It’s time to start your search. You have received your offer letter (congratulations!) and now you know where you will be located. No matter where that location is, next town over from your family home or across the country, you are going to need to start an apartment search to determine where you will be living. There are multiple sites to get you started. Read on to find one of the best apartment search websites.
How to begin your search.
There are so many ways you can find your first apartment in the area where you will be working and living. You will want to do your own website search. If you are not familiar with the area, especially if it is a city or state that you are unfamiliar with, you definitely want to ask your new employer’s advice on where to live. Your new employer may have associates who have made comments on the apartment communities where they currently live. But it really does come down to a website search to further equip yourself with as much information on your first apartment home in order to make the best decision for your future.
Let’s start the search.
This post will focus on a popular apartment search website, Apartments.com: Apartments and Homes for Rent. This is an informative site that provides detail on any particular location and then on any given apartment community. If you are new to the area, you can first begin your search by location alone. You can see just how many apartments are located within that specific area. Once you narrow down your targeted area even further, you can begin to focus on specific apartment communities. If you find that you only have a limited time to start that initial search, you can quickly scroll through some highlighted communities off to the right on this site. Start a “list” to get you started. This website makes it easy – just save your search for those communities that interest you. Once have the time to focus on your apartment search, you will be surprised how much detail you can find on Apartments.com. You want to start comparing the amenities (inside and outside the apartment) for those apartment communities that spark your interest.
Accessing your saved search.
Now that you have some time set aside to dig into your apartment search get comfortable and enjoy the results of your search! You access your saved list and start with your first community. What initially catches your eye – the pictures of the pool. But you still are not sure exactly where this community is located. Don’t worry, apartments.com has you covered! One photo in the gallery is a map of the area. But don’t stop now. Keep scrolling through the photo gallery! You can see pictures of their gym located on site (time to cancel your gym membership!), pictures of the granite in the kitchen, and more pictures that you would have thought! As you scroll through the photo gallery pay attention to internal and external amenities. You see that your potential new apartment has wide plank flooring throughout or maybe you see carpet in the bedroom only. Notice where in the apartment your full sized washer and dryer are located. Look at your very own balcony (or patio). Since you already saw the picture of the pool with a sundeck, you now see that the community boasts about the rooftop deck that can also be rented out for personal events.
Happy with the “look” of the community, you should spend some time on additional details. You scroll down and see what type of apartments they offer – whether a studio, one bed, two bed or a three bed. Some communities even have loft style apartments. Since this is your first apartment, you are most likely concerned with pricing. Each bedroom style will include the approximate square footage as well as monthly price. If a community is offering a special (one month free), you will see that information noted as well. You have narrowed your search and the style that peaks your interest is a one bedroom at 725 square feet. You need to determine if that apartment is available in the time frame of your move. All of this information is right at your fingertips!
Your search offers even more.
You are confident you have found the perfect apartment that fits all of your needs. Features of what are included in the apartments are listed as well as amenities within the community (Milo will be thrilled with the pet spa located on site!). If fees are charged, you will see the cost of those fees. Still not sure of the location? Apartments.com provides a neighborhood description (closest interstate and highways), points of interest (including distance to the closest airport, shopping center and parks), as well as scores on car dependency (is a car necessary or can you walk to the local grocery store), bikeability and active rating. But you want to hear the opinions of others who have lived at this community. Apartments.com offers you this information as well. You can see some recent reviews and how residents rated this community. Has anyone rated this community with a perfect 5 star rating? Do any of the comments cause you concern? Take some time to read these reviews.
You should be proud!
You have accomplished so much in the search for your first home away from home. It’s getting real! You have checked off one of the biggest items on your list – “Where am I going to live?” And now on to what’s next. Have you considered setting up a tour to view this community in person? That can be done on their site as well. Or at this point, maybe you want to look directly at the company website to apply on line because you are confident with your decision. Whatever you decide on this next step, we are happy to have been included in your journey so far. Here’s wishing you continued success!
