Apartments have become an increasingly popular choice for living due to their maintenance-free lifestyle, flexibility, amenities, and much more.
But what are the characteristics or things to consider when considering apartment living?
The main characteristics of apartments include location, size, bedrooms, sound control, windows, amenities, parking, appliances, and service.
Location
Real estate is all about location. Often, apartment buildings are found in larger cities or central areas, such as near a downtown business area. It’s important to compare the locations and walkability of each.
Size
Is the apartment big enough to accommodate your lifestyle? Is it an open or closed floor plan? How many square feet?
Number of Beds and Bathrooms
Ideally, you’d want enough bedrooms and bathrooms. Most common is 1 bedroom/1 bathroom and 2 bedroom/2 bathroom. 3 bedrooms and above are possible but less common.
Sound Control
Sound control is vital because you are often located next to, above, or below others. You want to beware of the old saying my apartment has paper-thin walls! For more reading, check out How to find a quiet apartment.
Windows and Natural Light
The more windows and natural light in the apartment, the more airy and bright it will look, so this is an essential factor to consider. On the other hand, older apartments, especially those built before 1965, tend to have smaller windows.
Another feature which helps with natural light is ceiling height. Larger ceilings can make the space feel much bigger.
Outdoor Space
How much outdoor space does the apartment have? A balcony or a patio can be fantastic as it adds to your living area, and provides a way to relax outside.
Amenities
Some apartment complexes have resort-like amenities, including pools, fitness centers, and clubhouses. If these are important to you, ask if your apartment has this characteristic.
Parking
If you have a car, you’ll likely want an apartment building that provides enough parking (see more how much parking is enough for my apartment). Also, you’ll want to consider being near transit.
Service
Responsive maintenance and management are critical. Most people fail to consider this feature of an apartment, but it is arguably just as important as any other feature. Things will break, and you’ll want to make sure you have responsive and caring management.
Check out reviews online and ask around.
Appliances
Appliances such as a washer/dryer, central heating and cooling, and a dishwasher (among the most popular apartment appliance features) can dramatically improve your living convenience. If you don’t have a washer/dryer inside your apartment, you’ll want to make sure it is relatively close by.
Hopefully, now you’re more familiar with the most popular and important apartment characteristics or features. As you begin your apartment search, consider all of them.
