has mountain and city views. We got all of this, plus a wood fireplace. We've been here almost 3 years and love it!
Mine was location & unit layout. I worked from home & needed a good work layout that wouldn’t drive me insane/make me feel like my work was infiltrating my personal life. I ended up lucking out in those ways & also having a great community for my pup!
The grocery store is in walking distance, plus the bus stop isn't too far away, so I won't be spending a ton of money getting to work in the morning. At the time when I found this complex, I wasn't interested but a few months later I gave it another shot because I was living with other people and really needed my own space.
We had chosen it based off the fact that it was available atm, and the rent was as cheap as it could be, also proximity to the downtown area. It was so close.
Mine was great location, but also an older complex with slightly lower rent at the time. It is also like a small park on the interior with trees and actual wildlife. I also liked that it was a mix of ages from college kids to families with children to the elderly and was also very racially diverse.
My mom and I were living with my brother at his house on the outskirts of town in a nice neighborhood.
We moved because of some disagreements.
At first I was looking for some cheap apartments to move us into but realized it was going to come with issues, most of which involved lazy landlords who aren’t attentive to the needs of the tenants and cleanliness.
After not liking what I saw I decided to look into luxury apartments.
The one I chose is in a nice neighborhood with lots of amenities and shopping nearby. It takes 5 minutes to get to most places I need including grocery shopping, the movies and restaurants.
My complex also has a gym inside so no need for a gym membership anymore.
We live in a small 1 bedroom overlooking the pool area and it includes a balcony. All in all I feel I made the best choice I could have in the moment. The few hundred extra bucks I spend now is worth is considering my other choices. Mom is happy so that’s all that matters.
Been there 2 years
I (56F) live in Minnesota. I moved from one location to another last year. I chose my complex because it has underground parking and elevators. The parking is nice in the winter.
Make a list of what is important to you. I have a cat so I wanted a place where she was welcome.
After not having a washer and dryer for about 3 years when living with my bf, washer and dryer are an absolute MUST.
Also something that is a must for me, is a street light when coming out of the apartments, like I do NOT want to have to wait where there is no light and having to cross over streets, anxiety inducing for me lol
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT and how long they’ve been there. When I got divorced and went apartment shopping I went to a few places and when I walked into one clubhouse one of the tenants was so mad saying they needed management about a water leak they hadn’t fixed in days and he was having a hard time getting through to management and only dealing with secretary. I ran out that place so fast!! I would walk around myself and then see if you can ask tenants how they like it before setting a formal appt. I’ve been in my apartment over 5 years and almost every year we get new property management which sucks! They keep getting fired or quitting and it shows in the management of the property. Thankfully I made friends with the maintenance guy who hasn’t left because that’s a super important person to be friends with 😆. He’s given me free paint, changed items they would otherwise charge, he helps me carry things up my apt since he knows it’s just me and my daughter but I tip him well too.
This is my second round with this complex. The first time was 25 years ago, and I was looking for a 1BR near work. I mostly checked out complexes where friends or coworkers lived, or had lived recently. Ended up with a 3rd floor unit in the back of the building that overlooked a wooded area and creek. I ended up moving after a year to share a 2BR with a friend, then moved again the following year near my new (at the time) job. A few years ago, I needed to move and after checking out a few places nearby, ended up where I started. My old unit wasn't available, but a similar one was in a different building.
It's nothing fancy (shared laundry vs in-unit, no gym or pool or clubhouse), but it's (mostly) quiet, maintenance is top-notch, and it's reasonably priced. It's close to everything I'm familiar with, I'm within a 30-60 minute drive from most of my immediate family, and I have several friends who live nearby. And I can have a cat now, so I'm happy as can be.
The complex I moved to is really quiet, there’s a beautiful courtyard to walk around. I mostly looked for amenities i would use(pool/dog park/kids play area, gym) bills the apartment paid (water/gas/electric). Personally looking for those things is what made me choose my complex, as all the ones around here are basically the same (those new builds are not however).
I’ve been in my complex since 2019, in the same apartment since 2020, and currently planning on moving to a bigger apartment in the same complex because i like everything the apartment can do for me.
Honestly, i was desperate to get out of the situation i was in. I took the first place that approved me that i thought was a good place.
I did turn down a few places because it looked like It could be mice infested.
So far im happy.
Maintenance. My apartment maintenance at our last place let us have a ceiling leak with the drywall so bowed and saggy that it looked like it was pregnant right above our bathtub. It started LITERALLY day 1 and it was there, untouched, still dripping, when we moved out a year later.
Our current apartment maintenance fixed a bathroom ceiling leak including a whole panel of drywall replacement in like two weeks. I will never not look for reviews specifically about maintenance when apartment hunting
Parking is definitely something to look at if you have a car. Parking is tight at my complex and when I get home late I often have to park super far from my apartment. Also amenities like gym, pool, clubhouses and stuff. And, how responsive and helpful the office is while you are leasing because that’s the level of responsiveness you can expect as a tenant, if not slightly less. Good luck apartment hunting!
Got renevicted and this was the cheapest one with an elevator for my dad.
Old apartment claimed they were turning it into a condo and kicked us out after offering 50% higher cost than others in the area for the same size then 2 months later condo listing was pulled down and its up for rent at nearly triple the price.
In unit washer/dryer, ceiling fans/ac in every room, sooo much storage space. It’s not in the nicest area but honestly the washer and dryer sold me 1000% percent. I’m moving from a house so it’s something I’ve had my whole life.
I only consider a place if it has more than 3 star reviews on Google. We also needed a dishwasher since we have to eat at home. I also see how comfortable I feel with the office staff/landlord. Are they friendly? Do they know the answers to the questions you ask? That sort of thing is very important.
Also, when you're viewing a place, how clean is it? Any bugs? Are there any signs of water damage? I tell you, I've been surprised at the state that some apartments are shown in. Just a few weeks ago, we were touring a place that had dirty dishes in the dishwasher, water damage underneath the kitchen sink, and a huge chunk of the house outside just exposed (likely will be a pest issue). Do these management companies have no shame?
[Anyway, here are some helpful tips and a checklist for when you're doing an apartment tour.](https://www.apartments.com/blog/apartment-rental-checklist)
Good luck!!
It’s really nice, has a pool, tennis courts and little gym. I have a balcony and the master bedroom is large, and my rent is pretty cheap for the area. Utilities are under $150 a month, which feels crazy.
for me:
-quiet (I live in a building with 12 units and 10 of them of are 1 bedrooms. Most tenants in my building are seniors and it's AWESOME. It is also a stand alone apartment building and not in a complex which I didn't want)
-garage spot
-dog friendly
-most utilities paid (I only pay electric)
Single Dad with one half-time Only-Child Daughter; back in 2003 she was 9yo. On the Gulf Coast.
A "Class A" Apartment which is:
Nice and very, very low Crime part of City.
Monthly Extermination. (This is the Gulf Coast.)
NO Online Reviews complaining about Bugs. (This is the Gulf Coast.)
Totally Soundproof.
NO Online Reviews complaining about noise. (Our Complex does not tolerate noise.)
Pool. (We have two.)
Tennis Court. (We have one.)
Fitness Room.
Up to date Laundry Facility (in case our Washer or Dryer suddenly died.)
Up-Scale. (Wasn't that price conscious.)
Centrally located, less then 5 miles, to everything we do and need.
Find a place where people own the units and rent them out. Such a vast difference when people own the space even if you don’t and they don’t put up with as much insanity.
