Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Apartment Hunting Help

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Apartment Hunting Help

    I'm looking for apartments in Virginia, kinda near the Woodbridge, Dale City ish area. Everything I'm finding is like $1,100 for a one bedroom apartment. I'm guessing since it's near DC that that's normal.

    If anyone knows the area and has suggestions, or even things to pay attention to, I could use the help. I've never gotten an apartment before so I don't really know what I'm doing.
    "I've found that when you want to know the truth about someone, that someone is probably the last person you should ask." - House

  • #2
    Questions:

    Are you looking for a place for just yourself, or a place to share?
    What size place are you looking for?
    What are your requirements in an apartment? Myself, I MUST have a good kitchen AND a dishwasher. These are not negotiable for me. Others have different priorities.

    Feel free to ask questions. Hell, feel free to think of questions and then right them down and bring the list with you. And feel free to make notes. If you look at a lot of apartments (and it makes sense that you would), you will quickly forget which apartment had the killer kitchen but no storage space, and which one had a great view....of the city dump.

    Random things to consider, off the top of my head:

    --I always look at the kitchen, both for storage space and prep area, not to mention what the appliances are like.
    --I always make sure any potential residence has plenty of outlets. Not all places do.
    --Does it have central AC and heating?
    --Is it furnished? Do you need it furnished? Or are you looking to furnish it yourself?
    --Does it have a good space for a good TV. (I know you are a sports fan like me.)
    --What kind of storage space/closets does it have?
    --Does it have a washer/dryer? If not, does the complex have a laundry room? A laundromat close by?
    --Is it in a secure area? How are the locks? No matter how secure an area, you don't want to move into a place where the locks are poorly fitted to the point that they are jiggling in the door frame and your average third grader could break in without breaking a sweat. (Yes, I've seen this. Recently.)
    --Who is responsible for what? If there are repairs needed, is that your responsibility or the landlord's/management company's? What utilities, if any, are included? What will you be expected to pay for?
    --What is the neighborhood like? Could you comfortably live there? And it's not just a matter of safety and security. For example, if there are a lot of neighbors that enjoy cooking a lot of stuff with garlic, and the smell of garlic makes you cringe, that is probably not the neighborhood for you. Also, are there are lot of kids around? This could indicate a strong family presence, which would preclude parties if you are so inclined. Of course, a lot of kids can sometimes be a lot of SCREAMING kids, and if you like your sleep or peace and quiet, that may not work. Also, is it a party neighborhood? This could be a plus or a minus, depending on your outlook on such things.
    --Are businesses important to your way of life conveniently located? This may be bars, it may be grocery stores, it may be clubs, it may be bowling alleys. I don't know. It's your life, you need to figure out what you want close, and what you are fine not having close by.
    --Does the place appear to be solidly built, or can you hear the neighbors next door calmly discussing Shakespeare?
    --If it's a place with an apartment above it, you will have people walking on your head. Are you okay with that? Also, if it's a place above another place, you may have people below you who are not happy having people walking on their heads. I personally like living on the second floor with no one above me, for these and other reasons, but you may have different preferences.
    --Not something I have to deal with down here in the tropics, but who is responsible for weather situations, like clearing snow or salting icy sidewalks? You? The complex? The city?
    --Is the place in a flood plain? Is it in a flood plain prone to flooding? If so, take it from me: just say no.
    --Is it carpeted or does it have hardwood floors. You may prefer one or the other. Each has its advantages and drawbacks.
    --What are the average utilities for the area, or for the specific complex. Some places will hedge the numbers they give you, but if you go in expecting them to hedge, and you know the average for the area, you'll be fine.
    --Will you need your own parking spot? Will it be provided? Will it be covered? Is parking open? On the street? Nonexistent? Driveway? Valeted by girls in bikinis?
    --How do they feel about nail holes in the wall? If you like to decorate, put up shelves, or hang a bike from the ceiling, these are important things to know.
    --If you don't like the color, how do they feel about you painting? Or is this not a priority to you?
    --Some complexes have amenities that may or may not be important to you, including fitness rooms, additional storage, swimming pools, business/computer centers, lounge area, sun decks where girls in bikinis lay out? Yes, these ARE questions I ask. I like girls in bikinis. Sue me. (But no, it's never been a deal breaker for me.)
    --Who's responsible for the yard work? You? Them?
    --If you are so inclined, are you allowed to have grills on your balconies? Does the place have a balcony? If so, a grill is probably not a great idea, so don't even ask.
    --When is the rent due? What is the grace period for being late, if any? What are the penalties for late rent, if any? Obviously, no one ever wants to be late on such things, but it is good to know what the deal is, as life has a habit of happening around your best laid plans.

