Tips on finding a quiet apartment? (apartment complex, tenants, renters, house)
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I'm planning to move to a new city that I'm not familiar with. Does anyone have any tips for sizing up an apartment before I move? Like, are there some red flags that I can look for before I sign a lease? This might sound snobby, but I think a lot of times if there are a lot of cars in the parking lot that are totally falling apart, that can be a sign. And it seems like apartments that are really cheap have degenerates in them (not everybody is a degenerate, I'm sure, but it makes sense that a cheap apartment would have at least a few unsavory characters.)
I've had a lot of experience living in different apartments and I'm sick of living around loud people. For the most part, the demographic I have the most trouble with are kids in their late teens/early twenties having loud parties, hanging out in the parking lot around cars with stupidly loud stereo systems, playing Guitar Hero at midnight, etc.
I'm not rolling in the dough, but I wouldn't mind paying a little extra to live in a place that isn't inhabited by rude, punk kids. I'd love to just live in a retirement community, but they don't take people under the age of 60. I don't blame them.
i would scope out an apartment on a Saturday afternoon or really a Saturday night. If you find a place you like, look at night and especially on the weekends. Cars do not tell the story. never judge a book by it's cover.
I hate to say it but look if its section 8 or not. Then look at the neighborhood its in just like looking for a home tha is quite.Like housing higher rent is probsbly going to mean quiter.
i would scope out an apartment on a Saturday afternoon or really a Saturday night. If you find a place you like, look at night and especially on the weekends. Cars do not tell the story. never judge a book by it's cover.
I second this, especially the "at night" part. You will also see what lights might shine in your window and who hangs out in the parking lot at night especially in the summer.
Also, do NOT live near the dumpster. Despite the obvious reason, trash pick up is usually in the wee hours of the morning and it is noisy to lift and put down those things. Also, does the fire department go down a road near your probable bedroom window to get to some main road? If checking for street noise, and there are trees between your bedroom window and the road, check in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees.
Do not live near a playground area or an apartment pool. In addition to the noise, people will park their cars in front of your building and when you come home with groceries, you might not be able to park close to your building entrance.
Oh, and when you look at an apartment, please look out the bedroom windows and look to see what is around.
Are there low roofs with fans on them? (mostly with food places), Is there a busy road near by? Is there a train station, buses, a park anything that you think would make noise and disturb your sleep..
I know, sounds petty, but trust me you do not want to hear fans or motors rumbling when you are trying to sleep.
Also, do NOT live near the dumpster. Despite the obvious reason, trash pick up is usually in the wee hours of the morning and it is noisy to lift and put down those things. .
HA....no joke! I feel so sorry for the people who live near our dumpster area. The complex has a real nice building with the dumpster inside, but it still stinks and draws flies. I wouldn't live in that area for free. Seriously!!
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When you take a look at the place (inside) do it during the early evening hours or on the weekend when most people are home. Can you hear kids running around, TVs blaring, lots of noise?
I will usually drive by during various times of the day and days of the week. It's not a true indicator of how things always are but you should be able to get a fair idea of what goes on. Just be careful not to drive by too many times and look like you're stalking someone. You could also stop and take a short walk around, talk to some of the current tenants and ask their opinions.
Give the local police department a call and see if they are routinely called to the apartment complex/area. Most PDs will be happy to give you this information.
There's no way to weed out noisy/crappy places definitively but doing your research can certainly help.
The tips above are great, but you really have to keep in mind that you never know when some insanely loud elephant stomping door slammer with lots of loud personal drama will move in to an adjacent unit. If quiet is really important to you, you should consider renting a detached house instead, so at least any noisy neighbors will not be sharing walls with you.
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