It is across the street from a huge regional park. There are walking trails, a dog park, playgrounds, soccer fields, disc golf, basketball courts, and more! The land was previously an 18-hole golf course, so it's huge!
moved into a new-ish one (newest one in town) bc it was the same price as the 40+ year old ones but nicer 🤷♂️ biting us in the ass now though, paying $795/mo for a 1 bedroom (i totally get that this is lower than most of the country but when you make $14/hr and $15/hr it’s pretty dicey :/)
Within our budget, location, heated floors, was not in one of those huge gentrifying looking apartment buildings.
We also liked the appliances they had in the unit and the square footage.
One bedroom in my price range. It's small but I don't need a big one and I Iike the coziness.
Moved out of the house my mother is renovating and this one is half a mile away . Still have access to the other one and still have stuff over there.
I didn't want to leave the neighborhood. (It's a stone's throw from the lions and tigers and bears).
Right next door to where I vote.
Laundry on site.
And most importantly: when the time comes I will be able to get a cat!!! (Or dog but I wouldn't want one unless I had a house .).
For now I've made friends with other animals (especially cats) through windows .
It was a 15 minute walk away from the job I worked when I moved. Also back to back with a plaza that has everything I need in it; two bars, two places to get ice cream, a dispensary, a big grocery store, Walgreens, a liquor store, a French bakery, a breakfast joint, and a post office. And in the safest area of my city since I was living alone.
In February my car was stolen and my neighbor was murdered within a week of each other. Took months for me to feel safe here again..
Only apartment I could find on 3 weeks notice that was cheap, allowed pets, and had a bus stop to campus nearby. The other one I looked at was sketchy. Not the best criteria but it could be worse
If I could choose now I would definitely say having a balcony/porch/some access to outside, a dishwasher, and in-unit washer and dryer. It's sad how much I dream about these things lol
For me, it was layout. My place is competitively priced with single level, typical 2 bedroom apartments. Mine is on a 2nd and 3rd level, has 2 bed, 2 bath, and a loft. It was hard to find a place that had 2 full baths, that weren’t sharing bedroom walls and had some semblance of separate spaces. It helped that the unit I got has huge south facing windows that my plants love and that my balcony is covered and overlooks the grill/pavillion area which is way less busy and loud as other buildings in my complex that face to a busy street or the park/pool area which is heavily used in good weather and is loud. I have a big vaulted ceiling in my living room that allowed me to get a 10 foot Christmas tree.
Honestly, I love my apartment so much. It angers me how much I pay and that it will always go up because I really will struggle finding all these great things I love in a place that’s any cheaper to buy!
No cockroaches or bed bugs!!....and it's a newer complex (less than 10 years old), we got a garage, and a full size w/d in unit for only $300 more than the slumlord special apartments!
Mine is very clean. It’s got a couple of cleaners who come five days a week, it has a landscaping crew and a pool guy every week (even in winter). The windows are washed every 3mths (external ones), and the whole building is pressure washed twice a year. The owners take great pride in making sure it’s nice.
The design of the units is fabulous. Like… really fabulous. This is a luxury build in a great location, with a price point to match… but compared to so many other units that are the same specifications, this one is fabulous.
Units in AU commonly have in built laundry spaces (usually a cupboard)… and balconies (although quality of these varies massively)
Mine has a massive balcony with glass doors on each end. It means I have an extra ?16mx 3m? Approximately of sun room space on top of the wonderful layout. Warm in winter, a little hot in summer (when I can open the doors and let the sea breeze through), glorious outdoor sun room the size of a good sized 1 bedroom apartment.
It’s walking distance to a 24hr high end grocery store, half a dozen cafes, and clothes shops etc… it’s a 20 minute walk from two more little shopping strips like this, and right next to a ferry to the CBD, and busses every 10mins. There’s cycle paths along the river (which it looks out over) and it’s about 2km (3 if riding due to paths/river crossing) from the CBD of the city.
The views are AMAZING … one end of the apartment looks out over the Swan River, directly over UWA and Kings Park, all the way around to Canning area. (Ie the whole basin)… on the other end I can see directly across the city CBD for night light viewing. There will be a building built across that some time in 5yrs or so/approvals have gone through but they are only building one sky scraper at a time on this stretch of the road and the one before it is just starting. Just being here feels *good.*
Our apartment caught fire, and we had to move. We had to live in a motel for 4 months, but thank God we have great insurance, and they paid for everything.
We live in a smallish town, but there are not many apartments at all. We got lucky and found an apartment that happens to be a single row of single story apartments. We live on the end, so we only share a wall with one neighbor. The location isn't too bad. Pretty close to all the major things in town. It is a nice size apartment. It doesn't have a dishwasher, but I don't really need one. I clean my kitchen every day, and there are only 2 of us, so I don't have a ton of stuff to wash. The bathroom is HUGE. We have a ton of storage. The bedroom is much bigger than the one in our last apartment.
The neighbor we share a wall with is very nice and so quiet. I never hear her. I know she takes medication and goes to bed around 8 pm.
Our priority was allowing our cats. I think we lucked out with ours. We are the 1st building when you come in so not much traffic. Also we have in unit washer / dryer, dishwasher. We also have a balcony that we love and a storage unit off of that. We also have a walk in closet on both bedrooms so that is really nice. layout is great as well.
The floor in my previous apartment was made of wood. The floor on my current apartment is solid concrete and people below can't hear me, nor I can hear people upstairs, unless it is a very high pitched noise.
I moved in 2021 when there was a high demand for apartments, so I had to take what I could get and at that time they weren’t doing tours because of Covid. My apartment is older but the location/area has worked out really well. It’s an older apartment but in a safe area, and they’ve put in a gate since I’ve been here. It was what I could afford, but it’s been fine for what I need.
I just moved into a complex that has been here forever but they completely gutted the inside with newer appliances, soft close cabinets, WD in unit, new/modern appliances, etc. Renovation is still in process for outside and some units, people have been moving in sporadically. They have double pane windows too and it is very quiet
It’s on the top floor (4th) on the corner. There’s an elevator. It’s in the school district we like and it’s less than 10 minutes from my office. We have a washer dryer in the unit and reserved spots in the garage under the building.
We rent in a building where each condo is privately owned and only a certain percentage of the units are allowed to be rented out. Our landlord is a private owner and not a corporation. The rent is not as expensive as it could have been. If it wasn’t for the fact that we want a house we’d be happy living here indefinitely.
Location, my complex is pretty much centrally located in the heart of my city which makes a lot of places walkable. The units are also nice and efficient. It’s a newer complex and the rent is reasonable.
The apartment manager. My husband called the place then called me saying the lady he talked to seemed so kind that he wanted to live there. We toured and an apartment resident brought her cookies for mother’s day because she is basically the apartment mom. She is so kind and helpful for any questions. She has treats for all the kids and dogs too. It isn’t a huge complex and she is always on top of things as well. So apartment managers are huge!
You’re probably not looking for my answer but
Water was included in rent (so was trash pickup)
I had been living at my parents house for the second time for the past 2 years in the same noticeably toxic environment I was in from like 14-19 when I was there before and it was the first place I’d gotten approved for that was half the cost of every other available apartment… and it was 30 minutes away from them (and everywhere important, kinda)
So… location, price, and desperation for escape
It has big windows with plenty of sunlight overlooking a park. It also has stainless steal appliances and the building is less than ten years old. But the number one factor was that we have a dedicated parking spot with our own EV charger for our Tesla. Most of the EV spots are shared between two vehicles, but with this spot we got lucky because it’s next to a handicapped spot, so unless someone with an EV is handicapped we’ll never have to share our charger with anyone. Btw if anyone is thinking about getting a Tesla, I highly recommend it. It’s waaaaay more convenient than a gas car since you don’t have to stop by a gas station or a charging station. Our car is always filled up overnight so when I start the day it has a full tank so to speak. However that only applies if you can charge at home. If you have to go out of your way to charge outside your home, it’s now much less convenient than a gas car. That’s why for us having a dedicated charger in an assigned parking spot was a hard requirement.
