Finding a great apartment for singles and couples is not always easy, but finding one that will offer a comfortable living experience for a family with children can be even more difficult. Luckily, there are some tried and true rules for navigating the rental apartment market that can help families succeed in their home search.
Start with the location
Considering the location of your future apartment as the foundation of your search process will help to ensure you make a great choice. Families with children will need to consider multiple factors in order to choose the right area or neighborhood. These include:
- the school district
- proximity to the parent's work
- available of daycare services, if needed
- proximity to shopping and basic services
- proximity to educational and recreational activities, like libraries, museums, parks, and playgrounds
Once you find a location that seems to fit most of the above criteria, parents may want to consider spending an afternoon in the area as part of their selection process. Having lunch at a local cafe or walking through the residential apartment neighborhoods will help parents get a feel for the demographics and help them take note of whether there are happy families making their home in the area.
Consider any limiting factors
Limiting factors are those that will have a direct bearing on your selection process. For example, parents who do not own a vehicle will need to give extra priority to finding an apartment close to public transportation or one where it will be possible to get to work and school easily by walking or biking.
Other factors that could help apartment hunters narrow down their search include learning about incidences of crime in the area. Real estate agents cannot legally dispense this information but it can be easily found online by using search terms such as "crime rates for" plus the street, neighborhood, or area of the apartment you are considering.
The safety of the apartment complex should also be a prime consideration. When looking at a particular unit, remember to ask yourself the following questions:
- Are there good restricted entry procedures in place, such as key cards or a doorman?
- Are common areas like entries, hallways, and laundry areas well-lit and well-maintained?
- Does each unit have securely locking exterior doors and windows and working fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarms?
To learn more about finding apartments for families, take time to discuss your detailed housing needs with your rental real estate agent or property management specialist.
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