Shopping for your first apartment can be a scary situation, especially if you are doing it alone. There are many things to keep in mind when hunting around and being shown places. Many questions should be asked and price is not all you need to think about. Here is a list of things every co-ed should remember when hunting for an apartment:

Photo from: Renegade Chicks

• What is included in the cost?

o Does it come with appliances and furniture?
o Are utilities, such as electricity, heat, water, included?
o Are Wi-Fi and cable provided?
o Is there garbage pick-up?
o Are there washing/drying machines available on the premises?

Photo from: olx.com

• Is the apartment safe?

o Is it equipped with fire safety materials, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers?
o Does the front door close and lock?
o Do all the windows close and lock?

Photo fro: Banham

• What happens if something breaks?

o Will the landlord fix it or do you have to pay?

•  How are your neighbors?

o Are they loud and obnoxious or are they scarce and quiet?
o Are they creepy?
o Have their been complaints against the neighbors?

• How is the area?

o Is there a neighborhood watch?
o Is it close to public transportation?
o Is it within a reasonable distance of work or school?

Photo from: City Of Bartlett website

Many of these questions should be asked to the landlord or the agent showing you the space. If they negatively respond to more than two or three of these questions, than it is not the right apartment for you. Feeling comfortable and being happy is a necessity in your apartment. If this cannot happen in the places you are looking at then they are not worth any amount of money. Remember to be confident and stand your ground when deciding where to live. The choice is yours.
For tips on how to deal with apartment issues, check out Jessica’s article, How to: Call Your Landlord With Problems