Moving Soon? 10 Features to Look For in Your Next Apartment
There’s nothing particularly enjoyable about apartment hunting, as it’s time-consuming and physically exhausting. Regardless, you cannot take the apartment search lightly. After all, it’s going to be your home, your place of rest after stressful days. So, it should have all the amenities to help you live comfortably and happily.
Whether you’re searching for your first apartment or moving for the tenth time, make sure your next apartment is equipped with the following essential features.
- Location
The location of the apartment is one of the most important factors to consider. If you’re someone who craves serenity at the end of a day, then you don’t want to move to a busy location. On the other hand, if you thrive in a bustling environment, then, by all means, go ahead.
Also, check out the usual traffic in the area. You don’t want to be stuck in traffic every day.
- Neighbourhood
An ideal neighbourhood should have certain things in its close vicinity. Make sure the new neighbourhood has grocery stores, good schools, parks, hospitals, entertainment centres and gyms a short walk or drive away.
If you care about your long-term good health, it’s best to choose a neighbourhood that’s surrounded by lots of trees and greenery.
- Utilities
It’s easy to get caught up in the physical appeal of a property and forget about things like utilities. A good apartment should be equipped with essential utilities such as electricity, water and rubbish collection. Sometimes the cost of utilities is included in rent, while other times you have to pay for them separately.
If you’re moving to Victoria or Queensland, check Origin Energy rates and pick an affordable energy plan for your apartment.
- Furnishings & appliances
While you can choose to rent an unfurnished apartment and furnish it yourself, it is more convenient and cheaper to pick a furnished apartment.
Some major furniture and appliances you should look for include bed, sofa, washer, dryer, stove, oven, microwave and dishwasher. Also, ensure these appliances are energy efficient to avoid high utility bills.
- Amenities
If an apartment is on the seventh floor and there’s no elevator, it becomes an unfeasible option. Make a list of must-have amenities and cross-check it with all the apartments you’re interested in.
- Heating & Cooling Systems
Whether you live in a hot or a cold climate zone, you cannot do with a well-working heating and cooling system. You should also ask the general operating and maintenance cost of the system to make sure it’s within your budget.
- Parking
You don’t want the daily headache of finding a parking spot after work. Find an apartment that comes with a parking spot. It would be a bonus if the building offers guest parking for visitors, so your guests can park without any hassle.
- Storage
Trust us when we say, you own more stuff than you think. And no one wants to live in a space crammed with things. In addition to utilities and amenities, a quality apartment should be equipped with plenty of storage.
- Pet Policy
If you have a furry friend, it should be something on the top of your list when searching for an apartment. Before falling in love with an apartment, make sure the property is pet-friendly. Also, determine the walkability of the neighbourhood so that you can take your pet on walks.
- Security
It’s imperative to relocate to an apartment that’s safe and private. Inquire if your apartment building has a doorman or any kind of security. Go through the local newspaper to weed out unsafe and burglary-prone neighbourhoods.
Final Words
While this is not an exhaustive list of features, we hope it helps you on your apartment hunt!
