When we began our apartment search, my boyfriend stated that his only rule was no clawfoot tub. A strange request in my eyes, but compromise is key, right? So we searched for places without clawfoot tubs and without wall-to-wall carpet, by my request. These parameters gave us a starting point, because although we didn't know exactly what we wanted, we knew what we didn't want.
It wasn't until we laid eyes on our future apartment that we realized one of the most important things we were looking for in a home. The living room and bedroom were flooded with light, which was a complete change from my current, very nice but very cave-like, apartment. I have always been a firm believer in natural light benefiting your mental health, and having lived in our apartment for over a year now, I've come to the conclusion that good natural light is irreplaceable. It literally makes me smile more, and that's not something I'm willing to give up.
For some it's a washer and dryer, for others it's access to outdoor space. When you walk into a new space, what aspects make your heart sing? What could you absolutely not live without?
8 Secret Spots to Hide Valuables at Home
The Live/Work Studio of Robert Siegel Handmade Ceramics
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Howard Butcher Bloc...
10 Easy Vacation Meals to Feed a Crowd
Recipe: Chopped Brown Rice Salad with Grapes and Pecans
Access to interesting things in my neighbourhood
Easy access to transit
Close to a grocery store or market
Outdoor space
Laundry
Above ground with abundant natural light
I think I could live in any apartment as long as it had all those things
You nailed mine! Natural, light - Windows! Windows! Windows! Makes me so happy ....I was just thinking the other day that when I actually buy a house I would request to spend an entire day there before entering escrow just to see how the sun moved through the space.
Hand down - lots of natural light! I lived in a basement unit for a year and I will never do it again. Light is a must have for my apartment and my future home!!!
pet-friendly. i have a cat and he's non-negotiable.
neighbourhood is probably the most important thing after that. whether it's in a city or the countryside, i want to feel like i love the area i go home to.
everything else is negotiable. i'd prefer real stoves to hot plates, laundry in the building, and a ground-floor place so my cat could go outside (although he's been indoor-only at times and adjusted well enough), but if i was in a place like NYC where those things can be quite rare on a budget, then i'd be able to forego all of them.
From experience, my top 5 are: Dishwasher, space for grill (deck or yard), bike storage, bathroom fan, and insulated basement (if i live on the fist floor).
Yep - natural light is #1 by FAR.
Now that we live in an apartment that, for NYC at least, provides amenities above & beyond what you'd normally find in our price range, these are the things we'd refuse to live without if we ever move:
- washer & dryer in the unit
- decent kitchen: space for storage and food prep, space for a dining table for entertaining
- pet friendly
- multiple closets
You are so right! My list had things on it like no carpet, high walkability score...and that was about it.
I accidentally ended up in an apartment with great light and it is so wonderful. I put some plants on my fire escape and I feel like I live in a garden.
Another thing I realized after the fact is that if you don't have a dishwasher, a garbage disposal is the most amazing thing. Seriously, in future places without a dishwasher, lack of disposal will be a 100% deal breaker for me.
yes to natural light! also hard surface floors...no wall-to-wall carpet.
Fresh air. The first thing I did when I bought my current home was improve air circulation with venting skylights. Later on I added more windows and sliding doors. I feel suffocated in a room with dead air. On the other hand, I can't tolerate excessive sunlight pouring into a room, and I tend to filter or even block that with window coverings. Go figure.
Back when I was a renter, it was affordability and location, first. (This often limited my options radically.) After that: security, parking, working plumbing, generally positive ambiance, the sense that "I see myself living here".
Assuming all this is true, I'd want niceties: pet friendly, dishwasher, windows, balcony, etc...
@Rural and rueful: I'm the same way
When I was renting, I always looked for a place that was within my budget and was in a reasonably safe neighborhood. Everything else was negotiable. But, now, If I had to go looking to rent again, I would require a washer & dryer (or hookups), dishwasher, pet-friendly, safe area, at least 2 bathrooms, at least 2 bedrooms, decent square-footage, and quiet neighbors. I'd most likely look for a house rather than an apartment though.
Since I don't live in a large city, I like to have my grocery store of choice at least only a few minutes of driving time away. Also since I live in the midwest I like to at least have the option to walk to a corner store if we get snowed in.
