Searching for your first apartment is stressful enough, but if you’re moving far away from home, it can be even more so. Finding your first apartment away from home should be exciting, though, so read on below for four great ways to easily find your first apartment in a faraway area so you can relax and focus on the excitement of moving in.
Subscribe to email lists
While the ideal time to start seriously searching for an apartment is about two months in advance, if you’re moving somewhere far away, it’s not a bad idea to start being notified of new options in the area.
One way to do this is by subscribing to a realtor’s email list. Research real estate agents that help with apartments in your desired area online, then call one or two with good reviews and tell them what you’re looking for in an apartment. They should be able to set you up on an email list that will notify you of new options within your search criteria.
New listing notifications
If you don’t want to work directly with a realtor, most real estate listing websites will let you sign up for notifications. Make sure you enter your search criteria, especially the area you’re looking to rent in, your price range, and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want.
This should let you get a text or email notification whenever new listings you might like show up. Listing notifications are a crucial step in the apartment hunt if you’re moving somewhere where the rental market is hot, as they can help you get an edge on other people looking for a similar apartment.
Virtual tours
While you’re on real estate websites, look for apartments that offer a virtual tour. Sometimes this is a pre-made 3D tour of the apartment that lets you move from room to room. This can give you a better view of the apartment than pictures, because it helps you understand the three-dimensional space of the apartment and how the rooms fit together.
If possible, sign up for a virtual tour with the landlord or leasing agent. Having someone walk you through the apartment while on a video call can give you more flexibility for what you want to see in the apartment, as well as a friendly face to answer any of your questions.
Ask people who live there
One of the best resources for finding somewhere to live in a faraway place is to ask people who live there. If you have family or friends in the city, give them a call to see if they know of anywhere that’s a good place to live. This is the time to scour your social media for old friends you haven’t connected with in a while who might happen to live close by.
If you don’t know anyone in the city, consider reaching out on online forums or through social media to see if someone friendly you don’t know yet is willing to give you some information. Locals will have a good idea of the safety of an area and other factors, and they won’t be as biased as a landlord or leasing agent.
