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Most Americans want to own a home, but living in an apartment can not only be more affordable, but actually have some advantages. No shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or doing maintenance by yourself or out-of-pocket. But a good deal of caution is also advisable, because sharing walls with strangers is different from sharing fences with neighbors. Personal tastes, location, and budget are all worth considering before calling a space in a building with four white walls and a kitchen home.

Many apartments are "typical", but even basic apartments can offer some different features and amenities. Some are noisier than others, better maintained, more convenient, and so on. Even in the same complex! You will be living in the place you choose for the next several months or indefinitely. Many items are worth considering.

1) You are the buyer, and the landlord is the seller. Any rudeness or lack of caring by the leasing agent is a bad sign. Usually consumers have plenty of apartments to choose from, even in smaller cities.

2) Location is key. Saving $20 a month on rent in exchange for driving an extra ten miles a day to and from work probably isn't worth it. You also want to have grocery stores, department stores, a mall, or other outlets close by. My current apartment is in a great location and that's one of the reasons I enjoy living there so much.

3) Which floor do you prefer? I was absolutely miserable on the bottom floor of my first apartment. My sister and brother-in-law lived on a second floor apartment and the bathroom above had plumbing problems. It made their apartment uninhabitable - and the landlord wasn't exactly in a hurry to fix it.

4) Are pets allowed in the apartments? Was a pet living in the apartment while the previous owner was living there? Do you have allergies? Does running a cleaner over the carpets once mean the pet isn't there anymore? Probably not.

5) Is the apartment quiet? Are the neighbors quiet? How close is it to the street? Will the noise from cars bother you? Do ambulances or firetrucks go by regularly? Is it by an interstate?

6) Decide whether you want to pay more for amenities. Will you use the exercise room and pool often? Does the complex offer something unique? Or basically nothing?

7) Depending on various factors, is parking a hassle? Is a garage available at the price you want? Can you have more than one vehicle in the parking lot?

8) You might be able to negotiate a favorable lease for yourself. Would you be more comfortable with a six or nine month lease rather than a year long lease? Will the landlord allow a shorter lease? Do any apartments you might like to leave in offer one month free or a low or no deposit special?

9) I tend to let the little items slide if I like living in an apartment. But, keep in mind you can't alter anything.

10) I've found that any apartment can feel like home once all of your stuff is moved in. If it's quiet, convenient, and has other features that you prefer, you should be able to feel as happy with your living situation as someone living in a house.

Also, nobody is stopping you from adding a number 11 or even more items to the list. Decide on your preferences and make sure you're happy with an apartment before you move into one.

Learn more about this author, Triple Water Astrology.
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