Finding Your First Place as a Young Professional: 14 First Apartment Tips

Stepping into the world of adulthood and finding your first apartment can be both exciting and overwhelming. The process involves a series of decisions, from setting a budget to understanding your needs and wants. In this blog post, I will guide you through the essential steps of finding your first apartment, offering practical first apartment tips and advice to ensure a smooth and successful search.

Determine Your Budget

Before embarking on your apartment hunt, it’s crucial to establish a realistic budget. Consider your income, savings, and monthly expenses. As a rule of thumb, your rent should ideally be no more than 30% of your monthly income. Be mindful of additional expenses like utilities, internet, and transportation costs. Once you have a clear budget in mind, it will help narrow down your options and avoid financial strain.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right location for your first apartment is essential. Evaluate your needs and preferences. Do you want to be close to your workplace, university, or family? Consider the neighborhood’s safety, proximity to public transportation, and access to amenities like grocery stores, parks, and restaurants. Research the neighborhood’s demographics to ensure you feel comfortable and welcomed as a South Asian individual.

Research the Area

In addition to evaluating the neighborhood’s basic amenities, it’s important to research the area on Google Maps and other online sources to see what there is to do within walking and easy driving distance. Look for nearby recreational facilities, shopping centers, entertainment venues, and cultural spots. South Asian communities often have specific needs and interests, so it can be beneficial to find areas that offer access to cultural events, restaurants, and community centers that cater to your background.

Check Google Maps for Busy Areas

Google Maps can be a valuable tool when searching for an apartment. Take a look at the map of the city and see if any areas are denoted as busy or high-traffic zones. These areas might be noisier, more crowded, and less desirable for some individuals. Consider your preferences for a quieter or busier living environment and choose a location that aligns with your lifestyle.

Roommates or Solo Living

Decide whether you want to live alone or with roommates. Living with roommates can be an excellent option to share expenses and create a social network, but it requires careful consideration. Choose roommates who share similar lifestyles, values, and cleanliness standards. On the other hand, living alone provides independence and privacy but comes with increased costs. Weigh the pros and cons based on your preferences and financial situation.

Schedule Visits and Explore the Area

Once you’ve shortlisted a few potential apartments, it’s essential to visit them in person. Set aside a weekend or a day to explore the area and schedule appointments to tour the apartments. Use this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood and get a feel for the surroundings. Take note of nearby facilities and services such as grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and public transportation options. Consider the commute to your workplace or educational institution and evaluate the convenience of the location. Keep a notebook with you and write down how you felt after touring the apartment, and what you liked and didn’t. Take pictures and videos of the place. Trust me, you’ll want to look back at them later.

Read the Lease Agreement Carefully

When you find the perfect apartment, read the lease agreement carefully before signing. Pay attention to the terms and conditions, including the length of the lease, rent payment schedule, pet policies, and maintenance responsibilities. Seek clarification on any clauses that seem ambiguous or confusing. It’s essential to fully understand your rights and obligations as a tenant.

Consider Safety and Security

Ensure that safety and security measures are in place in your potential apartment. Look for features such as secure entrances, well-lit hallways, functioning smoke detectors, and sturdy locks on doors and windows. Trust your instincts when it comes to the overall feeling of safety in the building and the neighborhood.

Create a List of Needs and Wants

This is a crucial step to narrowing down choices. Create a list of non-negotiable, such as in-unit washer and dryer or a dishwasher, and those that are not necessary but would be nice, such as a tub or pool. This helps so much when short-listing places since you don’t need to waste time on those that don’t fit your list.

Keep Track of Your Research

This is probably one of the most important in order to save time in the future. Create a saved list on Google Maps to help keep track of the places you are interested in. It makes it so easy to see where each is located and what is nearby. Make a running document of the apartments you find. Keep track of their website, average rent price for the unit style you are looking at, if utilities are included, amenities, leasing office times, and more. This will help you when it comes time to short listing and picking your favorite options. It’ll also help you remember the places you have already looked at and the reasons you loved or hated the place.

Embrace the Individualistic Journey

This is probably one of the first times you’ll truly be alone. Find an area that has a lot to explore and do. Be prepared to get comfortable doing things alone and remember this is likely going to be completely different compared to college. Document your journey to look back on, but also remember that this is a time for you to learn about yourself.

Prioritize Saving Money if You Can

This may be controversial, but as a young professional, you hopefully won’t be spending too much time in your apartment. Unless you work from home, you’ll be in the office or hanging out with friends. Try to find a smaller or cheaper place that can help you put more money towards investing. Looking back, this is something I wish I did because the money you put towards investing now will grow the most. I think there are plenty of great options out there that have everything you need and in the heart of most busy areas.

Try to Figure Out Your Work Schedule Early

I opted for a place that was a bit more expensive, which has its pros and cons. Because of my hybrid and remote work schedule, I wanted a place that I would be motivated to work in. This meant a bigger space and a desk outside my bedroom. However, if you are in-person, try to find a smaller and cheaper apartment if you can since most of your day won’t be spent at home.

Stick with Your Decision

If you are anything like me, you are going to feel anxious about starting this new chapter of your life. When I first moved to my own apartment in a new city I was entirely overwhelmed and, frankly, hated it. It was too much change all at once. But give yourself time to adapt and explore and make it your own. In time you’ll love the place you picked out. I always tell myself things happen for a reason so know there’s a reason why you chose the city and place that you did.

Conclusion

Finding your first apartment is an exciting milestone in your journey towards independence. By establishing a budget, considering the location, researching your options, and being thorough in your decision-making process, you can find the perfect apartment that suits your needs and preferences. Remember to prioritize safety, read the lease agreement carefully, and make necessary preparations for a successful move-in. Embrace this new chapter with confidence, knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to find your first apartment and create a space that reflects your unique identity and aspirations.

With love,
Aditi <3
Aditi Rani – Figuring Out Life in Your Twenties

*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. Some links are affiliate. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a commission. It does not alter the price or change your buyer experience.