A Temporary Sanctuary, Part 2: Find your space

Is it time to start apartment hunting?

Hunting for possibilities:

• Know your essentials. What are your nonnegotiables? Does the building need to be secure? Do you have to be within X miles of a certain location? Does the building need to be pet friendly? Start hashing out these and Stick. To. Them. 
• Prepare to be flexible with everything else. Certain apartments might not have everything you want, but if it has the essentials you're looking for, it's worthwhile to go to a showing.
• Know your budget. Apartment rent is only a fraction of what you pay to rent. Ask for estimates on utilities, parking, internet, etc. and add these to rent when comparing locations to ensure the total cost will work in your budget.
• Ask around. Your friends, especially older ones, are excellent resources for learning about hidden gems not easily found online and bad experiences. Some of my friends even lease the same apartment after a friend leaves, feeling more comfortable that they knew the previous tenant.
• Creep on the landlord. I've heard horror stories about poor management: repairs delayed for months, overcharging, poor service, you name it. Read reviews about each one to make sure they're legit. Living with a bad landlord is risky. It may be that you have no problems, but understand you're taking your chances,
• Know the neighborhood. Choose an area you feel safe in--no rent is low enough to get me to live in a place I don't feel comfortable. Some people prefer quieter areas while others need to be in the center of activity. Think about your relative location to things you enjoy: classes, bars, downtown, friends, the highway, etc. Walk around a few different times to get a feel, and ask around. 
• Transportation is key. Do you have a car? If so, where will you park? Will  you be walking a lot? Is there a bus stop nearby?

Apartment showings:

• Give "maybes" a chance. Maybe it was photographed or described poorly. Maybe it didn't mention its great view or renter discount in the next-door coffee shop.
• How does it "feel?" I wish there was a better explanation, but usually places will scream a big "yes" or a big "no" when you walk in. Stick to your guns.
• Take your time. It may feel awkward to be in someone else's home (the currant tenant might be home, making it even more awkward), but take a thorough look at things like appliances, air conditioning/heat, the view, the furniture, and the bathroom. These are things that complexes are not willing to replace unless they are actually broken. I know the shower is messy, but is it just messy or is it old and gross no matter who lives here?
• See yourself living there. "Oh, I could put my rhino bust here." That was part of my actual decision process.
• Ask questions. A lot of them.
• Take pictures, if that's allowed. 
• Don't get your hopes up. The hardest thing is when that "perfect" apartment from the internet is gross and nasty in person.

Decision Time:

Go with your gut when you've got all the options on the table. At the end of the day, you will not just eat and sleep there (or maybe you will,  but then you're probably not going into the trouble of reading this), you're entertaining and laughing and crying and growing in this space. Make it count!