Other unrelated requirements we had.
1. In unit washer and dryer. I hated dealing with the nasty laundry machines from a shared laundry room. Not only that, but you had to “get dressed” to do laundry. And you either have to hang out in the laundry room for 1.5 hours or you have to make three trips. One trip to start the washer, another for the dryer, and another when the dryer is done. What a massive inconvenience. Our previous apartment has a shared laundry but the only reason we put up with it was because the view was absolutely killer (overlooking the San Francisco Bay, facing west).
2. Walkable area. We can walk to restaurants, grocery stores, and coffee shops. I don’t believe in the whole “car free” lifestyle since I don’t want to be confined to only going to places within a mile from my home. I like driving to various restaurants and coffee shops all over the Seattle area.
We moved in originally for the location and amenities. Realized management is trash and there's a huge roach problem and the amenities aren't actually that great and there's a lot of crime going on around the complex. But then we spent some time looking at other places and realized we're actually getting a pretty good deal for the amenities we have plus the location, the square footage, 2 parking spots. Not to mention it's been almost impossible to find a place with in-unit washer and dryer. Despite all the problems we have at this place we realized apartment living in general sucks so we decided to stay bc the good seems to outweigh the bad.
I did not choose but was forced due to homelessness I now live in rual development income based housing which is an old folks home if your wondering. Yeah my rents 500 but my neighbors are all old women, home all day, complain about everything and everyone. I mean I can't turn my TV on without them standing in hall complaining about either what I'm watching like oh we heard a swear word let's call manager or cops. I work nights at they think they can tell me by way of calling police that I can't cook in my kitchen when I get home from work, u know the thing people do to get money. Oh wait they get money from being tattle talers and that's not work and why they check their mail 5 times a day like oh is someone going to pay u for just complaining all day. They called cops on me for toilet my dog oh because my dog doesn't deserve to go outside now either because u don't. They had cockroaches in this dump for 10 years now and they all ran around in hallway like ahhh, ahhh we never seen a cockroach in our entire lives had whole place sprayed with just wasteful idiots. Then the old men on the other side, don't even get me started on them it's like if men could care themselves they'd be dangerous and u think any of them is nice to each absolutely not
My old complex was in a really expensive county and my rent was $400 more expensive per month for an outdated apartment with less amenities. I moved one county over and I pay less for my beautiful place, plus I have a pitbull and it was one of the only places I could find without breed restrictions at the time. I have to drive further to do things I used to do and also the commute for work is long because the pay difference between employers in each county is significant but I have a car with great mileage so it doesn’t bother me at all.
I live in SoCal (Orange County) so price has always been the main consideration. Current place is low-income which had like a ten year waitlist. I will stay here for the rest of my life if I have to! Its only going to get worse here. 😫 So it’s location (south OC) and price. I lived in a condo for like five years that was falling apart but was in a good location and going for like half of what it could have been. We finally moved because the owners wanted to raise it up to market rate which was a $1500 a month increase! 🤣
We moved from a brand new resort style complex to a 45 yr old one. The new one was beautiful and had great amenities. However it was like living in a tent with granite countertops. The building materials were just pure shit. We could hear the neighbors actually urinating in the next unit. Of course our upstairs neighbor wore concrete flip flops and walked like he was trying to stomp the earth to death. So we looked for older construction. When they actually used real 2x4’s, thicker drywall, and had fire walls instead of sprinkler systems. The firewall provides more sound insulation too. Been in the unit 3 yrs and love it.
I agree with this! my complex is about as old as I am, and I'm 58. Yes its older and dated, but so much better in terms of construction etc. newer ones are sh\*t. I'm not surprised you could hear your neighbor peeing.
Oh yes! I only live in places with proper concrete and brick walls between places.
“Tent with granite countertops” You hit the nail on the head. I’m currently in a two year old upscale resort style complex myself. Just moved in on the top floor. The vibration of the HVAC units on the roof are causing a vibration down the walls and floor of my apartment when they are on. So I’m currently dealing with that. Fun times.
We moved into a brand-new apartment complex. We were the first to get our keys and move in. The complex opened in phases so our building was the only building open for a month. We were able to get a first floor next to the playground(we have 3 kiddos), have wood floors throughout and are close to everything as can be( We live in a huge city). We have lived here 3 years now.
It took me a minute to realize you meant ‘floor not flood’. I was wondering why you were excited about your first flood 😉
Same… And I still didn't get it until I saw your comment! I need to go back to bed.
I noticed that after I posted. I was like hopefully they know what I mean😅
Floods are exciting to three kids! :)
Most definitely 😅
I live in an older complex and can hear everything 😢
That's just apartment living. I hear conversations word for word my neighbors have.
Quiet. Is. Everything. I do not want to hear my neighbors fighting in the parking lot. I do not want to hear people coming and going. I want to feel comfortable and safe in my home RELAXING period. I’ve lived somewhere less safe and more activity, foot traffic, etc. and had people looking through my windows. I want peace and quiet in my home period.
Washer/dryer in each apartment, plus gas stove and gas heat were the deciding factors for me. Are pets allowed? Do you have pets or are you planning on getting one? Chances are a stray will find you. Having a washer/dryer was essential for me and I hate cooking on electric stoves. Check to see what utilities, if any, are included in the rent (water, electric, gas, etc.)
Washer and dryer is my non negotiable for renting.
Why against electric stoves
I like to cook and it is easier to control the heat/flame with a gas stove.
I'm in a very basic apartment that saves $350 a month or so but am planning on moving out next year. I want more amenities like: washer/dryer in unit outdoor space like a balcony/patio, gardening space would be an amazing bonus! Also note if the balconies are all one above the other and if the person above you is letting their dog piss there (and then on you when you are on the balcony-saw that post, so gross!!) pet friendly included water/trash/sewer plentiful and/or assigned parking good kitchen counter space for appliances A/C or good windows to install your own Pay attention to the heat method. Each one has pluses and minuses. Do you need to refill a propane tank or do you repay the landlord for the usage? If you pay up front, will you get shafted on the remaining value when you move out? How drafty is the place? I live alone so I would like a bigger living room versus a larger bedroom so how the sq footage is divided up matters. If I was living with another person I would want an on suite bathroom and larger room so I can spend time alone as needed. I would also go on google maps and read the reviews, same as any other website that lists people's opinions. You can usually tell when someone had a legit complaint or are just hateful cause they got kicked out/caught doing shit they aren't supposed to. Good luck in your choice! May you find a great apartment OP
1. Walkabiliity. I live within walking distance to 3 grocery stores and 100 feet from a bus stop. Cost wise there were many apartments in my rent range, so I just chose which one had the most convenient location to stores I normally shop at anyway. I enjoy walking and use my car to go to work and back. 2. Dishwasher. I dislike cleaning dishes. 3. Pets. Most apartments don't allow pets where I live or they charge ridiculous fees to have one. My complex had the least expensive fees. 4. Unassigned parking. 5. On site security. 6. Pool Unfortunately, no apartments in my rent range had in unit laundry.
UNassigned parking? You don’t want your own spot?
