Two Big Tips For Finding That Apartment

By Lev Novak

So, now is about the time to begin looking for an apartment.

If you’re looking for a summer apartment to start in June, the end of March is right on time to begin your search. If you’re looking for a September apartment, hey, March is good too. Early never hurt anyone, and late often has.

So let’s get talking.

1. Discern “Needs” and “Wants”

Here is what I want in an apartment: I want a moderately priced, big, sunny apartment with a party-hosting basement, roof access and a yard. I want to live with friends, near friends, and want two bathrooms for three people. I want to be right by public transportation, coffee shops, bars, but also in a part of the city where it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Also, there should be parking for my friends to visit easier.

Here is what I need in an apartment: an apartment that has no serious problems, living with people I like enough, for a price that isn’t crazy.

Let me tell you right now: the perfect apartment doesn’t exist. It just doesn’t. Okay, fine, it does, but not for what you’re willing to pay.

Here’s the good news: there are a bunch of good apartments around. There are some great apartments, too. Heck, there are even a few fantastic apartments hidden around, and uCribs can help you find them.

Two things will help you get what you want: time and flexibility. Time starts now, and flexibility changes. Above, I listed about ten things I want in an apartment. Currently, I have only the last sentence. I live by public transportation, by coffee shops and bars, and in a part of the city that doesn’t feel overwhelming. I do not live with friends, near friends, or for a good price.

I’m very happy with my apartment. I got all of what I need and some of what I want. Using our site and with time, you can get even more of what you want. But it won’t be all of it.

2. Don’t Get Rigid

Let’s say you want an apartment in Brooklyn.

You’ve narrowed it down. It’s going to be perfect. You have the area, the train stop, the price point, and the room-mate picked out. All that’s left is to get it all settled.

Sure, that might work. But if you come into the apartment hunting game, it’s best to check your expectations at the door.

For example, did you know that many hip parts of Brooklyn are more expensive than the Upper East Side? Ten or fifteen years ago, that would’ve been unthinkable, but in the fast-paced real-estate world, hype moves fast. A hip, small apartment in Williamsburg might run you $1250 a person, but an Upper East Side loft, typically reserved for trust fund kids would take a hit in hype and in the economy. While Williamsburg has taken the hype as a young person haven and the Upper East Side has seemed lame and out of touch, you can find a better physical apartment for closer to $1100.

Now, neither of those places are cheap, but that little example shows that rigid thinking can lead you in traps. Brooklyn was cheap in 2002. But it’s not 2002. Places that seemed expensive, that sounded unsafe or lame or cool or whatever might have changed dramatically. Reputation takes a few years to come out of the woodwork, and four or five years can transform an area.

Look around and don’t get bogged down in perfection. You might find your Brooklyn in Brooklyn, or you might find it in Manhattan, Queens, or even Boston.

Think twice and think creative.

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