Finding your first apartment can be a tricky task; after all, this is your new home for the foreseeable future, and you want to be sure to have all of your bases covered. So aside from the obvious basics such as floor plan, affordability and safety, what amenities should a new apartment resident look for?

Location, location, location! Having an apartment in close proximity to your workplace will save on gas and other expenses, and be sure to keep an eye peeled for public transportation such as bus stops located near your new abode. Also, you’ll likely want to avoid apartment communities situated near noisy public places like shopping malls or concert halls.

Parking can be a real hassle when there are too few spaces, so be sure and ask prior to signing the lease whether or not you will be assigned a parking spot. Many communities will offer a reserved (and sometimes covered) spot for a low monthly fee.

If you have four-legged friends, you will definitely want to research your new apartment’s pet policies prior to moving in. Even some pet friendly communities still have breed restrictions, so read the fine print carefully. Reptiles and other exotic pets are often banned outright as well.

A swimming pool has become a common amenity at many apartments, but be sure and scope out the pool-size-to-number-of-residents ratio ahead of time. A small, ornate oval pool may look appealing to the eye, but when fifty other families are cannon-balling your peaceful swim into oblivion it will be too late for second thoughts.

A number of apartment communities also now offer such onsite features as a gym or game room. Again, be sure and get all of the details ahead of time. Does the game room require you to reserve it in advance? Is the gym open 24 hours, and does it offer adequate security in the evenings? It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Remember, apartment living is becoming more popular with each passing day, so if your dream community is lacking some of these amenities it might be a wise strategy to mention it to management prior to signing your lease. Who knows? If they feel they might lose you to that newer model down the street (you know, the one with the gym) you might just be able to get your rent lowered!

Apartment Community Amenities to Look For is a post from: Home Design Ideas