When you move in to a new apartment, you want to make sure you are getting the best possible deal for your money. In a major city, this can be even more difficult because of the added expenses of living in such an area. Doing a little research ahead of time can save you endless headache down the road when it comes to your apartment, so, what should you be looking for?
Furnished Apartments
Fully furnished apartments are becoming more and more popular, especially in metro areas like Los Angeles. Thanks to this, finding furnished apartments in LA is easier than ever, but you will need to watch out with these. The rent is likely higher to cover the cost of the furniture. This may not seem great at first, if you already have your own furniture, but consider the time and effort to move it all into an apartment, only to have to move it out again when you leave. This makes furnished apartments an attractive offer since moving costs alone can be several hundred dollars.
If you don’t have any of your own furniture, then this is easily the best option. Furniture is expensive and you don’t realize just how quickly it adds up until you are trying to furnish your new home for the first time.
Location
What is the point of getting a great price on an apartment if you are wasting all your time sitting in traffic trying to get to work? If possible, try to find an apartment that is in a central location for you. You will also want to check out the neighborhood first and make sure it is safe. If you can, speak to the local mail carrier. It may seem odd, but these are people that see this neighborhood every day. They know it much better than you would imagine and can provide invaluable insight.
There are several more things to consider when looking for a new place to live, but if you make sure it is in a convenient and safe location then you are on the right track.