No carpets and a gas (not electric) stove are musts. Closely following those two are outdoor space and ample closet space.
No carpets, windows in every room, real produce within walking distance and room for a dining table. Having to eat meals at a coffee table and not having guests over for a meal would be unbearable.
The ultimate must have is that the place be pet friendly. I'm not willing to give up my cats, who are part of my family, for any apartment, regardless of how nice it is.
There are, of course, other musts. It must be safe, it must be clean (or at least cleanable), it must have washer/dryer hookups, it must have a decently sized kitchen. At the end of the day, though, it's most important that I can bring my cats with me. Wouldn't be home without them.
bathtub. I get really depressed if I can't take a bath.
Natural light - lots of it. Anything else can be fixed.
I don't rent; I own half a duplex. It's a little over 900 square feet, and I'd like a larger place. Still, it's adequate and meets my needs and requirements of 2 Bed, 2 Bath, screened in porch, garage, dishwasher, and washer/dryer hookups. Quiet neighborhood and pet safe.
Guess I'll stay for awhile! ♥
Hardwood floors are a must for me. And conveniently, searching for hardwoods on apartment listing sites ends up ruling out all of the cookie cutter complexes.
Washer / dryer is a must-have as well. I hate lugging my laundry out into public.
Workable kitchen. I cook, and it has to function. It can be small; it can be weird. But I have to be able to do my thing. The only way we can afford to live in Manhattan is that we don't eat out in Manhattan!
Daylight is a feature that doesn't cost anything. We went from a garden level condo to a victorian house with 3'x7' pairs of windows and very high ceilings. We took a few walls down in the house and now you can see outside from every spot that you stand in the house. Daylight does some pretty cool things: it makes a room look bigger, it puts you in a better mood, and is more cost effective compared to electric light.
But we are now stuck with a clawfoot tub. They have romantic character but are very impractical.
When I was looking for a place to buy I would not look at a home where I windows faced neighbors so close that I could hear them or see them through my windows. I found a condo that sit's over a 2 car garage and NONE of my windows face another neighbor. My complex sits somewhat on a hill or inclince really so we look down into the houses that are lower and across the street so we see more rooftops than windows. For this reason, I do not have full curtains; just valances with sheers. My livingroom is BATHED in light and I love it. I also have so many trees on our complex that if almost feels like we live in a park. Also, the neighborhood is really quite..much different than what I'm use to when I was renting.
Location location location...walking distance to interesting and useful things like somebody above mentioned. That and lots of windows and light. You can rip out carpet and replace ugly floors. Where the house is and how much sun you get on the other hand...is another story.
Natural light, no smoking, some sort of outdoor space, even if it's a teeny balcony or fire escape.
Location and a nice view.
I think the neighborhood is probably my number one, but as I usually won't even let myself search outside of the neighborhood I want to live in, after that the biggest factors are:
1. Absolutely no carpet or, in the case of our condo, carpet with workable original floors beneath it so I can get rid of it :)
2. Gas-range stove
3. A home that is around 80-100 years old. This is somewhat flexible, but mainly I just can't ever live somewhere generic or without character. We live in a condo, but the building is old and filled with character, and I'm spoiled by it now.
Excellent flow...public rooms are open, inviting and easy to manouver...private rooms are quiet and out of the fray. I saw a lot of flow problems when hunting for space...personal dislikes: bathroom off the kitchen or dining room (yucks); bedrooms right between living room and kitchen (too loud); bungalow without upstairs bathroom (I am lazy); only access to back yard is front door or garage (again, lazy).
my ultimate must haves include a tub (doesn't have to be clawfoot, or even that big), natural light, and a stove/oven and obviously a safe/clean/pest free location. I've seen plenty of apartments with just a few burners and that's a total no-go for me. I love to bake!
as for appliances, I'm a NYC girl and I've long since learned that having a dishwasher/washing machine/dryer come with an apartment raises the rent sky high, so I've got my own portable versions that hook up to the sink when necessary and will accompany me to any apartment I move into. Landlords usually don't care about them since they don't require plumbing additions or special voltage outlets.
Natural light is awesome--agreed! Being prone to depressive swings, I needs my vitamin D.
