Apartment buildings can vary widely in the type of amenities and perks that they offer to their residents. When you’re evaluating apartment buildings, figure out which amenities you would like to have, and choose a building accordingly. For example, you may feel that an in-apartment washing machine is mandatory, but an on-site gym isn’t something you need. Ask the property manager if the building offers perks like:  Laundry machines in the rooms (or on-site laundry facilities) On-site weight room or gym Pool or sauna Event space Look at an apartment complex’s website to find their rental rates, or call and speak with the apartment manager if the rates aren’t online. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t pay more than a third of your after-tax salary on rent. So, if you make $2,000 USD a month after taxes are taken out, look for an apartment building that offers rental rates less than $670 USD a month. Keep in mind, though, that more expensive apartment buildings often offset the cost by offering extra amenities. If a building has more than 1 floor, ask the building manager which floors have open rooms that you could rent. Buildings on higher floors are often more expensive, but they also tend to be quieter, have better security, and to have fewer pests. On the other hand, ground-floor or garden-level rooms are more convenient to get to and may come with outdoor space. Decide what’s most important to you, and choose an apartment building that offers rooms on the floor you prefer. You can also use this criteria to remove buildings from the running. Say you like the idea of a no-hassle move in and move out from a bottom floor, but the building only has third-floor rooms open. Move on and look into other buildings with the ground-floor room you want. Take a 30-minute walk around the area and find out the distance to the nearest park, whether a grocery store is within walking distance, and how far you’ll have to travel for a good cup of coffee or a hamburger. Or, if you’d rather save some time, look around online to see what kinds of businesses, public facilities, and parks the neighborhood has. For example, it’d be much nicer to live in a building in a cultural part of town than in one that borders an industrial power plant. Think about all the places you go most often and look for a building that’s near as many of them as possible. If you’re moving with a pet, make sure that the apartment building you’re considering takes pets. Find out by talking to the property manager. Although most apartment buildings allow small cats and dogs under 20 pounds (9.1 kg), some may disallow all kinds of pets. On the other hand, if you’re severely allergic to cats or dogs, an animal-free building may be just what you’re looking for.  You could also try looking online to find this information. Most apartment complexes will post their pet policy on their website. It would also be wise to ask about a pet fee. Some buildings will charge a relatively small pet fee—say, $30 USD a month—while others may charge prohibitively high fees—say, $300 USD a month. While the view out of your apartment window may not make or break an apartment building, it’s still important. In most cases, apartments on higher floors that offer a view of a park, mountains, or other scenery will be more expensive than those that can only offer views of the back of a strip mall. However, the difference may be worth it if a terrible view discourages you from opening the blinds and letting in some sunshine! If you’re evaluating multiple apartment buildings within a single complex, try to choose the building with the best view!

Summary:
Look for a building that offers the amenities you’re looking for. Find an apartment building that’s within your monthly budget. Determine which floor of a building will best suit your needs. Find out what else is in the neighborhood with the apartment building. Ask the property manager about the building’s pet policy. See what the view is like from a few of the interior apartments.