Apartment Hunt - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sillygirl · 11-09-2003, 08:07 AM

I'm currently in the process of looking for an apartment. Does anyone have any hints for me or advice? What are some good questions to ask when I go to look at them?

phredgreen · 11-09-2003, 08:23 AM

you really have to base your search around what you want. what are you looking to get out of this place? are you planning on being there for a long time, or is it just someplace to crash for a year or so? do you have any special circumstances (kids, pets, disabilities) that are going to rule your desicion in this place? what kind of amenities does it have and what exactly do you need? big kitchen? massive closets? fireplace? washer and dryer? what does that particular apartment include in the rent price, in regards to utilities? what kind of resident does the apartment complex that you're looking at cater to (families, students, older folks, etc.)? how much are you looking to spend and how does each apartment you're looking at compare with comparable apartments in the area?

these are all things you need to ask yourself before you go looking, and after you've answered each of these questions, your search will be heaps easier. what you want and what you need is gonna determine what kind of apartment you get.

oberon · 11-09-2003, 06:18 PM

phredgreen basically said it all...

It's a good idea to ask friends for recommendations on good places to live. They can often tell you how the apartment management behaves and whether there were any problems with the building a particular apartment was in. Like if there were any insect or rat problems, plumbing, or whatnot.

mutatrope · 11-09-2003, 09:41 PM

See if you can talk to somebody that lives there. After you stop by the office stop by the laundry room or pool or whatever and asks somebody who lives there what they think about the place. You should also ask if the model or whatever the office showed you is an accurate representation of the actual apartments. Good luck.

Mephisto2 · 11-10-2003, 12:52 AM

Your budget will be your main constraint.

Do you intend to share or live alone?

Do you drive or use public transport? If you drive, does the apartment come with a garage? If not, will your car be safe? If using public transport, will you be close to the station?

Another major factor will be the neighbourhood. Even if you're married or seeing someone, there's always going to be times when you're walking down your street alone. Is it safe? Also, if you're renting an apartment, try to avoid the ground-floor. It will be noisier and also more prone to breakins.

Once you find somewhere you like, ask for an inspection/tour. Try to swing by sometime later in the day near to rush hour. Is the traffic too heavy? What do the neighbours look like?

Amenities are also important. Is there a local shop nearby? If you're into exercise, jogging, cycling etc, is there a park close by? Sometimes it's nice just to have a little green space.

Finally, if at all possible try to get somewhere with a balcony (though preferably not one that's easy to climb up to). Having lived in apartments for the past 4 years I can tell you it's great being able to get some air & sunshine. If you're lucky you might get one large enough for a sun-bed or BBQ and some small plants. It makes a world of difference.

Good luck in your search and let us know how you got on!

Mr Mephisto

Cynthetiq · 11-10-2003, 08:03 AM

all good ideas.

if you have furniture, think about how it's going to fit into the place. Nothing sucks worse than having to "throw away" some piece of furniture becuase it doesn't fit into your new digs.

going during rush hour is also a great idea. go to the neighborhood during the weekend. what's it like? what kind of people do you see walking around? hanging around?

what amenities are nearby? how far to the grocery store? the chinese food place? how long will it take to visit your friends? if your friends drive over will they be able to find parking easily?

Ripsaw · 11-10-2003, 10:02 AM

Since I'm crazy, and I knew I wasn't going to be living on my own, I had to make sure the neighborhood I was in was going to be safe for my fiance. I visited the area at night, checked the hours for local businesses, and saw who was wandering up and down the strip. I checked on the laundromat, the convenience store, and the public transportation.

sipsake · 11-10-2003, 10:11 AM

Before you sign a lease go over it thoroughly and if there's anything you don't understand ask someone to explain it.

Write everything down! Even if it's the landlord/owner telling you something, make sure it's in writing.

If there is any damage visible in the apartment, document it with photos before signing the lease. Carpet stains, peeling paint...anything.

If your moving into a complex, talk to a few of the other renters. They can have valuable information about the complex and management.

sipsake · 11-10-2003, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
if you have furniture, think about how it's going to fit into the place. Nothing sucks worse than having to "throw away" some piece of furniture becuase it doesn't fit into your new digs.

Heh heh...

Wish I had thought about that a couple of years ago. I moved into a gorgeous 2nd story duplex. Had 3 professional movers try for almost an hour to fit my couch through the doors before giving up. Ended up giving it to one of the movers.

sillygirl · 11-10-2003, 01:31 PM

Right now I'm not positive if I'll be living alone or with someone. We'll see about that in the near/moderate future. Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! I'll keep you all posted!

VitaminH · 11-12-2003, 08:50 AM

Be sure to go over everything in the apartment and be anal. There's nothing worse then moving in, and getting a case of diarrhea only to find the toliet doesn't flush properlly. Check stove bruners and make sure they work, be sure the fridge is cold, no leaky pipes under the sink etc...

Ok so the diarrhea may be extreme, but hey...it could happen...

wannabenakid247 · 11-12-2003, 09:11 AM

Don't trust agents descriptions.

My mate went to look at a flat that was advertised as having an en-suite Bathroom and sounded really nice. When he was shown around the bedroom he asked "where is the en-suite bathroom?"
The agent said "here". He opened a cupboard door and they had fitted a shower inside a cupboard, glued tiles up the wall and plumbed it in.

Some en-suite bathroom

sillygirl · 11-12-2003, 04:39 PM

Quote:

He opened a cupboard door and they had fitted a shower inside a cupboard, glued tiles up the wall and plumbed it in.