My big things are - DISHWASHER (omg... doing dishes by hand BLOWS), washer & dryer at least on-site (if not in the unit itself), and absolutely, positively, definitely NO galley kitchens, no matter how many half-walls they throw in!!
And, going on sc1904's point, something with character is huge. I absolutely despise the cookie-cutter Modern American Home (TM). Give me old-world-feel molding, windows, door frames, fireplaces, ceilings... something! Interesting architecture is a must!
another vote for fresh air!
hot running water...
When I went house shopping (to buy), the most important aspect was location. I stuck to houses near a subway station because in the past, I lived farther away from work and it became difficult to enjoy going home because it took so long. Getting out the door in the morning was hard and I realized I would be happier with my home if it didn't represent this huge anchor.
light and near stores and civilization
Quiet. The most beautiful apartment is quickly ruined by bad insulation and loud neighbors.
I would gladly trade my dishwasher (a feature everyone seems to want) for more closet space or a window on a different exposure. I think my apartment has everything I want, but the lack of natural air circulation is tough.
- Big windows / lots of light
- Lots of wood
I just bought my first house on a quite limited budget. It has
- huge windows all over
- "wood" laminated floors, and gorgeous vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams and rafters
Never thought I'd find something so perfect for so cheap! We were able to look past various cosmetic defects to see the great bones of the place.
ELBOW ROOM!
As a renter an upgrade from:
- a 1950's house to modern
- external laundry to internal laundry
- from minimal to more landscaping.
Our compulsory requirements:
- walking distance to schools, shops, worship
- friendly community
- safe outdoor venues.
A kitchen that isn't segregated from the rest of the house is key. Best case scenario would be a kitchen that allows you to talk to and see people in the living room, but as long as it's not way off in a back corner and is eat-in I can work with it. I find cooking much less fun if it has to be a completely isolating experience. Lots of natural light is right up there in importance, too.
pets. as stated above, I got two critters that are non-negotiable.
hardwood floors, no carpet. lots of windows. relatively safe neighborhood ...and charm/character.
I chose my last apartment solely because it was on the top floor, in the rear of the building. I hate hearing garbage trucks at 5 a.m. and I hate hearing people walking around above my head.
Almost everything else is negotiable. You can do a lot with time and ingenuity, even in a difficult space.
I cannot live without central air in the mid-Atlantic area. Just not doing it. Also, a real kitchen is essential--somehow landlords in DC can advertise an apartment with a "full kitchen" that consists of a dorm fridge, microwave and hot plate. Hell to the no.
Other than that, it would have to be an otherwise AMAZING place in an AMAZING area for me to give up a dishwasher, private bathroom, and washer and dryer (in the building--doesn't have to be in the unit). Outdoor space is pretty high on the priority list as well. Enough room to sit outside with a book is sufficient.
Wow, I'm realizing what a great place I have an am happy I chose to stay, as the rental market in Chicago STINKS right now! I have HUGE windows in the bedroom, office and living room. I'm on the top floor. I live in Bucktown which has become pretty gentrified but still sketchy.
- Top floor. (Or at least quiet upstairs neighbor.)
- Laundry, at least in building.--- I lived in L.A. and had no laundry. Laundry-mats are scary scary places
- Windows / Sunlight / Fresh air
- Decent water pressure!! Showers with a slight drip aren't gonna cut it.
I wish I had a dishwasher!!!
no bathtub in the kitchen
no ground floor apt.
Two bathrooms. Well, two toilets at least. I went too many years having to hold it while waiting and then that horrible day when the new husband was "sick" in the bathroom and I was "sick" as well. I had to resort to using the wastebasket. Rotavirus, I'll never forgive you.
Had to downsize to an apartment so ... safe, great walking neighbourhood with amenities - laundry on premises - big windows, not those dinky sliders on the bottom - bathtub - balcony or backyard - no carpet whatsoever - double or big kitchen sink - no more than six stories with an elevator - top floor - no mould in the bathroom - permission to paint - and it goes without saying, NO BUGS - luckily, I have it all in my present apartment, pity the rent is outrageous where I live, here in Canada
Hard wood floors - even with small windows hard wood floors brighten a place up... soft wood (like pine) would be fine. No laminate (yuk) no carpet (double yuk) and no linoleum (triple yuk)!