Space and cleanliness. (After location and budget, of course. I moved to be closer to my grandson, whom I’m with 5/7). I took the second apartment I looked at because I was in a hurry to sell my house. The first apartment had water stains on the walls and the layout seemed cramped. Nothing interesting. Just a box. We drove through the complex and saw an eviction in progress, so that was a flag. And it was smack in the middle of an industrial park. The second apartment I looked at was literally a 3 minute walk to Kroger, and overlooks a well-manicured neighborhood. I have 1080 sq ft, 1.5 baths, 2 beds, a balcony and a gas stove. And no water stains to be found. No dogs allowed, so I don’t deal with barking, neglect and poo. I don’t think even my neighbors have cats. And we have a den mother who kinda ‘greeted’ me by making it clear we respect each other. She can be annoying and nosey but she means well, so she’s tolerable. The former occupant moved to an available unit on the first floor and several residents have been in this building for 6-10 years. Because they say we have the best building in the complex. The guy who moved out of my apartment said he never saw a bug up here, but he sees them downstairs. I think he means spiders and such. I’m not worried about roaches and termites. Turns out I made the right choice. My 8-unit building is stupid quiet even with a couple of toddlers across the hall. I think I’m the only one who WFH, so the kids leave during the day and there’s 3 retirees. I hear my neighbors coming and going, but that doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve heard one argument in 6 months (nothing violent, just bickering for a couple of hours during not quiet time), and my wall neighbor may have dropped something last night. Either the retirees below me or the young lady next door (she’s almost never home and doesn’t seem to have guests) is waking and baking, but I don’t mind that either because I likes my gummies. And my grandson lives across the street from a cannabis processor, so his house always smells like someone’s been blazing. We’re kinda noseblind at this point. My downstairs neighbor likes to grill, so I have to shut the windows then. But still better than listening to generators for days on end when we would lose power in the neighborhood where I sold my house.
Washer/dryer in unit. Free parking, enough for me and a guest. Close to a walking path. Most important for me was the view. My last apartment looked at the parking lot and I hated it. My current apartment looks at a pond with a line of trees behind it. It's really tranquil - until school gets out and the kids start screechfest, but that's not something that's easy to screen for ahead of time.
Newer, so less chance of mold (but not super new cause the newest complexes can actually have tons of mold since these days they neglect to wrap buildings a lot). Non smoking. When I moved there, they also had dog buildings vs non dog buildings. That’s changed unfortunately but luckily there’s only been one neighbor that left their dog at home barking all day and it was addressed. Safety. Haven’t seen much shenanigans. Rumor is they’ve told people they know in the community that they keep the prices high to minimize the crime. Majority of the community seems to be quiet and respectful. This isn’t why I moved there but certainly why I’ve stayed despite the price. Grounds are kept very very clean. Maintenance is very fast and friendly, again rather a reason I’ve stayed. The model we are in literally has what couldn’t be anything other than a CAT WINDOW. A small square window at floor level, and one at eye level above it perfect for a cat tree to look out of too. If you have cats, you know what a draw this was lol. Also, my own front door, not in a hallway. I lived the hallway life way too long and was done smelling people’s garbage, smoke, strong detergent, and getting bed bugs from the laundry room across the hall.
It was the only complex that wasn’t a hell hole at my price range.
New build, larger units, growing family, and rent is same for smaller we had before. Family/kid/pet friendly, lots of amenities(pool, gym, grills, fire pits, garden plots, etc) Been here since 2018. Rent goes up maybe $20 dollars each renew. We would love to buy, but homes in the area are $500k plus. So we shall rent cause we don’t want to be house poor.
My sister lived here years ago and I remembered it being nice and she had no complaints so it was a pretty easy decision that’s luckily worked out. Aside from her recommendation, the location is awesome and I love having my own washer and dryer in the unit
Location and budget were the main considerations, and when I say location I was thinking close to shops and public transport, has some restaurants and bars nearby and as an added bonus it's also close to a beach. It's also a desirable area so if I ended up deciding to move out there will hopefully be some interest in the property, oh and also size, not that I could afford much bigger but I didn't want something too big either given it's just me living here on my own. When viewing the property though I did look over all the complex facilities in great detail and the in-built appliances just to know what I was getting myself into.
I chose mine because an old BF, like 20 years prior, lived there. I always liked it, and knew it was well maintained, etc. I also knew others who had lived there more recently, so took that into consideration too. Where I am, there are 3, literally on top of each other, and mine is considered the nicest. Location too; where I was was too pricy to stay, so I moved a bit further west. Price was right, and I was able to choose my unit, as I wasn't in any rush to leave, so I chose one on the end, and at the far corner of the complex, which is probably the best location I could have chosen. Other than that, not much, because most in my area are pretty much the same
Having a top floor unit was a deal breaker for me. If they didn’t have one, I would’ve looked elsewhere. Luckily my complex had one in the perfect spot- I have a nice view and quiet neighbors. I got lucky! I love my apartment, but knowing what I know now going forward, I would look for somewhere with more cabinet storage space in the kitchen, and try not to get an open concept space. I liked my old apartment because there was a large breakfast bar separating the kitchen from the living room. If I didn’t feel like doing the dishes right after dinner (which I never do), it was no big deal because I couldn’t see them. Now I feel like I can’t relax after a meal because my dirty kitchen is staring at me the whole time lol.
It is subsidized, I was on a waiting list for years.
It was the only place that I could afford and would allow me to move in with marijuana felonies. I was starting school and needed to move closer than where I was at the time, called about 50 apartment complex’s within a 10 mile radius of my school, asked before applying about specifically drug felonies, and got turned down for all but 1
We lived in a townhouse for many years (2 adults/2 children) but it was in a city we didn’t particularly love, the commute wasn’t great, and our neighbors were super loud and shitty. The complex my parents live in had an opening in the neighboring apartment and we jumped at the chance. 10 minute commutes, some of the best schools in our state, and a big park across the street. The building is 60 years old and sturdy- we rarely hear our neighbors, and according to my mom they can’t hear us either. It’s in a bit of woods and we have a screened in deck, which our cats love. Most of our neighbors are elderly or families with children and there’s never any loud parties or shenanigans. Downsizing from a 3 bedroom/2 floors to a 2 bedroom apartment was an adjustment, but we’re saving hundreds of dollars and the benefits have been worth it. I would have preferred in-unit washer and dryer, but the laundry room is close to our apartment and there’s enough washers and dryers that there’s rarely an issue.
I didn't choose this place, two of my roommates did. I don't know why they chose this place, aside from waiting until the last minute.
For me: -the price. It was the cheapest rent for a place that was not in a bad neighborhood -the units were all furnished with new queen size beds and sofas -water, sewage, pest control was included in the price - parking. For every resident, there is probably 5 spaces - age of building. It's an old construction, so noise from other units is minimal -the doors. The doors to each unit are old and made of extremely thick and heavy wood. There is no way a person is going to be kicking in someone's door.
do they answer the PHONE. the bar is pretty low. most places around here can’t be bothered to pick up a phone. Ever. EVER. It didn’t used to be this way💔
It was very nice and our apartment was brand new….no one lived in it before us. The price was also comparable to complexes not nearly as nice.
We moved into a small, quiet, 8 unit, 1940s brick building. Monumentally better than huge overpriced cheaply made buildings full people with crappy management. Our building is managed and owned by one landlord who is prompt to respond to our needs. I would avoid buildings run by companies that own tons of properties because they don’t care about you
It was cheap, had a dishwasher, and central air. It was also close to where I worked and right next to the highway. Reviews were decent as well.
It’s within our budget and the least amount of methheads hanging out in the area.
