The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: Features

After living in five apartments over many years, I've learned a thing or two about where to look, what to look for, and what to avoid in living arrangements. Your post-college days will be chaotic enough spending every waking moment looking for a job, so why add to the stress? Some of the advice below may seem like common sense, but in the excitement of seeing a new apartment or negotiating with the landlord, it can be easy to overlook certain things.

Water Pressure-
It has been a long, grueling day at work. A disagreement with a co-worker and a delay on the subway on the way home has left you aching and tense. What better way to renew your spirits and invigorate your senses than with a steaming hot shower?

Not so fast. You'd be surprised how often you will find apartments with inadequate water flow in the shower. A weak shower stream or a low-pressure toilet flush can be a real pain to deal with on the Friday of a holiday weekend at 3 a.m. If you love the apartment, but are not sure about the water pressure, make sure your landlord will have it fixed BEFORE you move in.

Electrical Outlets-
These days, we are a very "plugged-in" society. Literally. We have all kinds of electrical gadgets that our parents never dreamed of when they were our age. As a result of this influx of technology, many people find themselves with more plugs than outlets to put them in. Surge protectors are a handy solution to safely increase the number of outlets available to you. But, they have three-prong plugs, whereas most appliances have two. In older apartments, it is possible to encounter a house with only two-prong wall outlets, meaning you can't use a surge protector. Also, check to see that every room has at least one outlet. If an apartment has been subdivided by the owner to maximize profit, larger bedrooms may be split into smaller ones, sometimes leaving rooms without one. If you don't have ceiling lighting, you will need a plug for every lamp.

Children in the House-
If you live below anybody, their footsteps will occasionally drive you nuts. If you are a light sleeper, consider who lives above you. I once lived in an apartment with three children under the age of five directly above me. I've heard stampedes that were quieter than the sound of three excited toddlers running through the house at 7 a.m. Living in an apartment in a house where young children live is also probably not a great idea if you like throwing loud parties.

Parking-
Let's face it; We live in New Jersey. The vast majority of us have a car. Let me tell you, kooky alternate side rules for sweeping or no overnight parking on your street can be a major nightmare. The street my first apartment was on had no parking from mid-November until Feb. 1, so that winter I had to walk as much as half a mile to my apartment on some nights. The best option is to find a place with a driveway. If that's not possible, find out about the local parking regulations. Your potential landlord may not have the correct information, so before you check the place out, scour the area for street signs that indicate the rules.

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