I was down in Atlanta with my girlfriend during our spring break looking for apartments. We found one on our very last day there (literally hours before our flight to Boston was supposed to take off) that we both loved. What was so great about it? Well, here's what we found that we liked, and here is what should be considered when looking for that first place after graduation.
1. Location
What kind of area would you consider when looking for a place to live? Do you want to be right near downtown, where there are plenty of things to do? Do you want peace and quiet? Do you want to find a place close to your job so you won't necessarily need a car?
2. The Apartment
It is not much you can do about the apartment if you don't like the show unit that they have. Pro tip: look at a blank unit, and let your imagination run with it (within the parameters of the lease of course)
3. Cost
Living in an apartment can be quite expensive. There is the rent, the utilities, the Internet, groceries. Before going on the search, use that rule of three: If your yearly net income is not at least three times the rent cost, consider somewhere else.
4. Community
Apartment complexes do take resident suggestions into consideration, and a common suggestion is doing community activities. That is true with the one we found, which will make it easier to meet people when we move in.
5. Pet policy
If you have a pet, always double check to see what the policy regarding pets is. Most apartments tend to be okay with certain animals (even if there is a fee involved that, overall, is a drop in the bucket). Just make sure that your pooch is in compliance, as certain breeds are generally banned.
6. Amenities
What is better than finding an apartment within your budget, that has a great sense of community, and will let you have your pets with you? Finding one that has free parking, a washer and dryer hookup in the room, a 24-hour fitness center, a cyber cafe, and other modern features.
7. Staff
Friendly staffing can make a place feel like home. What is even more impressive is when they take the criticisms of the residents, both good and bad, in equal stride, and not only rectify the situation, but respond. Something about them doing that just shows that they care.
When you are looking for a place to call home, all of these thoughts can swirl and twirl like a figure skater in the Winter Olympics. But keeping these criteria in mind (in whichever order you prefer) slows the process down to a crawl.