Last time I was apartment hunting I was pretty limited by the practicalities - a place I could afford by myself, within 15 minutes walk of an El line approximately in the neighborhood that I liked, that would let me have my 70lb bully breed dog! Luckily I managed to get no carpeting, high ceilings, access to a shared yard and a pretty good landlord but it's not a terribly safe/quiet street, there's no laundry in the building, and there are a hundred little annoying things that make it far from ideal. Still, I'm coming into my third year now, so it's all livable!
I need a place with a bathtub and hardwood floors that's quiet,safe,close to the train and pet friendly.
dishwasher, natural light, and good air circulation ventilation
If I had to move back into an apartment I would have to say,cat friendly. I have a very very old kitty whom I have had his whole 20years of life. I am not going to get rid of him now. I prefer a place that allows cats only. I lived in a place that welcomed dogs as well. The POOP was everywhere! And peoples dogs would bark and get into fights in common areas. For the price of rent there you would think people with aggressive dogs would just rent a house with a yard. Also for the price of rent you would think someone (either the owner or the maintenance) would have picked up the poo. Sometimes its not worth the area its in.
Windows ... that bring in lots of light and air and a good view.
Peace and quiet. Just about everything else is negotiable.
Nice Natural light, a bit of outdoor space and access to a swimming pool. Also a washer/dryer, dishwasher and great public schools.
Someplace really quiet, where the neighbors can't overhear conversations in the back yard and no one can keep me up when I need to sleep. I haven't ever found an apartment like that so have always lived in a house. When my hearing goes I will probably be fine living in an apartment!
Upscale building or complex (I don't care If I sound like a snob)
Lots of natural light
Top floor
Modern appliances and decor. No World War II era apartments that the DC area specialized in until relatively recently.
Balcony
Walking distance to supermarket and drugstore (living across from Whole Foods would be great but it is not a must-have)
Must be a walkable neighborhood because I've never owned a car and hope I never do. And please no wall-to-wall carpeting.
All my life I wanted a bathroom in the master bedroom so I could close the bedroom door and leave the bathroom door open while taking a shower, so it would be cool and not steamy. It took me 50 years to get it. It is my sanctuary!
Things I Lacked for Years that I Have Now & Would Hate to Give Up:
-Adequate closet space (including a coat closet and linen closet)
-A decent-sized shower
-A dishwasher
-In-house laundry
-Office space I can close a door on
-A small outdoor space
-Designated parking
Things I Used to Have I Never Want to Have Again
-Wall-to-wall carpeting
-Tile countertops (I HATE grout)
-A big yard to take care of
-Steps (I have a knee problem)
-A damp basement
We had a short list of things we were looking for before we bought this place last November. It had to be handicap accessible, not on the ground floor, have great access to public transportation and a grocery store within an easy walk. Most importantly we needed to have a mortgage low enough to be covered by one income. We had to move out of downtown Portland but the place we moved to is great, meeting all our needs and then some. We have amazing walk-ability, are adjacent to a MAX station and three blocks from an organic grocer. We also got central air, ten foot ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. Our mortgage dropped by 2/3 and our taxes are half of what we were paying in downtown. We feel very fortunate to have found this place.
I am lucky enough to have an airy house with yard and washer/dryer and wood floors. I don't need a dishwaster or disposal. But, when I upgrade and downsize (probably to retire accessibly in 10 - 20 years!), I want:
Washer/Dryer off master bath, same floor as the master BR. I had it once, and miss it!
Single-floor living, probably. If I have to repeat my mother's knee replacement...
Pet-friendly
Walking distance to morning tea and muffin
IDEALLY... on public transporation, so I can get rid of a car when I'm old, but still get around. However, this one is unlikely, since that would mean moving into the city, which I can't afford.
Lots of rooms. I can't live in an open concept space. I had to live in a studio apartment last winter, 400+ square feet and I just about went crazy the place felt so small. I'm back in my 125ish square foot RV with four rooms and a sleeping space and my home feels decadently spacious.
