As the population continues to grow impressively every year in a finite space, many developers like Yarrabend are designing new apartments in Melbourne instead of houses or flats. Although this means there is technically less space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort. As long as an apartment is well planned, it can be as great as any house.
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Budget and Location
First things first, for this list we’re going to start big picture and worry about the details later. So the very first thing you need to do whether you are looking to rent or to buy is to figure out how much you can afford, how much you are willing to spend, and what areas are in your sights. You need to consider your job and or school location, plus any of the other factors that are of great importance in your life. How far away will you be from your family and friends, and is that distance acceptable to you? You also must remember that you will have bills and unexpected expenses, so you should consider these things when thinking about the price of living as well. Another important thing to think about is the fact that everything gets much cheaper if you factor in a roommate, but that’s not a realistic choice for everyone.
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The Two Person Test
This is something that I have learned the hard way, but if your kitchen and/or bathroom feel uncomfortable when two people are standing in there, it will be the thing that slowly drives you mad. It can become the thing that you dread about coming home, or the thing that makes you wanna stay in bed that little bit too long. You just need a little space when you’re cooking or trying to get dry. This issue becomes even more apparent when you have guests or (god forbid) a roommate that also needs to use those spaces.
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Entertainment Space?
If you are the kind of person that has more than a couple of family members, or enjoys throwing a party or two, you need to make sure that you at least have a decent amount of space that you can entertain in. That could mean a patio or lounge, or even just a space for a decent sized dining table. If you are someone that is usually the host, suddenly not being unable to have people over can put a bit of a crimp in your social life.
Besides, your family and friends will want to visit, so whatever you decide be prepared for a little bit of space invasion.
Layout and Storage
And finally we come to the layout and storage options in an apartment, with layout often being the less important of the two. The main thing you want to look for is an economic use of space. Are there walls and hallways where they don’t need to be?
The other and far more important consideration is storage. No doubt you probably have a lot of junk (it’s okay we all do!), so the thing you want to see are clever storage options. Do you have access to lots of cupboards and draws? Do the bedrooms have closets? Is there a nook in the kitchen for your fridge? These are the important questions people.
Now these of course aren’t the only things you should consider but I hope this has given you a few helpful tips to help in your hunt for a home!
