Find the perfect apartment can seem like torture. Finding one that fits your budget, location, personal taste can be a real headache. There are things you should consider when looking for an apartment, especially in DC.
Set Aside Enough Time
Apartment hunting in larger cities isn’t a quick process. It takes time to find something that fits your criteria. On top of that, you have the competition of a lot more people looking for exactly the same thing as you. You may find something you like today, but you’re not 100% sold on. So, you decide to sleep on it only to find out the very next day it’s good. Someone offered to pay more and knew what they wanted. These things happen all the time and can really slow up the process.
Set Your Criteria
What are some must-haves for you? What are things you absolutely cannot do? What are things you can live with? All of these things need to be hashed over before you start your search. You can greatly narrow down your search time by having a list you can refer to. Knowing the location, how many rooms, cost, etc all help you to know what is worth your time looking at. If you have a pet you this is going to be a must-have for you. Not all apartments allow pets, so you’ll have to make sure the places you look into does.
Look Into Different Neighborhoods
Depending on which area you choose to live in you could find yourself paying upwards of 5,000 a month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Whereas in other areas the cost can be as low as 1,100 (estimated) a month. Some areas are better suited for you professionals while others are better for families, retirees, and those looking for a more suburban feel. Do you want to live in the city or closer to the water in the Foggy Bottom area? Location is definitely something to consider. You can use apartment hunting websites that allow you to see more of the apartments available as well as the surrounding area. This can give you a better feel for the location.
Price
Ultimately, where you live will be heavily based on what you can afford. Studio apartments are the cheapest option but depending on the area they can be the same as a bigger apartment in a less popular area. DC is one of the more expensive states in the country in terms of rental cost. This is something to take into consideration. What you spend on rent will be decided on the size, location, and other amenities. Take note of these as you search around.
It can take a while to find the right apartment. You have to think about how far it is from work and whether or not there is easy access to public transport or if you have to use your personal vehicle or take a taxi. All of these are things to factor into your apartment hunt. Be realistic with your expectations about time, cost, and location.