Searching for an apartment while in another state can be a challenge. I visited the family I will be working with on a recent flyout and have a general idea of the area. My biggest thought is to live near the family so that my commute is as minimal as possible. I determined 15-20 minutes was my limit (this is bearable if there is traffic making my commute around 30minutes max.)
As I am unfamiliar with the zip codes in the area I googled the zip code I want to be near. Then I did a search. I typed in “What are the zip codes around “zip code number””
I came up with a map like the one below.
http://www.city-data.com/zipmaps/Colorado-Springs-Colorado.html
This was helpful in several ways. I now knew what zip codes were surrounding the area I wanted to live and I could enter that zipcode into my google search. I hit the get directions tab in google maps, entered the new zip code and the zip code I want to be near as the starting point. This gives me an approximate travel time from the zip code I want to be to where I will be traveling for work.
Now I could search online to find what apartments were in these zip code areas.This broadened my search area by 6 zip codes!
Next I made a spreadsheet of everything that would be important to me in an apartment complex. I figured looking at many places would get confusing. The top things for me were having a pool, (can one say, hello sunshine?!), windows (why would I be moving to a state with sunshine only to block it out by minimal windows?!). I also have a section with BBB the better business bureau.
As I have never actually rented my own place, (bet your thinking, how’d she manage that? Believe me that is a story for another post) I feel like I must be a bit more cautious what I am getting myself into. I have a friend who said checking a place out with the BBB gives a good idea of their practices. Some apartments are run by big companies and it is easy for them to up your rent at the end of your lease term with them. Hmmm, much to think about when getting into a place.
Why do I get a feeling I am re-inventing the wheel with this search? Oh well, hopefully this can help you if this is new to you.
Here I am about 18 days from leaving Salem Oregon and I have yet to have all my things packed. There is much to do in the next two weeks! I can leave this apartment search until I actually get to Colorado. Oh, did I share that story? I think not.
I found a short term place by calling a local church I liked and they referred me to another church. This church had a notebook of rooms for rent in the area (which presumably are people that attend that church). I actually visited two of these homes during my fly out to Colorado last week. Yes, things are moving along quickly and by the time I am in Colorado it will be 4 weeks to the day since I accepted this position (hmmm, wonder if this has anything to do with feeling overwhelmed right now?!). I found a family who has 4 bedrooms for rent at a minimal price and decided the month to month contract would work well for me while looking for my place.
For now I put this subject to rest. What have you found useful in your apartment searching? Anything you couldn’t do without when looking at a place? Any advice you would give while searching?
As I always I appreciate you stopping by. I would appreciate a comment below so I know you stopped by. Wish I could sit and have a cup of coffee with you and share all the details (that will come later when I settle into my own place). Until Colorado!
Sarah
