What to Look for When Searching for Your First Place to Live Alone

Choosing your first place to live alone is an important and exciting process. You might even be nervous about the process and be concerned about your safety. If you are in a place where you’re ready to live in a home or apartment by yourself, here are some tips regarding what to look for when looking at potential homes.

Heating and Air Conditioning

It is important to be comfortable in your home, so these systems should be a high priority on your checklist. Even if it seems like they will always be included, it is better to double-check, especially if you are looking at older apartments.

Air conditioning and heating systems are not always reliable. No one wants to be freezing in the winter or sweltering in the summer, so try your best to find out ahead of time if you will be able to depend on these systems when you will need them. 

A home or apartment might be fine with just a window unit for air conditioning, however, if you are searching for a place to live in a warm climate, that could be a deal breaker. Know what your expectations are beforehand to avoid settling for a home you’ll regret later. 

Two Bedrooms

Living on your own will be an adjustment at first, so it will be nice to have space for the family to visit. Search for two bedroom apartments in order to have a comfortable space for your family members to sleep over.

When you live on your own, you will have more freedom. An apartment with an extra bedroom will be much more comfortable for your friends than sleeping on a couch.

You might even want to use the spare room for hobbies or storage. For example, if you enjoy playing music, having space to practice and store instruments will make things more comfortable. 

A Realistic Commute

Location is important. If your home is too far from your workplace, you will have to wake up earlier and you will have less free time, so consider how much time you want to spend commuting to work.

Your workplace is not the only important destination in your life. Consider the distance between your potential future home and your friends and family to make sure you will still be able to see your loved ones as you please.

If you work in a large city, you should easily be able to find an apartment nearby. You might even want to walk to work and to nearby grocery stores for convenience and a full city living experience. 

Any Form of Outdoor Space

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, look for these features when looking for your future home so you will be able to spend time outside. Many apartments have balconies that will get you some outdoor space without having to spend too much. 

If you are searching for a rental home, look for one with a fenced yard. This will be especially convenient if you decide to get a dog later on. 

Now you know what to look for when searching for your own place. Follow these tips to start the search for a great future home.

Kara Masterson

Kara is a freelance writer from West Jordan who graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.

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