Apartment Living: Finding the Right Place to Call Home

If you're a new family looking at apartments, there may be more to consider than you think. Apart from the obvious (knowing what school district you're in), you may also need to think about the nearby amenities and services. Here are a few things to consider.

Apartment Playgrounds

Apartment playgrounds are limited to the occupants of the apartment complex. These playgrounds are usually gated or otherwise secured, and they're a safe place for your children to play. Even better, you can make friends with other parents in the area, and set up play dates within your community. 

In addition to playgrounds, there may also be a pool: but keep in mind the fact that pools can be unsafe! Always make sure that your kids have adult supervision, even at an apartment pool, as there is likely not a lifeguard on duty.

Other Families

Many people encounter discrimination when looking for apartments. Landlords don't want to rent out to people with small children because small children often cause damage. But landlords can't say "no children," they just lose the applications of people with children. One way to avoid this is to look for apartment complexes that visibly have families already living there.

Green Utility Services

Anything that can save you money on your utilities is usually better for a larger family, especially when it comes to low flow toilets, low-pressure shower heads, and sustainable energy sources. You may even want to find an apartment that includes utilities in the rent, as at least you'll have a static amount to budget for every month. 

Security

As a parent, you know that it's easy for a child to somehow end up outside and wandering around: they're autonomous and mobile. Better security is a must for people who have children, including regularly spaced security cameras and locking doors. Ideally, you should find an apartment complex that your child wouldn't easily be able to get out of: one with difficult to open doors. 

Safety Balconies

Balconies are one of the most dangerous elements in an apartment for kids. Even older kids can get injured, if they're particularly daring. Make sure that the balconies of your apartment are possible to secure so that your children can't get out onto them.

Depending on the age of your children, these amenities may be more or less important. Let your real estate agent know about the priorities that are most important for you, so you can find a good apartment for sale.