Location! Location! Location!

By Allie Caton on July 19, 2017

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

There’s a reason why real estate agents preach “Location! Location! Location!” to their clients — location really does matter when choosing a spot to live.

Your apartment location impacts a number of areas of your daily life, so it’s important that you make the right decision so that it doesn’t impact negatively. The location of where you live dictates cost of travel, travel time, how often you order food delivery, how often you go to the gym — the list goes on!

Your apartment location quickly becomes an essential part of your daily lifestyle. It’s important that you take location very seriously in your search.

Here are a few ways that you can determine if an apartment’s location is a good fit for your day to day life.

Work commute

The location of your apartment will make or break what you can accomplish in your free time. If you are commuting an hour to and from work, that is going to impact the amount of time that you have for yourself. It will affect your sleep, time with friends, getting in a workout, and even just relaxation time for you.

Commuting an extra hour from work is not a fun extension of your day. Make sure that you choose an apartment that is close to your work. The closer you are, the more time you have for yourself, and the less money you spend on transportation. The closer the better!

Proximity to shopping and restaurants

It’s not fun to live out in the middle of nowhere. Whenever friends want to go out to dinner, you have to leave an hour and a half early to make sure you get there on time. It makes activities that should be enjoyable a hassle. When choosing an apartment, take notice of the places nearby. Are there any restaurants you are interested in? Any shopping centers or movie theaters?

If the area surrounding the apartment is barren, consider checking out some other places instead. Even if the rent is cheap, you may end up becoming isolated and missing out on fun experiences.

Proximity to laundry and groceries

This is a big one. If the apartment building itself doesn’t have laundry, make sure that there is a laundromat close by. Laundry is already a hassle, so don’t make it harder for yourself by having to lug it miles away to clean it. The bigger of a hassle laundry is, the less likely it becomes that you are going to do it. This can either lead to extra money spent on new underwear, doling out cash for a laundry pickup company, or just your apartment slowly becoming stinkier until the laundry can’t be put off any longer.

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Another thing to consider is how close your apartment is to the grocery store. Carrying groceries for miles is awful (although a good workout, but not a fun one). Having an apartment close to a grocery store will cut down on painful trudges and costs of transportation.

Safety and comfort

Crime is a big thing to consider when choosing an apartment. Before signing a lease, do some research on the neighborhood you could be living in. While you’re touring it, be aware of your surroundings. Are there frequent police patrols going around? Is the security of the apartment building strong? Are the locks on the apartment doors in good condition? Home should be somewhere you feel safe, and living in a high-crime area makes it hard to drop your guard, even in your own apartment.

In a similar vein, make sure that your neighbors aren’t going to cause problems with you. Before moving in somewhere, take the step to introduce yourself to your neighbors. First impressions can tell you a lot about whether someone is the type of person to be blasting music at 4 a.m. or banging on your door every day to “borrow” food.

Take into account the noise surrounding the building as well. If you are right next to a train track or close to an airport, the noise is going to be a nuisance.

Ask questions

When touring apartments, make sure you come prepared with the right questions. Ask the property owner how long the last tenants lived there, how long the apartment has been empty, how old the apartment is, and if there have been any renovations. All of these things give you a more well-rounded idea of if the area is enjoyable to live in.

Also make sure that by the time you leave, you know how old all the appliances are and if they are in working condition, what utilities are included in the rent, and who is responsible for maintenance issues. Signing on for an apartment is a big decision, so you want to be as informed as you can be before taking the plunge.

Moving into your own apartment can be hard, so don’t make it any harder by choosing a difficult location. Carefully consider all aspects of your life and how your apartment location would fit into them.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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