How do you know what apartment is perfect for you? Choosing the right apartment means something different for every renter. While it might be a little easier than choosing a house to buy, location, amenities, availability, and cost all come into consideration when choosing your next apartment to rent.

Location

“Location, location, location.” But what location is best depends from person to person. Is it close to your job? If you are a parent, is the community in the right school district? Some downtown apartments offer convenient access to restaurants and stores but will come with a higher price tag; while an apartment community outside of town might be quieter and offer more affordability. Whether the apartment is close to your job, friends, and family, are all things to consider while choosing the location.

Amenities

When searching for an apartment many times future residents can be roped in by amazing community amenities, but are they worth the price? Consider how often you will use those amenities and which ones are worth paying more money per month. Having a fitness center included with the community could save you money on gym fees and help motivate you to work out more! But if you don’t have any dogs, is a community dog park going to be worthwhile for you? While extra amenities may seem like a great deal, don’t get roped into paying for something you won’t use!

Availability

You found the perfect community, but the apartment you want isn’t available! Many renters are familiar with the fact that the most popular floorplans might be on a waiting list. Apartment communities offer a variety of floorplans to choose from and depending on how quickly you need to move in, you might need to be flexible with the type of layout you choose.

Size and Features

What is arguably most important in an apartment, is: is it the right size for you? Singles and students may find a one-bedroom apartment just perfect for their needs and budget. While couples moving in together might prefer an extra bedroom for guests, or future kids! If you have young kids, you might prefer an apartment close to the community playground!

Size and features are some of the hardest things to balance with availability, but one helpful tip is to make a list of the features you need, versus the ones you want. Then you can make sure your apartment checks off everything you need and see which ones check off more things you want!

Choosing the right apartment is different for everyone, but taking the time to consider all the options can help you make the best decision! At Brookdale, we’d love to be your perfect apartments in Charlottesville! We invite you to come out and take a tour and see if we are the right apartment for you!