Finding an Apartment Project

For this project, you will need to decide what features are important to you for finding your first apartment. Imagine
yourself ready to move out of your parents house or away at college and needing a place to live. Where would you want
to be? What things do you need and want in an apartment? How much can you afford?

Background Answer these questions in complete sentences. Change your answers to bold or another color
1. Where do you want to live and why? (City/country, what state/area?)
I want to live in the city in Boston, Massachusetts
2. Will you be living with a roommate, multiple roommates, or alone? Why?
I will most likely be living with multiple roommates
3. What are the 5 most important features or amenities of an apartment for you? Use the PDF Apartment Checklist
for ideas and write 1 sentence for each to explain why it is important.
Electrical- This is important because if an apartment lacks electricity or isnt safe it could be a hazard
Heating and Cooling Systems- This is important because the condition of the apart6ment affects additude and
quality of living whether youre hot or cold.
Living space- This is important because the amount of room you have determines what you can fill it with and how
many people will be living here.
Security- This is important because you want to live in a safe place with security.
Apartment home amenities- This is important because it decides if you have extra space such as sheds or garages
and may take account on parking and other activities associated with a garage or any extra amenity.

4. Find TWO apartments that meet many (or all) of your qualifications and fill out the information you can on this
table.
apartments.com, forrent.com
zillow.com or trulia.com just set filters to RENT
NOT rent.com (you need to make an account)
Search your college newspapers classifieds section too!

Qualification Apartment #1 Flex 2 w/balcony Apartment #2 1
st
Ave Flex- 2
Location New York, NY New York, NY
Number of
Bedrooms
2 2
Number of
Bathrooms
1 1
Square Footage - -
Rent amount $3,170/mo $2900
Length of lease
(month/year)
1 year 1 year
List apartment
features
Air Conditioning, Dishwasher, Furnished or
Unfurnished Available, Storage Space,
Garage, Pool, Sundeck, Wheelchair Access
Outdoor Area: Balcony, Deck, Patio, or Porch,
Floors: Hardwood

Air Conditioning, Dishwasher, Laundry/Dryer,
Storage space, wheel chair access, Hardwood
Floor, and eat-in kitchen.
Security deposit $1000 $1000
Layout of the
apartment
Living room, Dining room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms,
1 bathroom, and 4 closets.

Pictures


Utilities included
(water, garbage,
electric, heat,
etc.)
Gas, Heat, Water, Garbage Air Conditioning, Electric, Gas, Heat, Water
Parking Parking Garage (Included) Indoor Garage, FEE
Pet policies Yes both cat and small/big dogs Yes both cat and small/big dogs
Other costs Gym Membership/ Pool Parking, Room Service, Security
Other interesting
information
Only 3 Blocks from Time Square Park includes 6 basket ball courts, flower beds,
and mile long track.
Roommate(s) or
Alone
Roommates 3 or 4 Roommates, 4 or 5
5. Now compare your two options. Which one would you prefer to live in? Why did you decide on this apartment?



6. Will you be able to afford this apartment?
a) Assume you earn the median salary for high school graduates working full time - $29,950 per year.
i. First, find your net income by multiplying your salary by 0.75 = ___$22,462.50____
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 =
$1,871.88______
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 = _____$561.56___
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you calculated in the line above? Nope its on point
with the roommates planned to have
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate?
b) Assume you have the average income of a full-time college student, which is $14,400 according to the
National Center for Educational Statistics.
i. First, find your net income by multiplying your income by 0.75 = _______
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 = __________
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 = ________
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you calculated in the line above?
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate?
c) Assume you make the median salary of a person in the career field youre interested in. Look up the salary
on https://www.bls.gov/ooh
i. First, find your net income by multiplying your salary by 0.75 = _______
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 = __________
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 = ________
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you calculated in the line above?
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate?