- They say that home is where the heart is. It’s also where you spend most of your time, so you better like it.
- Define the apartment must-haves you need to make your home your happy place.
- Find an apartment that meets your specific needs and love where you live.
Whether you’re a first-time renter or a seasoned veteran in the renting world, everyone has their own apartment must-haves. When it comes to defining the things you need to live comfortably in a new place, there are some things you need to consider. Listed below are just a few of those things.
1. In-unit washer-dryer
While a select few enjoy the communal aspect of a weekly visit to the shared laundry room or a local laundromat, a large majority of prospective renters will have an in-unit washer-dryer near the top of their apartment must-have list. It’s understandable, no one wants their freshly washed laundry tossed on a counter the second they’re done by someone eagerly awaiting their turn with the machine.
While this convenience is tough to beat, there are a couple of downsides to keep in mind with regards to in-unit washer dryers.
- Many apartment-sized washer-dryer units are not capable of handling more than a few items at a time. So, if you’re stuck with a smaller washer-dryer unit, forget about fitting a set of queen-size sheets in there.
- If you’re in a small apartment and the washer-dryer is in your primary living area, these units are extremely loud. So, if you’re working from home while doing your laundry, you may want to invest in a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to drown out the excess noise.
Regardless of whether your apartment has the washer-dryer setup you imagined, the most important thing is that you feel at home every time you walk through the front door.
2. On-site gym
The on-site gym is a polarizing amenity. A daily ritual for some and a source of shame for others.
It’s not hard to figure out which category you fall into here. If you’re serious about working out, make sure you take a tour of the gym to see if it has the proper equipment to meet your fitness needs.
If working out is not necessarily your thing, ask about alternate routes to the elevator that won’t force you to walk by the gym every day. This will help you avoid feeling the shame that comes with not working out in the gym that’s just a minute’s walk from your door.
3. Take a dip or take a skip
Ahh, the apartment pool…essential year-round if you live in Arizona, not the top priority when you find yourself moving into an apartment in Upstate New York.
It’s also important to find out how rowdy the community pool is on the weekends at a perspective apartment complex. Some apartment pools serve as a relaxing oasis for residents, others provide more of an all-weekend party vibe that’s not for everyone.
If possible, take a tour on a nice Saturday afternoon and see what the vibe is like. This will provide an accurate gauge of what your potential pool is all about during prime hours.
4. Dedicated parking
People like consistency. And the consistency provided by assigned parking can serve as a comfort to many renters, especially those living in larger complexes with complicated parking parameters.
If having a dedicated parking space is something that matters to you and significantly affects the quality of your everyday life, be sure to ask about the parking policies before signing your lease agreement.
A couple of things to consider regarding parking:
- Many apartment complexes that don’t have assigned parking spots for all residents do offer a select few assigned parking spaces for an additional cost on your monthly rent. Oftentimes, these spots are closer to the complex entrance and extremely convenient, providing ample bang for your buck.
- If you’re the type that likes to entertain, be sure to inquire about the number of visitor spots, or lack thereof, available. Some complexes are generous with their guest spots, while others offer little to no spaces for visitors. This can make simple things like having one or two friends over a frustrating feat.
While parking can make a big difference in your life, the real top priority should be whether or not you feel safe leaving your car in the designated parking area overnight and if you feel safe making the trip from your spot to your complex at any time of the day or night.
5. Trash service
Trash service is super convenient for some and a headache for others, depending on the size of your apartment complex and the frequency of pickups, making this luxury a polarizing apartment must-have.
If you live in a smaller complex with a trash room that’s only a minute or two from your door, then you shouldn’t worry about whether or not your apartment offers a trash concierge service.
On the other hand, if you’re in a large complex with an inconveniently placed trash room or communal dumpster, a concierge service can make a big difference. Some complexes require tenants to sign up for this service while others make it optional.
Keep in mind, if your apartment complex’s trash service only picks up one time a week, be diligent about setting out your trash early that day or sometime the night before. If you forget, you’ll be dealing with the smell of a week’s worth of trash until the next pickup time.
6. Balcony
Whether or not you need a balcony is a personal preference. Some people need (not just want) private access to the great outdoors. When you’re in an apartment, that means a balcony. Whether it’s a wrap-around porch off of a corner unit or a Juliet balcony right off the living room in your 500 square-foot apartment, a private escape beyond the confines of your apartment walls is an essential amenity to some and a luxurious bonus to others.
Take the time to take stock of your personal preferences and identify the category you fall into before signing your lease and locking in your fate.
7. Natural light
Similar to the balcony, natural light is a matter of personal preference. Some people need it to live a happy life indoors, others are fine with fluorescents, LEDs and candles.
Odds are, you’ll be able to easily figure out which camp you fall into during your apartment tour. If you’re moving long-distance and are only able to tour your apartment virtually, be sure to reach out to a representative of the complex and inquire about the natural light in the specific units you’re considering.
To each their own
Above all else, remember that your apartment is your happy place. Don’t let any outside forces define your apartment must-haves or determine the things you need to be happy in your home.
