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The Apartment
Search
When you
are apartment hunting in Columbia, prepare a rental search plan.
Be sure to know in advance what you want in an apartment and what
you can live without. Decide in advance what areas of Columbia you
could consider living in and make a list of apartment buildings
within that perimeter.
Be sure
to consider how far and how convenient it will be for you to travel
to your job or your school or your family and friends. Also, how
far is the apartment from stores, banks, hospitals, Church (if
you attend), etc. If you have a car, make sure that there is adequate
and convenient parking space 24/7. If you don't drive make sure
that there is close by public transportation.
Narrow
your apartment locating to the size of rental unit you need. Studio
apartment or one bedroom apartment or 2 BR apartment or more.
Are you considering a furnished apartment or do you possible need
a short term rental. If you are renting an apartment with a cat,
dog, or other pet, you need to find out which apartments allow
renting with pets and which do not. And, if they do allow pets,
is there an additional security deposit required and if so, how
much it is. Do you need an apartment complex with an exercise
room or tennis courts or a pool or a recreation room, etc. or
do you simply need and desire a nice clean and quiet pad?
Be realistic
about what you can afford. Most apartment renting guides suggest
that your rent should not be more than 25% to 30% of your income.
This can vary depending on the income bracket, but be sure to
be "real world" when budgeting additional apartment expenses such
as heating and air conditioning and other utilities. If you fall
short of affording the apartment of your choice, you might consider
sharing a Columbia apartment with a roommate or roommates. Keep in
mind that living with roommates can help you afford an upscale
apartment or even, in some cases, luxury apartments, but it also
has extreme restrictions to your privacy.
If you
are familiar with Columbia and its neighborhoods that gives you a
distinct advantage for your apartment search. If, however, you
are relocating to Columbia or are not particularly knowledgeable
about the city, you may want to contact a Columbia Apartment Locator
or an Apartment Finder service.
Once you narrow your
search for apartments down to apts which suit your needs and desires
you must be well organized and well prepared for your visits to
the apartment complexes. When inspecting the rental premises be
on the alert for unsafe conditions, excessive noise from traffic
or playgrounds or neighbors. Visit the apartment building at night
as well as the daytime hours. This will give you a more comprehensive
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