Hi Loves,

Finding a place to live is a hard and timely process. The reason it is so timely is because you have to find the perfect place for yourself. Think about it – the home you choose will be the place you are living in for a decent amount of time, so it has to be a place that you love. If you come up with a checklist of “must-haves” that you are looking for, it can be an easier (and faster) process! Today, I want to share with you my list of top things to look for in your next apartment!

• A space to study and work

If you are a college student, grad student, or work online or from home, it is essential for you to have a place to study and/or work! A lot of apartments in college towns are extremely small, so it can be a challenge to find, but they are definitely out there if you keep searching! If you fall in love with a place that doesn’t have a specific room to work and study out of, you can always get creative! If your room in that apartment is big enough, create a little nook for yourself. You can do the same thing with the living room; you just have to make sure that the living room will not be too loud for studying. There are easy ways to improve your study area and it is a lot easier to do it at your home vs. when you are out in public.

• Location

The location is probably one of the most important aspect of finding a place to live. Before I commit to an apartment, I always make sure it is in a good location for me. I always map out my daily and weekly commute routes to make sure it won’t be awful. Being close to your school, work or family and friends is important, but safety is also another big part in choosing the location. Crime naturally comes along with a lot of college towns and big cities, but don’t let this scare you away – most of the time, you are totally fine. I just always double check and make sure I feel comfortable in the area. The worst feeling in the world is when you are scared in bed, not able to sleep.

• Noise

I know some people love a party town and if that is what you want, great, but I definitely need a quiet place to sleep. After you find the location you want to live in, think about how the noise levels will be. One great tip I have for you is to look into apartment buildings and then drive around the property (if that is allowed) at night to get a feel for the noise in the area. Of course, it can still be a party town and quiet, so don’t immediately take it off your list just because there are a lot people walking around late at night!

 

• Upgraded Countertops

If there is one part of my apartment that needs to be “upgraded,” it is the kitchen. Even if you do not have a lot of time to cook, the perks of having a nice kitchen, including upgraded countertops are never-ending. For example, quartz countertops are so nice to have because they are non-porous and require no sealing, so this means easy maintenance for you! Along with that, they are also easy to clean – you just use mild soap and water, they are chip and scratch resistant and also heat, bacteria and stain resistant (perfect if you are a red wine lover/spiller!). I personally love Hanwha Surfaces for all of my quartz countertop and solid surfaces needs because they have 60 patterns to choose from, have an amazing residential lifetime warranty and are also committed to paying attention to the details in order to deliver the perfect countertops to you! Hanwha Surfaces has multiple warehouse locations including one in Chicopee Massachusetts!

Photo Credit: Hanwha Surfaces

 

• Appliances

This halfway goes along with the above paragraph – most upgraded kitchens will include upgraded appliances, but it goes above and beyond just that. Some apartments include washers and dryers, as well which is such a nice perk for college students, or people straight out of college! When looking for your apartment, try searching for places that include the basic appliances in your kitchen like a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. and also a washer and a dryer.

 

• A place to wind down

A place to wind down and relax is definitely one of my top “must-haves” when searching for a new apartment! I love being able to soak in a nice bathtub and remove all (or at least most) of the stresses that most people our age have. When you think of places to wind down, think about a nice bathtub, a larger room to have a spot to do some stretching, yoga or meditation, or a reading nook to bring a cup of tea and a book to in the evenings! There are many ways to make your home more peaceful and relaxing, even without a bathtub or reading nook, so be creative and you will have your perfect place to wind down!

Finding a new apartment can be challenging, frustrating and time consuming, but once you find the perfect place for you, it is all worth it! Take your time to create a list of your must-haves just like this one to make sure that you get everything you want and need out of an apartment! Do you like to cook? Make sure you get an upgraded kitchen with nice countertops from Hanwha Surfaces. Do you like to relax? Make sure you find an apartment with a nice bathtub for soaking!

What is your top must-have when searching for a new place to live? Thanks for reading!

Love,

Me/E