So you’re moving to a new city for a career change, or leaving that dorm room in the dust. You’ve decided you want to live an apartment. We’re going to offer you step by step advice from getting you from your current state: wanting an apartment, but not having one, to having the place that fits you just right in terms of budget, location, and amenities.

Location is not first

Most people think of the phrase Location, Location, Location when they first start looking for apartments. The location of your apartment is indeed important, very important in fact, however, it is not the first thing you should think of when you start your search.

Why? What could be more important than the location?

Length of Lease

This is actually the most important part at the beginning of your apartment search: the length of lease you are targeting and comfortable with.

You may find that perfect flat downtown with an amazing view and close parking. But if the lease is not a fit for you — perhaps they want to lock you in on an 18 month lease with huge security deposits — then you’ve wasted your time.

Sit down and think about the lease you want. Are you in town for a summer internship only? 3 months should be what you are targeting. Are you settling in the area and looking long term? Then maybe that 18 month lease with huge deposits is not so bad.

Don’t waste your time driving around town if you don’t know what lease you want for your apartment. Pick your apartments that you look at based on the leases they offer. If they fit into your range, then you can move forward.