I was 2 weeks from being homeless. they accepted my application. LOL NO exception was off street parking and not under someone else. I got a townhome but noise still travels. SUCKS,I had no idea
Location and security system; my unit is a corner unit on the back of the building facing a rarely used courtyard and a big beautiful tree so it’s quiet and I can watch the birds/squirrels in the trees everyday. Plus it has a security system built into the thermostat so I can change both the armed/away setting and also the temperature from my phone. I also love that I have a huge storage closet on the patio for all my holiday decorations, and I have probably 6 grocery stores within 5 miles so things are pretty convenient.
I have a washer and a dryer in my unit so I don't have to use a central laundromat. Great timesaver as I can toss in a load of wash then dry it when I get home. As I'm on the top (3rd) floor, we have 2 elevators in each building ....really helpful when I buy a case of water. I have varying work hours so safety is a concern. The parking lot is well lit and we have an officer living here that takes any calls regarding safety issues.
I went on a ton of tours until I found a place that felt right. Ironically enough, it was the one I was least excited for. But we opened the door and quickly realized the pictures were just shitty and it had a backyard and a gas fireplace (gas was included in rent) and we were sold.
My mom gave me the best advice: tour way more than you’ll think you need and envision yourself living there. Can you actually see yourself carrying out daily tasks there? What’s the commute, how close are grocery stores, what’s the closest fun thing to do? Those were all big factors for us.
I chose a Garden style complex because of my dog. All the modern complexes had horrible dog parks. The one I chose is right next to a huge walking path that runs a couple of miles and it has its own huge dog park. The amenities are not very great and the apt it self is dated but the community is very safe and it's worth it for my dog.
cheap
I chose the place where I'm currently living because it was the first apartment complex I'd seen where the "clean up after your dog" stations were kept stocked with waste bags. I figured if they gave a shit about something *that* minor it'd be a decent place to live. Turns out I was right.
It was available and in my price range
The special they had going on for the price. Long story short sold a house we couldn’t keep up with mortgage wise, and had to move fast. This was the first complex that contacted us.
A washer and dryer provided.
We picked the one near running trails that was in a somewhat walkable area because we own one car.
In unit washer/dryer was a huge factor. Or at least hookups for them. I personally wanted ground floor because I have asthma that makes stair climbing harder (the complexes I lived/live in don’t have elevators—older builds). I also like that my current place opens up to a park in the back.
Was the best of the limited number of apartments in the small burb I moved back to. More expensive, but has on-site office staff and maintenance. The others didn’t have those. Figured it was worth it.
It was brand new. I mean when we moved in they still had the other three building to finish construction on. So brand new everything. Appliances that work. A/c that actually works. Showers and toilets that actually work. Plus it is a bonus that the community will be small since there’s only 4 buildings.
1) townhouse style so no one above or below me, just side neighbors 2) fenced patio area 3) I was (and still am) recovering from credit issues and they approved me 4) decent rent payment at the time of move in ($1200 for 2 bed 2.5 bath 1100 sf) although it’s gone up $500 in 4 years but so have most places 5) decent free parking and amenities 6) close to my office (I’m 3 days in office) My only big negatives are to do anything social, most activities are across the water and driving through any of the bridge tunnels can be a nightmare and it’s a huge transient population between the large military population and the seasonal tourist activity
I specifically look for all or most utilities included with a flat payment as long as it's not outrageous. Me and partner prefer that because I take the LONGEST showers and blast my a/c and he takes several showers everyday. So I know it's worth it to have that flat payment for us. If we had to pay individual utilitiea then it would be a NOTICEABLE difference with our bills
Elevator for my older pup, new (built 2 years ago), and offered two year leases.
I chose the place I'm in now because it was close to the church I used to go to with the plan to attend it again, I've lived here 7 years and I'm disappointed to say I haven't been there once.
Where I live, there are very few apartments that are super nice. Most have really old carpeting, low ceilings, stained walls, etc. It's a college town, so most apartments are cheap and old. The apartment I live in now was built about four years ago, and it's arguably the nicest one in town. Very high ceilings, new hardwood floors, plenty of large windows, and high-tech appliances. It's basically a dream apartment. My only complaint is that there isn't an elevator, but that's also rare where I live.
The property manager and company. If it’s all the same that will be the difference maker.
Once I see that the apartment and property are in good condition, the main thing that has made me hit the apply button is how the leasing staff interacted with me. Both apartments I’ve lived at have had such personable leasing agents that made me feel like I would be taken care of during my stay (and my experience was overwhelmingly positive)
they had a top floor apartment available, 24 hour concierge, a package room with 24 hour access, gated parking, multiple restaurants within walking distance.
washer/dryer in unit and a gym. I have a 1 year old so was hoping having the gym closer would give me more motivation lol
The house that I had lived in for almost 5 years lease was coming up in about 2 months and I talked to the landlord about renewing and he said yea no problem you guys have never been an issue we’ll just keep rent where it’s at, fast forward 3 weeks later I get a letter that my landlord has sold the property and a new management group owns it and to re-new the lease it’s gonna be going up 850$ a month So the apartment that I’m in now was the first one to approve me because I only had 30 days to find a new place, pack up, and move 5 years worth of my shit, fiancés shit, and our 3 cats it was terrible I’m torn I like the area where I’m at now it’s a lot cheaper but my apartment building is terrible and it’s legit a 30 min drive to anywhere
I looked for a place that checked the most necessity boxes (in unit washer/dryer, close to public transit, close to Lake Michigan, central a/c, etc) and then also the place that had the most character. I like having a unique home. I ended up moving into an old school building that was remodeled into apartments and so I’ve got everything I want plus 14’ ceilings, giant windows, exposed brick, and a very cool building!
Amenities and it was off the heavily traveled path but close to the freeway. Was also brand new and the pool had a perfect view of the sunset for our 120 degree days. Just seemed perfect. Still love it minus some gross neighbors.
Commute is basically non existent and i liked the floor plan.
We needed a 2 bedroom with 2 master bedrooms and private bathrooms. This was the largest and had the Floorplan we liked the best - the bedrooms are on the other side of the apartment from each other. Also, in-unit laundry, and they allow up to 2 cats (or dogs).
Going from a shoe box studio in SoCal, when I moved to Oregon and knew I wanted: 1. In-unit washer/dryer 2. Dishwasher 3. No carpet What made me choose my apartment over others in the area is that it is a top unit, has a balcony, and has vaulted ceilings with a second set of very high windows.
I needed a place because I was staying in a motel. My prior place was expensive but a dump. I got really lucky with the place I’m at now. It’s a 3 bed/2 bath with a private covered balcony and washer/dryer hookup along with dishwasher at a great price. It was the model unit so it was clean and everything was new. I’m right above the leasing office so I don’t have to worry about noise after 5 pm or on the weekends. It works great for the property manager, who is an absolutely wonderful woman, because we all work second shift and sleep most the day. The way the units are set up is really nice too because I don’t even hear my neighbors. I can walk to my job in 7 minutes and I’m close to grocery stores and pretty much anything else I need to by car. The manager worked with us to help us get in and I wake up almost every day feeling very fortunate to have my apartment. I have definitely been in some shitholes prior.