After 5 fabulous years, I recently sold my dream home ( mid century modern 2600 sq ft) and moved into an 1000 sq ft apartment and for me, besides the light and being dog friendly, number one was having my own personal outdoor space. I have a covered porch that is the perfect place I go to many times a day, and it gives me so much pleasure!
A stove with four burners + good counter space. I'm a big cooker. The last place had zero counter space and it was a disaster preparing food in the dining room and bringing it over to the stove.
Natural light, though this is not a huge problem in Arizona.
Wood floors. I'm allergic to dust and the carpets seem to attract more of it.
I love my current space even though it is small. It has a lot of character. Before I got it I said I wanted a more modern place with a washer and dryer, a dishwasher and a bathroom sink that does NOT have the separate hot and cold faucets. Well I compromised and didn't get any of that but I did get a lower rent, a front porch and a backyard.
- Central AC
- Hardwood floors (allergies)
- Higher off the ground, the better
- Water pressure!
- Natural light
My list has gotten pretty long. Lots of light, none of which requiring privacy curtains. Quiet. Surrounded by trees, views and nature. High, open ceilings. Open angles and flow; no cramped, awkward corners. Within 45 minutes of work.
Hard to narrow it down to one feature.
My overall picks are:
--easy access to reliable mass transit
--a safe neighborhood
--a large enough patio for lots of greenery plus entertaining or relaxing OR, better yet, a backyard or garden
--enough space for my books
--good light and fresh air
--space for hanging artwork
A place for my piano!
- Location, location, location (between the city and the beach, safe, quiet area)
- courtyard
- space to plumb in a washing machine
The rest is gravy.
Beyond the obvious stuff, like safety, quiet, and bug-free, a place must be dog friendly and have access to walking paths. Central air and a dishwasher are also absolutely required. I have lived in the same apartment complex for seven years; it is peaceful and safe. A lovely duck pond is located just a few blocks away, which is great for walking my cocker spaniel. Six months ago, I moved within my community to a larger apartment on the first floor. The management company agreed to split the cost with me to put in wood plank laminate floors instead of carpet in the common areas. Yes, real hardwoods would have been amazing. But, I am over the moon with my new floors! Muddy paw prints - no problem! Very easy to deal with dog hair. So, I guess that some sort of solid surface flooring has been added to my list of requirements now (bearing in mind that apartment communities where I live rarely allow you much flexibility...)
My wife.
#1 "feature" -- cat friendly. Our cat is part of our family.
The other non-negotiable item: sufficient outdoor space for our cast-iron grill.
Anything else is gravy. Right now, we have just about everything on my wishlist: in-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher, privacy (we're in a single-unit coach house), a huge patio (perfect for an edible container garden), sunlight, 2 bathrooms, a huge master bedroom, 2 working fireplaces, tons of character, a second bedroom/library/office, located in an awesome neighborhood and very close to trains and buses.
About the only thing I could wish for now is more closet space... and a lower rent!
nothing here has carpet so that is really a non issue. i used to think great sunlight until i lived 2 years in the apartment i am moving out of this saturday. with giant east and south facing windows and 12 foot ceilings there is no way to control the boiling heat of summer and everything is staring to look very faded. not to mention controlling algae in the aquarium is completely impossible.
we just bought our first apartment and my must haves were walkability, not an increased commute to the studio, a bathtub (or space to put one in), a gas stove, space for a dining table and good closets. i was completely non-flexible on these 6 things.
I flat out refuse to live anywhere with an electric range. Even though I hate carpet with a passion, particularly apartment carpet, I would take carpet and gas stove over hard wood and electric stove.
There are enough apartments in my city that I don't need to make that choice, thankfully. The last time we were looking, our must-haves were gas stove, hardwood floors, on-site laundry (coin-op or free), and very high walkability as we are selling our car.
When I was condo shopping in a close suburb of Boston, aside from a safe/highly walkable neighborhood and proximity to public transport to get downtown, as well as at least one private parking spot (only because that town doesn't allow on-street overnight parking, otherwise I would have been fine with on-street parking):
non-tandem parking spot (no coordinating with a neighbor to get in and out
cat-friendly
second floor or higher - I wanted to be able to leave windows open sometimes without feeling like someone was going to climb in. Also nice not to worry about flooding.