OMG! How sad, and yet, I'm laughing my ass off.....

Well, it looks like it might be a while before I move, seeing as my car is in desperate need of replacing.....

11-09-2003, 08:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
sillygirl Newlywed Location: at home	Apartment Hunt I'm currently in the process of looking for an apartment. Does anyone have any hints for me or advice? What are some good questions to ask when I go to look at them? __________________ Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly-Rose Franken ....absence makes me miss him more...

11-09-2003, 08:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
phredgreen who? Location: the phoenix metro	you really have to base your search around what you want. what are you looking to get out of this place? are you planning on being there for a long time, or is it just someplace to crash for a year or so? do you have any special circumstances (kids, pets, disabilities) that are going to rule your desicion in this place? what kind of amenities does it have and what exactly do you need? big kitchen? massive closets? fireplace? washer and dryer? what does that particular apartment include in the rent price, in regards to utilities? what kind of resident does the apartment complex that you're looking at cater to (families, students, older folks, etc.)? how much are you looking to spend and how does each apartment you're looking at compare with comparable apartments in the area? these are all things you need to ask yourself before you go looking, and after you've answered each of these questions, your search will be heaps easier. what you want and what you need is gonna determine what kind of apartment you get. __________________ My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. - Thomas Paine

11-09-2003, 06:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	phredgreen basically said it all... It's a good idea to ask friends for recommendations on good places to live. They can often tell you how the apartment management behaves and whether there were any problems with the building a particular apartment was in. Like if there were any insect or rat problems, plumbing, or whatnot. __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

11-10-2003, 08:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	all good ideas. if you have furniture, think about how it's going to fit into the place. Nothing sucks worse than having to "throw away" some piece of furniture becuase it doesn't fit into your new digs. going during rush hour is also a great idea. go to the neighborhood during the weekend. what's it like? what kind of people do you see walking around? hanging around? what amenities are nearby? how far to the grocery store? the chinese food place? how long will it take to visit your friends? if your friends drive over will they be able to find parking easily? __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

11-10-2003, 10:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	Since I'm crazy, and I knew I wasn't going to be living on my own, I had to make sure the neighborhood I was in was going to be safe for my fiance. I visited the area at night, checked the hours for local businesses, and saw who was wandering up and down the strip. I checked on the laundromat, the convenience store, and the public transportation. __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

11-09-2003, 09:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
mutatrope Upright	See if you can talk to somebody that lives there. After you stop by the office stop by the laundry room or pool or whatever and asks somebody who lives there what they think about the place. You should also ask if the model or whatever the office showed you is an accurate representation of the actual apartments. Good luck.

11-10-2003, 12:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Your budget will be your main constraint. Do you intend to share or live alone? Do you drive or use public transport? If you drive, does the apartment come with a garage? If not, will your car be safe? If using public transport, will you be close to the station? Another major factor will be the neighbourhood. Even if you're married or seeing someone, there's always going to be times when you're walking down your street alone. Is it safe? Also, if you're renting an apartment, try to avoid the ground-floor. It will be noisier and also more prone to breakins. Once you find somewhere you like, ask for an inspection/tour. Try to swing by sometime later in the day near to rush hour. Is the traffic too heavy? What do the neighbours look like? Amenities are also important. Is there a local shop nearby? If you're into exercise, jogging, cycling etc, is there a park close by? Sometimes it's nice just to have a little green space. Finally, if at all possible try to get somewhere with a balcony (though preferably not one that's easy to climb up to). Having lived in apartments for the past 4 years I can tell you it's great being able to get some air & sunshine. If you're lucky you might get one large enough for a sun-bed or BBQ and some small plants. It makes a world of difference. Good luck in your search and let us know how you got on! Mr Mephisto

11-10-2003, 10:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
sipsake Psycho Location: Memphis	Before you sign a lease go over it thoroughly and if there's anything you don't understand ask someone to explain it. Write everything down! Even if it's the landlord/owner telling you something, make sure it's in writing. If there is any damage visible in the apartment, document it with photos before signing the lease. Carpet stains, peeling paint...anything. If your moving into a complex, talk to a few of the other renters. They can have valuable information about the complex and management. __________________ When life hands you a lemon, say "Oh yeah, I like lemons. What else you got?" Henry Rollins

11-10-2003, 01:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
sillygirl Newlywed Location: at home	Right now I'm not positive if I'll be living alone or with someone. We'll see about that in the near/moderate future. Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! I'll keep you all posted! __________________ Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly-Rose Franken ....absence makes me miss him more...

11-12-2003, 08:50 AM	#11 (permalink)
VitaminH An embarrassment to myself and those around me... Location: Pants	Be sure to go over everything in the apartment and be anal. There's nothing worse then moving in, and getting a case of diarrhea only to find the toliet doesn't flush properlly. Check stove bruners and make sure they work, be sure the fridge is cold, no leaky pipes under the sink etc... Ok so the diarrhea may be extreme, but hey...it could happen... __________________ "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte

11-12-2003, 09:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
wannabenakid247 Registered User Location: Wales, UK	Don't trust agents descriptions. My mate went to look at a flat that was advertised as having an en-suite Bathroom and sounded really nice. When he was shown around the bedroom he asked "where is the en-suite bathroom?" The agent said "here". He opened a cupboard door and they had fitted a shower inside a cupboard, glued tiles up the wall and plumbed it in. Some en-suite bathroom