Looking for a new place to live can be stressful, but there are more ways to find an affordable place to live than you think. This article will go over some of the best ways people find a place to live and how to balance your budget so you don’t spend more than you can afford.
Take an income-based approach
When you’re planning on where to live, the most important first step to take is to look at your finances. A general guideline is to spend no more than 30% of your monthly income on housing. While a lot of people spend more than that, it’s better to play it safe and keep to your budget goals.
Landlords usually require their tenants to make at least three times the amount of rent per month to qualify. You will definitely have to fill out an application and sometimes even pay an application fee, so be sure to find out all the details of the application process.
Ask basic lifestyle questions
This is another crucial thing to consider when looking for a place to live. Aside from the basics like electricity, gas, and cable/internet charges each month, you want to consider your overall lifestyle. For example, how are you getting around each day? Are you taking public transportation, or do you have a car? What’s the monthly fee for a parking garage if you drive? Think about what a typical day in your new prospective apartment or house will look like, and plan your budget off that.
Where to find housing
Check out some of these sites below to get started on your search. We’ve included some of the most popular places to find apartments and other housing, for short and long-term situations.
Apartments.com
With over a million apartment, houses, and condo listings available, Apartments.com is a natural first place to look. Just type in the area you’re looking to live in and adjust the search settings to fit your monthly budget.
Walkscore
A great site to check out because it gives you a score based on how close you are to public transit, restaurants, schools, and more. For those of you looking to save money on gas and other expenses, Walkscore.com gives you detailed information about the surrounding area.
Other ways to save on housing
It helps to know about options that can save you even more money, so take a look at these ideas.
Find a roommate
This is a great way to save on your monthly rent, so you should first ask family or friends if they know of anyone else looking for a place to live. Sites like Roommates.com make finding a roommate easy, they let your search for people in many different ways. You can take into account someone’s work schedule, income level, personal lifestyle, and more.
Work remotely
These days working from home is becoming the norm, and also a way to save money. Gas prices and car maintenance can be a financial burden, so if your job allows you to work from home, it’s another way to boost your budget.
Your housing goals
Finding a new place to live can be both exciting and overwhelming. But as long as you figure out what your monthly finances are, you’ll be able to zero in on a place that makes sense for you. Use some of the tips suggested above and you’ll most likely find great, affordable housing.