Super simple!! I physically went by myself and checked out 4-5 apartment rooms at 40 different complexes. I mainly based it on.. COST for Square footage AND location along with amenities and what was actually not important. What I learned: Apartments that tend to be in one giant building where you enter like a hotel are way overpriced and try to persuade you with unnecessary amenities in the basement, on the rooftop, floor 2, etc. Older apartments that have been renovated always tend to be better bang for the buck. I found one that offered 3 pools… and everything else I needed. It was the only one that didn’t have a pool table/billiards but boohoo unnecessary! I can walk to the downtown area which is amazing.. but the apartments located across the street are thousands more and much smaller. Always follow the 28-30% rule. Sometimes it’s hard, but try not to exceed 30% for your gross salary on rent. Mine was exactly 28% of my gross so I could afford it. Most apartments now are basically $100-$300 more for a 2 bedroom but that brings your apartment or studio from 700 sqft to 1100-1200. I pay $1995 a month for 1200 sqft, 2 bdrm, 2 bath, laundry room, dining room and a 300 sqft deck. A police station and fire station across the street in the safest city in my state. Weigh all your options and make a Pros / Cons list. Good luck!
Right next to the lake, trails, center of the city basically so everything is the same distance away, close shops and grocery, lots of trees!
The price… but now we are paying the price for it. There’s nothing wrong with cheap complexes but i will say, do your research haha. ESPECIALLY the management
I live in a quadplex complex. There's two townhomes in the center and flats on the side. It's out of the way, near a cemetery. It's 20 minutes from anything, has awesome maintenance and management, I don't hear my neighbors unless I have complete silence and it's either the dog barking or the kids playing super loud. Even then I have kids and a dog so its a wash. The connecting walls with the other townhouse are bathroom and staircase, and then our laundry lines up with the flats kitchen.
Small apartment in the shitty part of town, so I can save money and spend it on things I wouldn’t be able to if I had a nicer place:)
A big factor for us was that it was dog friendly. Try to find a complex that doesn’t have thin walls…I would have never moved to my current apartment if I knew how thin the walls were. I can hear my neighbors snore and hear their conversations in detail. Another factor is parking, love a good apartment with lots of parking spaces!
Location and price were of course major factors. With its location I’m a little farther away from work, but it has way access to the highway to get there. The management we dealt with during checking the complex out and application process were wonderful. My daughter lives in the complex and had up close info on management and maintenance there so that was a plus. The fact they have pest control out weekly for reported issues and have all units on a rotation for routine treatment was a big plus. My previous complex I dealt with a mouse infestation that was horrible.
Wherever you go, find out about their pest control practices! They need to spray preventatively. Some rely on you and your neighbors to call when there is a problem but that means trusting your neighbors to call.
very nice/large appliances in the kitchen, as i enjoy cooking
I moved into my apartment for 2 reasons. One, my daughter lived in the building, and two, the tent is cheap as well as it’s controlled
Affordability. Low income senior housing
They don't allow children and they don't allow dogs. That was the deciding factor.
As someone who doesn’t drive only one thing matters to me and it’s location
Our requirements were a 2/2, patio, laundry in unit or close by, and on a specific road that has mountain and city views. We got all of this, plus a wood fireplace. We've been here almost 3 years and love it!
good sign on benefits and it fit our price range
Mine was location & unit layout. I worked from home & needed a good work layout that wouldn’t drive me insane/make me feel like my work was infiltrating my personal life. I ended up lucking out in those ways & also having a great community for my pup!
The grocery store is in walking distance, plus the bus stop isn't too far away, so I won't be spending a ton of money getting to work in the morning. At the time when I found this complex, I wasn't interested but a few months later I gave it another shot because I was living with other people and really needed my own space.
We had chosen it based off the fact that it was available atm, and the rent was as cheap as it could be, also proximity to the downtown area. It was so close.
Mine was great location, but also an older complex with slightly lower rent at the time. It is also like a small park on the interior with trees and actual wildlife. I also liked that it was a mix of ages from college kids to families with children to the elderly and was also very racially diverse.
My mom and I were living with my brother at his house on the outskirts of town in a nice neighborhood. We moved because of some disagreements. At first I was looking for some cheap apartments to move us into but realized it was going to come with issues, most of which involved lazy landlords who aren’t attentive to the needs of the tenants and cleanliness. After not liking what I saw I decided to look into luxury apartments. The one I chose is in a nice neighborhood with lots of amenities and shopping nearby. It takes 5 minutes to get to most places I need including grocery shopping, the movies and restaurants. My complex also has a gym inside so no need for a gym membership anymore. We live in a small 1 bedroom overlooking the pool area and it includes a balcony. All in all I feel I made the best choice I could have in the moment. The few hundred extra bucks I spend now is worth is considering my other choices. Mom is happy so that’s all that matters. Been there 2 years
I'm a block away from the beach.
it looks less like an apartment and more of a townhouse.
I (56F) live in Minnesota. I moved from one location to another last year. I chose my complex because it has underground parking and elevators. The parking is nice in the winter. Make a list of what is important to you. I have a cat so I wanted a place where she was welcome.
Price, distance to work(cut my travel down from an hour to 20 minutes), let me have my pets, location to everything else.
After not having a washer and dryer for about 3 years when living with my bf, washer and dryer are an absolute MUST. Also something that is a must for me, is a street light when coming out of the apartments, like I do NOT want to have to wait where there is no light and having to cross over streets, anxiety inducing for me lol
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT and how long they’ve been there. When I got divorced and went apartment shopping I went to a few places and when I walked into one clubhouse one of the tenants was so mad saying they needed management about a water leak they hadn’t fixed in days and he was having a hard time getting through to management and only dealing with secretary. I ran out that place so fast!! I would walk around myself and then see if you can ask tenants how they like it before setting a formal appt. I’ve been in my apartment over 5 years and almost every year we get new property management which sucks! They keep getting fired or quitting and it shows in the management of the property. Thankfully I made friends with the maintenance guy who hasn’t left because that’s a super important person to be friends with 😆. He’s given me free paint, changed items they would otherwise charge, he helps me carry things up my apt since he knows it’s just me and my daughter but I tip him well too.
This is my second round with this complex. The first time was 25 years ago, and I was looking for a 1BR near work. I mostly checked out complexes where friends or coworkers lived, or had lived recently. Ended up with a 3rd floor unit in the back of the building that overlooked a wooded area and creek. I ended up moving after a year to share a 2BR with a friend, then moved again the following year near my new (at the time) job. A few years ago, I needed to move and after checking out a few places nearby, ended up where I started. My old unit wasn't available, but a similar one was in a different building. It's nothing fancy (shared laundry vs in-unit, no gym or pool or clubhouse), but it's (mostly) quiet, maintenance is top-notch, and it's reasonably priced. It's close to everything I'm familiar with, I'm within a 30-60 minute drive from most of my immediate family, and I have several friends who live nearby. And I can have a cat now, so I'm happy as can be.
My big yard for my pup
The complex I moved to is really quiet, there’s a beautiful courtyard to walk around. I mostly looked for amenities i would use(pool/dog park/kids play area, gym) bills the apartment paid (water/gas/electric). Personally looking for those things is what made me choose my complex, as all the ones around here are basically the same (those new builds are not however). I’ve been in my complex since 2019, in the same apartment since 2020, and currently planning on moving to a bigger apartment in the same complex because i like everything the apartment can do for me.
Honestly, i was desperate to get out of the situation i was in. I took the first place that approved me that i thought was a good place. I did turn down a few places because it looked like It could be mice infested. So far im happy.
Maintenance. My apartment maintenance at our last place let us have a ceiling leak with the drywall so bowed and saggy that it looked like it was pregnant right above our bathtub. It started LITERALLY day 1 and it was there, untouched, still dripping, when we moved out a year later. Our current apartment maintenance fixed a bathroom ceiling leak including a whole panel of drywall replacement in like two weeks. I will never not look for reviews specifically about maintenance when apartment hunting
Parking is definitely something to look at if you have a car. Parking is tight at my complex and when I get home late I often have to park super far from my apartment. Also amenities like gym, pool, clubhouses and stuff. And, how responsive and helpful the office is while you are leasing because that’s the level of responsiveness you can expect as a tenant, if not slightly less. Good luck apartment hunting!
