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Life After the Dorm: Tips for Finding an Apartment

Posted on 06. Jan, 2009 by Alexandra Harrison in Apartments

Finding an apartment after graduation doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. In fact, it can actually be a lot of fun. But where do you get started? How do you go from living in a 10 x 12-foot dorm room and eating Ramen noodles every day to living in a 500-square foot apartment and learning how to cook over a *gasp* stove?

First, take a deep breath and remember that you’re a college graduate now. If you can survive four years of all-nighters, frat parties, hangovers, and that roommate who clipped his toe nails on your desk, you can certainly find a decent apartment.

It’s All About the Benjamins, Baby

First things first, how much can you afford to spend on rent? (If you don’t have a job yet, stop reading, get off Mom and Dad’s couch and start interviewing.) About 25% of your take-home pay (after Uncle Sam takes his cut), should go towards housing. Depending on where you live and how much you make, you may be able to live on your own. But, if you can only spend $250 a month on rent and most places require $500 a month – you’ll need a roommate.

Location, Location, Location

Before you start asking your buddies to bunk with you, figure out where you want to live. Do you want to live in the city (in which case, rent is probably going to be much higher and apartments much smaller)? Or do you want to find a place on the outskirts of town where the rent is cheaper, but you have to rely on public transportation to get to work? If you decide to rely on a train or a bus to get to work, be sure you add those expenses into your budget.

Check It Out

Once you find a place that meets your basic criteria, call the landlord to schedule a visit. The description of the apartment may seem like a dream come true: “3 BR, 2 BA, 1 CAR GARAGE NEAR TRAIN STATION. $500/MONTH,” but the actual condition of the property may be your worst nightmare. So take a full tour and don’t be afraid to test things out. Open all the closet doors and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom. Turn on the faucets and showers to test the water pressure. Try every light switch. Take care to notice the condition of the carpet, the windows, the entryway, and laundry area. If anything seems odd, ask about it. If you get a bad feeling about a place, scratch it off your list and keep looking.

Settle In and Grow Up

So, the lease is signed, the security deposit and first month’s rent paid – it’s time to move in. You may be tempted to paint the walls, hang up Christmas lights all around the room, crank up the bass on your stereo and rock out to your newfound freedom. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that stuff just won’t fly in the real world.

You landlord may not allow you paint the walls and you should check to see what the fees are for putting nail holes in the walls, too. And as far as the music and noise level goes, keep in mind that your neighbors probably aren’t fun-loving college grads like you. They may be a family with small children, a guy who works the graveyard shift, or a cranky old lady with nothing better to do but call the police and complain. So be careful, and be respectful.

The rest, baby bird, you can pretty much figure out on your own. Now, you will probably still be eating Ramen noodles for the first few weeks in your new place, but when you’re eating them in your own apartment, they’ll taste like a gourmet delicacy. So enjoy and happy hunting!

About Alexandra Harrison

Alexandra Harrison, a full-time copy writer and proofreader, holds a bachelor's degree in management and international Business. She speaks and writes Spanish fluently and has traveled extensively throughout Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.

Tags: decent apartment, finding an apartment, roommate