Real World Lesson 4562: Finding an Apartment

Oh, graduates.

Moving back in with the parents after graduation is normal. You are deeply depressed, broke and not quite ready to face the harsh realities that come after 4 glorious college years. At least this is what I told myself.

Your boxes are still packed and piled not-so-neatly in your parents’ garage. Your bedroom floor is covered in pictures (that you cry over every night before bed), drafts of your resume and, of course, already-read issues of US Weekly and (recently deceased) Jane Magazine.

Unfortunately, it is now officially the middle of the summer and it is time to get that ass in gear. No more devoting your days to tanning poolside. No more evenings spent on the phone with friends who are also living at home and avoiding the real world.

It is time to get up and move on.

And, having already been there and done that a few months ago, I am the perfect person to help you in your endeavors. The biggest obstacle to overcome is getting a job. But, since there are plenty of far more knowledgeable people out there with tips for acing that interview and preparing for your new life as a career woman, I won’t even attempt to help you there.

A far scarier – and often ignored – obstacle is finding somewhere to live. Seriously, it makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I had the worst time finding something that was affordable, nice, rat-free and livable while also trying not to give into the scarily convincing ways of a real estate broker.

In order to survive, I learned three very important things that are must in the apartment hunt. Do not leave home without them:

1. A List: You can write it down, mentally rehearse it, tattoo it to your forehead… It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you have a list of 1-5 things that your new digs MUST have. It is very easy to forget air conditioning when you are standing in the middle of a giant walk in closet or, worse, forget your price range when walking past the sexy doorman. Don’t let these things sway you. Everyone has their must-haves in their home and you can’t let some shiny items sway you from your original goals.

2. A Tape Measure: This is definitely important when apartment hunting in a big city. In places like NY or LA, apartment hunting is a competitive sport. Most likely, you will have one chance to look at an apartment before you have to make a decision. Usually, you have to make the decision on the spot and never see the place again before move-in. Having a tape measure allows you to measure for potential furniture, finding a roommate (renting out the second bedroom) or checking to make sure the broker is telling you the truth.

3. Strong Will: There is nothing more frustrating/tiring/scary than getting your first place. I looked at 30 different places before I finally found one that I could live in. I wanted to give up/cry/get completely wasted. It was horrible. But, I pushed through and finally realized that it is possible to find something. It may be a horrible road, but if you stick to it (and make sure to remember your list!) you too can find a beautiful new place to call home.

…And then get wasted.