Finding a New Place to Live

Do you need a place to live?

Deciding where to move is one of the biggest decisions in life.  Your home is where you wake up; it’s where you spend lazy Sundays; it’s where you escape to at the end of long days.  It is a huge part of your experience in life.

So, where should you live?  How do you decide?  This article will lay out your basic options:

Buying vs. Renting

Your first decision will be whether to buy or rent.  Both have their pros and cons.  When renting, you have the freedom to move at your leisure.  You also don’t have to worry about losing money on your home.  However, buying a home can be a great way to invest money, and it’s all yours.

For a more in-depth analysis, check out our article about deciding whether to buy or rent.

Buying a Home

If you decide to buy, you will have a number of options.  You can buy just about any piece of property, including:

• Houses
• Lofts
• Condos
• Apartments

When looking for a new home, you’ll want to consider the neighborhood, the price and potential to grow in value, the characteristics of the place, and nearby amenities, including schools, restaurants and stores.

Depending on how much the property is, you might have to take out a mortgage.  It’s also a good idea to consult with a realtor.

For more information, check out our article about home hunting.

Renting an Apartment

If you decide to rent, you will search for a rental much the same as if you were looking for a home.  That is, you will need to consider the neighborhood, nearby amenities, rent price, and the rental itself.  And again, you will have many options, including:

• Houses
• Apartments
• Condos
• Lofts
• Single rooms

However, unlike with buying, you will have to decide what type of lease you will have.  You will have to decide between short-term and long-term leases and subleases.

For more information about finding a rental unit, check out our article about how to find an apartment.

Getting a Roommate

Whether you buy or rent, you might want to consider taking on a roommate.  On top of paying rent, roommates can save you hundreds of dollars each month on utilities and other services.

Finding a good roommate is a delicate task.  It requires getting as much information from the person as possible, then laying out mutual rules and expectations.

Check out our article about how to find a roommate for more information.