    I am sure others will have other ideas, but having lived in more apartments than I can count, I figured I'd give you a bit of insight.

    Good luck. And tell me how the bikinis work out....

    "The Customer Is Always Right...But The Bartender Decides Who Is
    Still A Customer."

    Comment


    • #3
      I'm not sure what the bikini situation is like. I'll have to research that.

      Kitchen I don't care too much about. Just need a working fridge, stove/oven, toaster oven and a little working room. I suck at cooking so I tend not to get elaborate in there.

      All the places I've been looking at have central AC/heating. Big must for me.

      Gotta have space for a big ass TV. My place, gonna make it somewhere that I want to come home to. Ditto for making sure I'll have speakers in the living room.

      I really want some place with a washer/drier in each apartment. I hate having to go outside to another room to do laundry.

      Most of the places I've been looking at seem to be gated communities with security teams. Plenty of parking.

      Plenty of the other stuff is good and while I care about them, wouldn't even think about it. I'll have to print out lists of stuff to ask about for when I go and actually look at places.

      Other things I forgot to mention: I'm getting an apartment by myself. I've dealt with roommates throughout college. For the most part, I HATED it. I'm not the cleanest person and if you ever see one of my bedrooms, you'll understand. But when I have my own place, the kitchen is always clean, the living room is always clean, the bathroom is always clean. Roommates just cause messes and break stuff. Not worth the hassle.
      Last edited by Greenday; 11-27-2012, 03:09 AM.
      "I've found that when you want to know the truth about someone, that someone is probably the last person you should ask." - House

      Comment


      • #4
        DC area's baaaad costwise. Sorry to break to you, but its pretty much going to be mostly like that. We looked around there a few years ago, and....its just ridiculous.

        On the upside, usually you earn more over there too, so it...sorta kinda balances out a bit.
        By popular request....I am now officially the Enemy of Normalcy.

        "What is unobtainium? To Seraph, it's a normal client. :P" -- Observant Friend

        Comment


        • #5
          Quoth Greenday View Post
          I'm not sure what the bikini situation is like. I'll have to research that.
          Good to see that you have your priorities straight!

          Quoth Greenday View Post
          Kitchen I don't care too much about. Just need a working fridge, stove/oven, toaster oven and a little working room
          But at least you know what you need/want/is acceptable to you. However, be advised that in my experience, while most apartment kitchens come with a working fridge and oven/stove, not all have that much room for working in (hence the reason for mentioning it), most do not come with a toaster oven (you generally supply it), and it's about a toss-up on the ones that do or don't come with microwaves.

          Quoth Greenday View Post
          All the places I've been looking at have central AC/heating. Big must for me.

          Gotta have space for a big ass TV. My place, gonna make it somewhere that I want to come home to. Ditto for making sure I'll have speakers in the living room.

          I really want some place with a washer/drier in each apartment. I hate having to go outside to another room to do laundry.
          Again, these are your priorities, and you know to look for them. That is good.

          But make sure you are looking for what are YOUR priorities. I may have missed stuff that is important to you, or mentioned stuff that is unimportant to you. Just make sure you figure out your priorities, and focus on them.

          Quoth Greenday View Post
          Other things I forgot to mention: I'm getting an apartment by myself.
          And so you'll be looking at the apartments in a different way than if you were going to be sharing it.

          For example, I know that after Hurricane Wilma destroyed our old place, I looked for a new place for me and my roommates, and my search back the was far different than when I was doing some reconnaissance apartment hunting the last time I was in Phoenix, when I was looking for a place for myself. I like living with roommates, but I think when I move back to Phoenix, I am going to want to live on my own, especially since I think that I could afford, for what I'm paying here for a third of a three-bedroom two-bath, my own two-bedroom place. Sure, I'd probably be making less in the average job there, but I still think I could swing it.

          But that is my priority, and my finances. You need to figure out what yours are, and make your search parameters appropriate to them.

          Hope this all makes sense. I just woke up, so chances are good that this post will be far less lucid that my earlier one, which I made last night.

          "The Customer Is Always Right...But The Bartender Decides Who Is
          Still A Customer."

          Comment


          • #6
            You might want to search the site; I'm pretty sure there's a couple other apartment hunting/moving sorta threads floating around here. They might have some good info for you.
            I don't go in for ancient wisdom
            I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
            It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

            Comment

            Working...
            X