There are several reasons why you might desire to find a new residence. Whether you’re moving for a job, a fresh start, to save money, or for another reason, moving can be both joyful and thrilling as well as stressful and exhausting.
Whether this is your first apartment or you move every year or two, there are a few key questions you should ask yourself to ensure a smooth transition.
If you’re relocating to downtown Kansas City and think Summit on Quality Hill might be the place for you, take a look around our website and apply now to see what’s available! Our great leasing team would be delighted to meet you!
1. What is important to you, and what can you afford?
You should have a decent concept of what you’re searching for before you start looking for a new apartment. The first step is to consider your budget to have a clearer sense of how much you want to spend on rent each month. Remember that most apartment management companies demand your net income (before taxes) to be at least three times the monthly rent, so if you’re looking at a $1,000/month unit, you’d need to make $3,000/month. Of course, it’s entirely up to you if you want to go a little lower and save more, but it’s a good idea to have a maximum figure in mind. Also include other monthly expenses that may or may not be included in the rent, such as water, electricity, and internet, as well as personal expenses such as your phone bill and food prices.
Once you’ve determined how much you can spend, establish a list of your wants and needs, both inside and outside the flat. How many bedrooms and bathrooms will you require? Is in-unit laundry a must? What about establishing a communal exercise center? Everyone’s list of desires and requirements will be different, so if you intend to live with someone, you need to talk to them as well to ensure that all of your demands are addressed. You may not be interested in hardwood floors or a spacious kitchen, but your roommate or partner might be. Most internet listing sites, such as Apartments.com or Apartment List, will provide you with a list of possibilities to choose from and will only show you apartments that fulfill that criteria.
2. Where would you like to live?
Now that you know what you want consider where you want it to be. We favor downtown, urban living and appreciate the hustle and bustle of the city at Summit. Still, we understand that lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and some may prefer a low-key suburban atmosphere. Whichever choice appeals to you the most, it’s a good idea to enter the apartment address into Google Maps and zoom out to see what’s around. Next, consider your hobbies and interests and see what’s nearby. It’s crucial that you love your place, but you don’t want to be confined inside all day, every day!
Keep this in mind as you begin looking at residences. Schedule some time before or after your tour to drive around and get a sense of the neighborhood, or use your phone’s GPS to see what businesses are advertising nearby. Leasing agents are also a fantastic resource because they already work (and most likely reside) in the region. Don’t forget about anyone else who lives with you! If you have school-aged children, inquire about the local school system, and if you have pets, inquire about dog-friendly areas nearby.
3. What would your commute look like?
We work roughly 40 hours (if not more!) per week, and most of us don’t want to spend any more time than necessary getting to and from work. This question is especially crucial if you’re moving for work, so while you’re already entering the apartment address to check out the neighborhood, enter your employer’s address as well. Google Maps and Waze both allow you to modify the time of arrival and departure to get an idea of what your commute will be like during peak hours. What are your options for public transportation if you intend to use it? Some public commuters don’t mind taking the bus, whereas others, for example, prefer to take the train only.