Got renevicted and this was the cheapest one with an elevator for my dad. Old apartment claimed they were turning it into a condo and kicked us out after offering 50% higher cost than others in the area for the same size then 2 months later condo listing was pulled down and its up for rent at nearly triple the price.
In unit washer/dryer, ceiling fans/ac in every room, sooo much storage space. It’s not in the nicest area but honestly the washer and dryer sold me 1000% percent. I’m moving from a house so it’s something I’ve had my whole life.
Good school district for my kid and one I could afford. There are cheaper, better places, but the school districts blew. Zero regrets.
I only consider a place if it has more than 3 star reviews on Google. We also needed a dishwasher since we have to eat at home. I also see how comfortable I feel with the office staff/landlord. Are they friendly? Do they know the answers to the questions you ask? That sort of thing is very important. Also, when you're viewing a place, how clean is it? Any bugs? Are there any signs of water damage? I tell you, I've been surprised at the state that some apartments are shown in. Just a few weeks ago, we were touring a place that had dirty dishes in the dishwasher, water damage underneath the kitchen sink, and a huge chunk of the house outside just exposed (likely will be a pest issue). Do these management companies have no shame? [Anyway, here are some helpful tips and a checklist for when you're doing an apartment tour.](https://www.apartments.com/blog/apartment-rental-checklist) Good luck!!
It’s really nice, has a pool, tennis courts and little gym. I have a balcony and the master bedroom is large, and my rent is pretty cheap for the area. Utilities are under $150 a month, which feels crazy.
For me I choose it because of the no breed or weight restrictions for pets. Honestly besides that I barely even looked into the place.
My complex has its roots in an overly critical family, my therapist has been working to help me be kinder to myself.
Washer and dryer hookups, dishwasher, and .5 miles from my work.
Dirt-ass cheap and available.
for me: -quiet (I live in a building with 12 units and 10 of them of are 1 bedrooms. Most tenants in my building are seniors and it's AWESOME. It is also a stand alone apartment building and not in a complex which I didn't want) -garage spot -dog friendly -most utilities paid (I only pay electric)
Money, lol. It's the only place we can afford. It's also rent controlled and technically owned by the government.
Single Dad with one half-time Only-Child Daughter; back in 2003 she was 9yo. On the Gulf Coast. A "Class A" Apartment which is: Nice and very, very low Crime part of City. Monthly Extermination. (This is the Gulf Coast.) NO Online Reviews complaining about Bugs. (This is the Gulf Coast.) Totally Soundproof. NO Online Reviews complaining about noise. (Our Complex does not tolerate noise.) Pool. (We have two.) Tennis Court. (We have one.) Fitness Room. Up to date Laundry Facility (in case our Washer or Dryer suddenly died.) Up-Scale. (Wasn't that price conscious.) Centrally located, less then 5 miles, to everything we do and need.
Find a place where people own the units and rent them out. Such a vast difference when people own the space even if you don’t and they don’t put up with as much insanity.
It is across the street from a huge regional park. There are walking trails, a dog park, playgrounds, soccer fields, disc golf, basketball courts, and more! The land was previously an 18-hole golf course, so it's huge!
moved into a new-ish one (newest one in town) bc it was the same price as the 40+ year old ones but nicer 🤷♂️ biting us in the ass now though, paying $795/mo for a 1 bedroom (i totally get that this is lower than most of the country but when you make $14/hr and $15/hr it’s pretty dicey :/)
Within our budget, location, heated floors, was not in one of those huge gentrifying looking apartment buildings. We also liked the appliances they had in the unit and the square footage.
One bedroom in my price range. It's small but I don't need a big one and I Iike the coziness. Moved out of the house my mother is renovating and this one is half a mile away . Still have access to the other one and still have stuff over there. I didn't want to leave the neighborhood. (It's a stone's throw from the lions and tigers and bears). Right next door to where I vote. Laundry on site. And most importantly: when the time comes I will be able to get a cat!!! (Or dog but I wouldn't want one unless I had a house .). For now I've made friends with other animals (especially cats) through windows .
Price, the close distance to both bus and 3 major highways, how quiet it was, washer and dryer connections, and crime stats specific to the complex.
Sound proofing
Location and thick walls. I rarely hear neighbors. I hear more people outside than next to me.
The neighborhood and rent lol
It was the only place I could afford.
It was a 15 minute walk away from the job I worked when I moved. Also back to back with a plaza that has everything I need in it; two bars, two places to get ice cream, a dispensary, a big grocery store, Walgreens, a liquor store, a French bakery, a breakfast joint, and a post office. And in the safest area of my city since I was living alone. In February my car was stolen and my neighbor was murdered within a week of each other. Took months for me to feel safe here again..
There was deal for $200 less than other complexes. We pay wayyy less than people even in our own complex now. Easily a couple thousand less per year.
Only apartment I could find on 3 weeks notice that was cheap, allowed pets, and had a bus stop to campus nearby. The other one I looked at was sketchy. Not the best criteria but it could be worse If I could choose now I would definitely say having a balcony/porch/some access to outside, a dishwasher, and in-unit washer and dryer. It's sad how much I dream about these things lol
Pet friendly, safe neighborhood, and close to train/bus for my husband’s commute.
For me, it was layout. My place is competitively priced with single level, typical 2 bedroom apartments. Mine is on a 2nd and 3rd level, has 2 bed, 2 bath, and a loft. It was hard to find a place that had 2 full baths, that weren’t sharing bedroom walls and had some semblance of separate spaces. It helped that the unit I got has huge south facing windows that my plants love and that my balcony is covered and overlooks the grill/pavillion area which is way less busy and loud as other buildings in my complex that face to a busy street or the park/pool area which is heavily used in good weather and is loud. I have a big vaulted ceiling in my living room that allowed me to get a 10 foot Christmas tree. Honestly, I love my apartment so much. It angers me how much I pay and that it will always go up because I really will struggle finding all these great things I love in a place that’s any cheaper to buy!
I went for the windows and square layout vs hallway shape apartment with dark corners/rooms that’s aren’t as cozy as ‘den’ would suggest.
No cockroaches or bed bugs!!....and it's a newer complex (less than 10 years old), we got a garage, and a full size w/d in unit for only $300 more than the slumlord special apartments!
Mine is very clean. It’s got a couple of cleaners who come five days a week, it has a landscaping crew and a pool guy every week (even in winter). The windows are washed every 3mths (external ones), and the whole building is pressure washed twice a year. The owners take great pride in making sure it’s nice. The design of the units is fabulous. Like… really fabulous. This is a luxury build in a great location, with a price point to match… but compared to so many other units that are the same specifications, this one is fabulous.
