WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN APARTMENT AS A FIRST TIME RENTER

This post was born out of the relief I had after spending the first night in our new apartment. We finally have a place we are both comfortable in.

James and I have been renters since college. We have have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of the renting world.

I put together a list to help someone looking for an apartment or house to rent for the first time.

1. Natural light is your friend. I aim for at least a large window in the living space and one window in the bedroom. This helps with getting ready for work and the general mood of the space. You don’t want to feel like you’re locked in a dungeon.
2. Ask your future landlord what is done to the apartment before you move in and after the last tenant has vacated the space. Look for things like carpet cleaning or replacement, walls painted and an overall apartment deep clean.
3. Figure out your laundry and mail delivery situations, especially in places with extreme weather. You don’t want to be walking a mile to get to your washer/dryer if it isn’t in your unit. You also don’t want packages waiting in the ice/snow uncovered. Most places either hold packages in the front office or have larger mailbox compartments for them.
4. This one is my favorite. Besides all of the research you have already done on living in the new area, take a look at the nearest grocery stores. Even go visit them! This sounds crazy but a good grocery store can really make a place so much better. For me, it’s a good indicator on how I’ll feel about moving to the area. Call me crazy, but it works.
5. Lastly, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, do not rent your apartment unseen. Don’t. Do. It. Even if you have a to find an apartment in a place you will not be able to visit before, have the landlord/office send you images of the current state of the apartment. There’s nothing worse than being let down when you move in.

If you have any funny/horrifying renter stories, head on over to my latest Instagram post and let me know!