Apartment hunting advice

[DarkwingChuck]

Basically I want to move out of my mom's house. I have some money and my disposal but I don't really know how to go about it. I've checked Apartment Guide and found a couple places that are cheap and near my school. They might be hellholes though for all I know. Should I be checking the classifieds and stuff too? Any advice for a guy trying to get his own place for the first time would be appreciated.

[irate giraffe]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

CL worked well for me. depends on where you live though.

[Armored]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

"They might be hellholes though for all I know"

Arrange to take a look around, if you don't like it, say it's not for you and walk out. Classifieds, and try asking all of your friends, knowing people who know some people can really help you out here.

Oh, and welcome to hell.

[Pagerron]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

Try the classfied ads too if you can. Visit four or five places at least before making a decision.

My first experience in an apt. was with a roommate. I lived with him for a few years. I was so glad to be out on my own totally though later. I don't think it's "hell" at all. It's so nice to be independent.

[Alzar]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

Most apartments require you to make 2.5 to 3.0 times the rent in gross per month, unless you have a cosigner, or you live with a roommate, or whatever.

Through your school housing department is also a good bet.

http://apartmentratings.com/ is helpful

GOOD LUCK ITS SUPER FUN

[Nixon]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

Watch out for all the deposits. If you don't need much space or you don't want a roommate, efficiency apartments are the way to go.

[SkylureX]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

I need to start looking for a new apartment too, since my lease is up soon. I've always found places online, then the realtor for that place picked me up and showed me all the similar apartments in the area.

[Crimson Knight]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

Yeah, you have to make a lot of money or have support through roommates/cosigners. Also, deposits for the first month are a *****, so save up lots of dough for them, and some extra for settling in.

Make sure you know what you want, then take a look around. Make sure there's ventilation, proper AC etc. I say that if people aren't confident enough to let you look around, walk away.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

I could probably get somebody to cosign. I really would rather not have a roommate and I don't know anybody I would/could move in with or have move with me anyway. I'm trying to get a job but with almost no work experience I haven't had much luck. The last job I had paid next to nothing. I don't mind minimum wage as long as I can work enough hours for it to add up to something but min wage on less than 10 hours a week isn't enough to cover cab fare.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

FRIENDS CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMIES.

http://www.pavilionboards.com/forum/...ead.php?t=8185

[jvrlopez]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

Yeah, don't forget about that either.

[Kit Carruthers]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

If you live in a cold area test the furnace. For some reason I didn't test the furnace.

Test the furnace.

[Shard]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

It depends a lot on the market you're in as well. Keep in mind off-site parking, utilities (who pays them and which ones), AC, washer/dryer units...can all affect the real price you'll be paying monthly. Usually you can get slightly better deals for longer leases, unless the housing market in your area has just tanked.

Any online apartment ratings are usually skewed towards the bad end. Disgruntled people are more likely to let their feelings known than content people. There's no substitute for checking the place out yourself. If you decide on a place that you like, take a cheap camera around and photograph everything that was wrong with the place when you moved in. I've had instances where proprietors will bill for everything they can imagine to keep hold of your deposit.

If you're staring down the barrel of minimum wage, and trying a solo apartment, do yourself a favor and get some renter's insurance after you move in. Most likely you won't be living in grand circumstances, and the leasing company/owner of the building is not liable for any possessions of yours that get stolen, burnt in a fire, etc.

Good luck and godspeed.

[gray]

Re: Apartment hunting advice

use the entire apartment when you kill it. let no part go to waste.




consume the kitchenette