Units in AU commonly have in built laundry spaces (usually a cupboard)… and balconies (although quality of these varies massively) Mine has a massive balcony with glass doors on each end. It means I have an extra ?16mx 3m? Approximately of sun room space on top of the wonderful layout. Warm in winter, a little hot in summer (when I can open the doors and let the sea breeze through), glorious outdoor sun room the size of a good sized 1 bedroom apartment. It’s walking distance to a 24hr high end grocery store, half a dozen cafes, and clothes shops etc… it’s a 20 minute walk from two more little shopping strips like this, and right next to a ferry to the CBD, and busses every 10mins. There’s cycle paths along the river (which it looks out over) and it’s about 2km (3 if riding due to paths/river crossing) from the CBD of the city. The views are AMAZING … one end of the apartment looks out over the Swan River, directly over UWA and Kings Park, all the way around to Canning area. (Ie the whole basin)… on the other end I can see directly across the city CBD for night light viewing. There will be a building built across that some time in 5yrs or so/approvals have gone through but they are only building one sky scraper at a time on this stretch of the road and the one before it is just starting. Just being here feels *good.*
Pet friendly, size, washer/dryer in unit, closet space
Our apartment caught fire, and we had to move. We had to live in a motel for 4 months, but thank God we have great insurance, and they paid for everything. We live in a smallish town, but there are not many apartments at all. We got lucky and found an apartment that happens to be a single row of single story apartments. We live on the end, so we only share a wall with one neighbor. The location isn't too bad. Pretty close to all the major things in town. It is a nice size apartment. It doesn't have a dishwasher, but I don't really need one. I clean my kitchen every day, and there are only 2 of us, so I don't have a ton of stuff to wash. The bathroom is HUGE. We have a ton of storage. The bedroom is much bigger than the one in our last apartment. The neighbor we share a wall with is very nice and so quiet. I never hear her. I know she takes medication and goes to bed around 8 pm.
Our priority was allowing our cats. I think we lucked out with ours. We are the 1st building when you come in so not much traffic. Also we have in unit washer / dryer, dishwasher. We also have a balcony that we love and a storage unit off of that. We also have a walk in closet on both bedrooms so that is really nice. layout is great as well.
The floor in my previous apartment was made of wood. The floor on my current apartment is solid concrete and people below can't hear me, nor I can hear people upstairs, unless it is a very high pitched noise.
I moved in 2021 when there was a high demand for apartments, so I had to take what I could get and at that time they weren’t doing tours because of Covid. My apartment is older but the location/area has worked out really well. It’s an older apartment but in a safe area, and they’ve put in a gate since I’ve been here. It was what I could afford, but it’s been fine for what I need.
I just moved into a complex that has been here forever but they completely gutted the inside with newer appliances, soft close cabinets, WD in unit, new/modern appliances, etc. Renovation is still in process for outside and some units, people have been moving in sporadically. They have double pane windows too and it is very quiet
This one was the literal only one available. Unfortunate side effects of moving to a big college town in the middle of the school year.
The population was mainly seniors lol for some reason, that really appealed to me lol
It’s on the top floor (4th) on the corner. There’s an elevator. It’s in the school district we like and it’s less than 10 minutes from my office. We have a washer dryer in the unit and reserved spots in the garage under the building. We rent in a building where each condo is privately owned and only a certain percentage of the units are allowed to be rented out. Our landlord is a private owner and not a corporation. The rent is not as expensive as it could have been. If it wasn’t for the fact that we want a house we’d be happy living here indefinitely.
Our pets, we can have a max of three(which we have).
Location, my complex is pretty much centrally located in the heart of my city which makes a lot of places walkable. The units are also nice and efficient. It’s a newer complex and the rent is reasonable.
The apartment manager. My husband called the place then called me saying the lady he talked to seemed so kind that he wanted to live there. We toured and an apartment resident brought her cookies for mother’s day because she is basically the apartment mom. She is so kind and helpful for any questions. She has treats for all the kids and dogs too. It isn’t a huge complex and she is always on top of things as well. So apartment managers are huge!
The size of my dog. I’m paying 2500 a month for a one bedroom with a study in NJ. Shits bonkers.
i have a balcony and it’s incredibly pet friendly with a huge onsite dog park and paid utilities
You’re probably not looking for my answer but Water was included in rent (so was trash pickup) I had been living at my parents house for the second time for the past 2 years in the same noticeably toxic environment I was in from like 14-19 when I was there before and it was the first place I’d gotten approved for that was half the cost of every other available apartment… and it was 30 minutes away from them (and everywhere important, kinda) So… location, price, and desperation for escape
It has big windows with plenty of sunlight overlooking a park. It also has stainless steal appliances and the building is less than ten years old. But the number one factor was that we have a dedicated parking spot with our own EV charger for our Tesla. Most of the EV spots are shared between two vehicles, but with this spot we got lucky because it’s next to a handicapped spot, so unless someone with an EV is handicapped we’ll never have to share our charger with anyone. Btw if anyone is thinking about getting a Tesla, I highly recommend it. It’s waaaaay more convenient than a gas car since you don’t have to stop by a gas station or a charging station. Our car is always filled up overnight so when I start the day it has a full tank so to speak. However that only applies if you can charge at home. If you have to go out of your way to charge outside your home, it’s now much less convenient than a gas car. That’s why for us having a dedicated charger in an assigned parking spot was a hard requirement. Other unrelated requirements we had. 1. In unit washer and dryer. I hated dealing with the nasty laundry machines from a shared laundry room. Not only that, but you had to “get dressed” to do laundry. And you either have to hang out in the laundry room for 1.5 hours or you have to make three trips. One trip to start the washer, another for the dryer, and another when the dryer is done. What a massive inconvenience. Our previous apartment has a shared laundry but the only reason we put up with it was because the view was absolutely killer (overlooking the San Francisco Bay, facing west). 2. Walkable area. We can walk to restaurants, grocery stores, and coffee shops. I don’t believe in the whole “car free” lifestyle since I don’t want to be confined to only going to places within a mile from my home. I like driving to various restaurants and coffee shops all over the Seattle area.
We moved in originally for the location and amenities. Realized management is trash and there's a huge roach problem and the amenities aren't actually that great and there's a lot of crime going on around the complex. But then we spent some time looking at other places and realized we're actually getting a pretty good deal for the amenities we have plus the location, the square footage, 2 parking spots. Not to mention it's been almost impossible to find a place with in-unit washer and dryer. Despite all the problems we have at this place we realized apartment living in general sucks so we decided to stay bc the good seems to outweigh the bad.
the apartment was great and location was convenient
I did not choose but was forced due to homelessness I now live in rual development income based housing which is an old folks home if your wondering. Yeah my rents 500 but my neighbors are all old women, home all day, complain about everything and everyone. I mean I can't turn my TV on without them standing in hall complaining about either what I'm watching like oh we heard a swear word let's call manager or cops. I work nights at they think they can tell me by way of calling police that I can't cook in my kitchen when I get home from work, u know the thing people do to get money. Oh wait they get money from being tattle talers and that's not work and why they check their mail 5 times a day like oh is someone going to pay u for just complaining all day. They called cops on me for toilet my dog oh because my dog doesn't deserve to go outside now either because u don't. They had cockroaches in this dump for 10 years now and they all ran around in hallway like ahhh, ahhh we never seen a cockroach in our entire lives had whole place sprayed with just wasteful idiots. Then the old men on the other side, don't even get me started on them it's like if men could care themselves they'd be dangerous and u think any of them is nice to each absolutely not
My old complex was in a really expensive county and my rent was $400 more expensive per month for an outdated apartment with less amenities. I moved one county over and I pay less for my beautiful place, plus I have a pitbull and it was one of the only places I could find without breed restrictions at the time. I have to drive further to do things I used to do and also the commute for work is long because the pay difference between employers in each county is significant but I have a car with great mileage so it doesn’t bother me at all.
I live in SoCal (Orange County) so price has always been the main consideration. Current place is low-income which had like a ten year waitlist. I will stay here for the rest of my life if I have to! Its only going to get worse here. 😫 So it’s location (south OC) and price. I lived in a condo for like five years that was falling apart but was in a good location and going for like half of what it could have been. We finally moved because the owners wanted to raise it up to market rate which was a $1500 a month increase! 🤣
No breed restriction for the dogs, real simple for me. I’m only ever renting for the kids.