Finding the perfect Atlanta GA apartment can be a daunting and frustrating task. But if you know what you want and where to look, it’s not too hard to find your dream home. To help guide you through this process, here are some tips for finding your perfect Atlanta apartment:
Figure out your budget.
Before you start looking at apartments, it’s important to know how much you can afford.
Your housing budget is one of the biggest expenses for most people. The good news is that Atlanta has some affordable options—especially when compared to many other popular cities like New York and San Francisco. But first, let’s talk about what makes up a rental apartment’s price tag:
- Pricing: 30% higher than the national average
- Rent: $1,500 for a 1-bedroom; $1,900 for a 2-bedroom; $2,300 for a 3-bedroom apartment.
Know what amenities you need to have and which ones you can forego.
Before you start looking at apartments, you should make a list of the amenities that are important to you. This can include things like whether or not your new apartment will be within walking distance to the nearest grocery store or if it has a swimming pool.
When I moved from New York City to Atlanta, Georgia, I didn’t think about what amenity was most important for me until after I’d already moved into my new apartment. Then when I realized that this apartment didn’t have any good restaurants nearby and there was no grocery store within walking distance, it made me wish I had thought about this beforehand!
However, once you know what amenities are important to you and have prioritized them accordingly (taking note of those which cannot be foregone under any circumstances), then the search for your perfect Atlanta GA apartment becomes much simpler!
Consider the location carefully.
The location of your new home is important, and it should be one of the first things you consider when looking for an apartment.
Where will you walk to for lunch? How about a quick cup of coffee on the way to work? Will you be able to walk or bike to nearby parks and green spaces where you can relax and enjoy nature?
Consider what kind of neighborhood would fit your lifestyle. If possible, look at several apartments in person before deciding on one. Get a sense of how close they are to things that are important to you: work, restaurants, stores, shops, etc. Other things that affect location include commute time (if you work outside the city), parking availability, and traffic patterns (heavy congestion can make life miserable).
Once again we need to reiterate that location can affect the price too often times people get caught up in finding an apartment near these fun activities only later realizing they don’t want to pay so much more than they could have somewhere else. There is no “perfect” place just find something close enough so that it doesn’t feel like a long commute but far enough away so that it feels like home
Set up appointments to tour the apartments on your shortlist.
Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to set up appointments to tour the apartments on your shortlist. Make sure you are available for these tours during the days and times that the leasing office gives you.
If possible, bring a friend or family member with you for moral support and encouragement. They can help keep track of the relevant details about each apartment—the price range, whether there’s parking included in rent or if it costs extra, what utilities cost per month, and so on—while also giving feedback based on their own experiences in similar situations.
As always when looking at potential homes, be prepared with clothing appropriate for touring such as jeans or khakis along with closed-toed shoes (no flip-flops!). Bring a small notebook and pen so that you can take notes about anything important during your tour; this can help later when comparing different apartments’ amenities against one another or deciding which place has everything needed at an affordable price point.
What kind of neighborhood do you want?
Location is the first thing to consider when choosing your ideal apartment. Atlanta has a lot to offer in terms of neighborhoods and activities, but it’s important to ensure that you have access to everything you need within walking distance or by public transport.
Some of the best Atlanta neighborhoods include:
- Virginia Highlands: A beautiful area with lots of shopping and restaurants, as well as easy access to downtown Atlanta via MARTA train
- Decatur: A hipster neighborhood is known for its art galleries, parks, and farmers’ market
- Buckhead: A wealthy area with high-end shopping malls like Lenox Mall, Phipps Plaza, and more
How far are you willing to commute?
You’ll have to consider how far you’re willing to commute. If you’re not too picky and just want a place that’s affordable, then you can consider living further out. But if your dream apartment is in Buckhead and your only job offer is in Alpharetta, then you may have to settle for something closer.
If the distance doesn’t bother you too much, then think about how long it would take for each commute using Google Maps’ estimated travel times on a good day (and don’t forget about traffic!). You might be surprised at how far away some of these places are from each other!
What kind of rental price can you realistically afford?
As you begin your search for the perfect Atlanta GA apartment, it’s important to consider how much you can afford. You should also know how much the average rent is for 2-bedroom apartments in Atlanta GA and what utilities might cost on top of that. Your budget will likely change over time, so if you’re thinking about signing a long-term lease, make sure that your future plans are likely to align with your current financial situation.
It may seem obvious, but sometimes people forget: if you want to live in an apartment where everything is included (including utilities), then expect higher prices than those advertised by landlords who charge separately for electricity or water usage. If the free cable isn’t important to you and cell phone service isn’t essential either (because most of us have good data plans from our cell phones), then look at studios as well as 1 bedroom; these tend not only to be cheaper than 2 bedrooms but also have less stuff accumulated over time—which means less cleaning when moving out!
Finding your perfect Atlanta GA apartment is easy.
If you take note of what is important, finding your perfect Atlanta GA apartment will be easy. Be realistic about your budget and know what amenities you need and which ones you can forego. Consider the location carefully as well; make sure it’s close to everything that matters to you (i.e., a grocery store, restaurants, entertainment).
Set up appointments to tour the apartments on your shortlist so that when it comes time to sign the lease, they’ll be ready and waiting for them! You can also ask about any pet fees or deposits if applicable so there are no surprises later on down the road. And finally: What kind of neighborhood do you want? How far are you willing to commute?
Conclusion
Apartment hunting is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you take note of what is important, finding your perfect Atlanta GA apartment will be easy.
