There’s little wonder as to why young adults flock to big cities and major metropolitan areas in droves. These locales feature an abundance of culture and unique experiences that you won’t find in small towns or suburbs. However, since living space tends to be limited in large cities, even wealthy city dwellers tend to opt for apartments over houses.
Fortunately, the right apartment can be every bit as comfortable and accommodating as a larger residence — provided, of course, you know what to look for. When shopping around for the perfect big city apartment, keep an eye out for the following qualities.
Located in an Interesting Area
Unsurprisingly, apartments located in popular neighborhoods tend to command higher rents than those found in less interesting areas. More often than not, these neighborhoods are well worth the additional cost. After all, to get the full big-city experience, you’ll need to reside in a part of the city that’s brimming with culture, local cuisine, and unique businesses. Feeling completely immersed in the best of what your city has to offer the instant you step outside of your building is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Renters in the market for two-bedroom apartments in Omaha, NE are sure to appreciate the array of fascinating options at their disposal.
Spacious Enough to Comfortably Accommodate You
It’s no big secret that apartments generally offer less space than houses. Since it’s in every landlord’s best interest to have as many units as possible, free space is often a compromise people make when throwing themselves into city life.
However, this isn’t to say that you should resign yourself to living in a place you find cramped, uncomfortable or restricting. The apartment you chose should contain enough space for you, a decent amount of furniture and a smattering of possessions. Your apartment should be spacious enough that you don’t have to constantly second-guess yourself whenever you want to purchase a new piece of furniture or personal item. While it’s true that living in a big city often requires one to make compromises, consistently ignoring your personal comfort is unlikely to lead to a happy life.
Proximity to Public Transport
When searching for the right apartment, it pays to take proximity to public transport into account. This is particularly important in New York City, where the vast majority of residents use subways, trains, and buses to get from place to place. Not only is public transport in large cities efficient and cost-effective, but it’s also often much faster than riding in taxis or attempting to drive yourself. With this in mind, keep an eye out for apartments that are located in the immediate vicinity of subway entrances, train stations or bus stops.
Reasonable Rent
If there’s one thing city dwellers love complaining about, it’s a high cost of living. Living in a major metropolis is considerably pricier than maintaining a comfortable life in a smaller area. This is particularly true when it comes to renting costs. For example, a mid-sized apartment in NYC or San Francisco can easily cost thrice what it would in the suburbs.
No matter how excited you are by the prospect of city life or how financially well-off you happen to be, don’t allow yourself to be taken in by a property owner who flagrantly overcharges for their apartments. If you suspect a landlord is trying to take advantage of you, don’t be afraid to draw a line in the sand and outline exactly how much you’re willing to pay. If a property owner sees that you’re unwilling to budge, he or she may acquiesce to your demands — provided what you’re asking for is within reason.
It’s easy to see why young people are endlessly fascinated by big cities. With so much to see and do, large-scale metropolises are a much different animal than suburbs and small towns. Regardless of one’s financial situation, apartments are generally the default residences for big city dwellers. Of course, this isn’t to say that people who are new to city life should be content with just any apartment. To ensure that you’re completely satisfied with your first big city residence, limit your choices to options that meet the previously discussed criteria.
