Long-distance apartment hunting might be new to you, but plenty of renters have had to find an apartment in a city they haven’t moved to yet. In fact, many apartment hunting resources have adapted their technology to accommodate those who are moving from other cities, states, and even countries. Follow our tips for how to find an apartment in a new city, and you’ll be enjoying life as a local before you know it.
Set your budget
The first step in finding an apartment in a new city is to set your budget. Research the cost of living for your desired location to get an idea of what expenses you can plan to accrue. Are you moving to a larger city with a higher cost of living? You’ll need to factor in increased spending when it comes to rent, transportation, and entertainment. Downsizing to a smaller area? You may have more wiggle room with your budget and will be able to increase your month rent allocation. Defining your budget will help you find the perfect unit to fit your needs when you start your long-distance apartment hunt.
Utilize digital maps
The next step in finding an apartment in a new city is to reference the location and areas of interest in your desired city. Despite what you learned from following your GPS the wrong way down a one-way street that one time, Google Maps and other digital navigation software, are actually quite user-friendly. They are especially helpful when trying to get a lay of the land in a city you’ve never lived in or visited before.
Type in your new city and zoom in on the areas of interest. You’ll be able to identify parts of a city where there’s lots of commercial activity – from bars and coffee shops to high-end boutiques and gyms. The map will show you the neighborhood and the main points of interest. If you’re looking for an apartment in a quiet neighborhood with parks and a library, you’ll probably want to avoid the parts of the map filled with dive bars and auto body shops. You can also see what major intersections are nearby so you can better identify options for public transit and commuting.
Refine your search by the commute
While we’re on the topic of geography, use this opportunity to research your potential commute to work. Enter your new work address and determine what your public transportation or major highway options are from different parts of the city. Consider asking yourself the following questions as your browse potential areas in your new city:
- Is there a train station near your office?
- Is there a bus stop within walking distance to your workplace?
- Is there access to a major thruway near your neighborhood of interest?
From here, research where those public transit and major highway options originate and hone in on those neighborhoods when you begin apartment hunting. You’ll want to be somewhere along a bus route or train line (unless you’ll be driving to work), which will play a factor when deciding where to live.
Determine your desired location
Pick a few different neighborhoods that are commuter-friendly and have buildings with available units within your budget. it’s better to have a couple of options in case your favorite location has limited availability or it’s over your budget. Once you have a few neighborhoods in mind, do a deeper dive into each one and prioritize your top contenders. Now that you have the area identified and mapped you can start searching for the perfect unit.
Do your research
When viewing apartments for rent in a new city, you’ll likely do most of your research online. Apartment amenities, offerings, and prices in one city are going to differ from those in another. If you’re in Miami, expect to find apartment buildings with pools. If you’re in New York, expect a walk-up apartment to be your main option. To get an idea of what types of apartments your new city might have to offer, do as much research as you can ahead of time.
Using sites like Zumper for your long-distance apartment search, you can set filters for properties that are within your budget and include the amenities you want. Have a car? Filter only apartments that have parking. Need in-unit laundry? There’s a filter for that, too. Get a feel for what you might be able to get for your money and reach out to properties you’re interested in.
Start touring
Once you’ve found a few potential units, you can begin the touring process. If you aren’t able to travel to your new city for an in-person tour, utilize the virtual tour options that are available. Once a landlord or property manager has responded to your inquiry, request a virtual tour or additional high-resolution pictures of the space. With today’s technology, many rental properties and landlords can offer virtual tours of their rentals, whether it’s a pre-recorded video they can send you or a FaceTime call where they’ll walk you through the apartment. If you’re only getting a few grainy pictures of a potential apartment, it might be better to move on rather than risk being scammed. Make notes of each place you “see” and what you like or dislike in each unit.
Compare reviews
In the event that you’ve found a few great places and you want to narrow down your choices, log on to sites like Who’s Your Landlord and Review My Landlord. Type in the apartment address or landlord’s name and see if anyone’s reviewed either one. If so, comb through the reviews and see what past tenants had to say about their experiences.
Are there a few negative reviews compared to a few hundred positive reviews? Be sure to trust your gut, but take reviews with a grain of salt, as well. Everyone has different expectations when it comes to renting an apartment, and something that bothered a previous tenant may not be a problem for you. At the end of the day, you can always pick up your phone and call your future landlord or property manager.
Get approved fast
Now that you’ve found your ideal unit in the perfect location, it’s time to submit your rental application. It’s especially important when completing this process long-distance, and online, to make sure you have all of your necessary paperwork filled out and completed correctly. Be sure you are meeting all the application requirements such as proving proof of income and references if needed. If you’re relocating to an area that has a particularly competitive market, it’s important to not waste time and jump on available units to ensure you beat out the competition. Don’t risk loosing out on the perfect apartment by forgetting to include the tiny details.
Long-distance apartment hunting can be tricky to navigate. While it can sometimes be easier to view areas and buildings in person, the wide offering of digital tools available today makes this process much simpler than in the past. Use these tips as a guide for how to find an apartment in a new city and secure your ideal unit in your new, exciting location.
Ready to find your new place? Check out thousands of apartments for rent on Zumper and follow these tips to make your move an easy one.
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