Updated on March 17th, 2025
AD – Sponsored | Finding the right apartment is challenging. Even if you hire a realtor, you may not be able to find what you are looking for, and you are left to search online. In this post, I want to share tips on how you can find the best apartment using the apartment finder Zumper.
Things to Consider when Looking for an Apartment
Location
Location should be one of the main factors you consider when looking for an apartment. When I lived in Austin for university, I wanted an apartment that was either close to campus or there was a nearby bus route to campus as I could ride on the buses for free with my student card. I found my first apartment by looking in neighborhoods where there were UT bus routes as I was not confident with riding the city buses yet. If you are also a student or you are working, you may want to find an apartment close to your school or workplace. When you are looking for apartments, you should have several neighborhoods in mind that you would like to live in, and Zumper makes it easy to search for apartments in those neighborhoods.
Number of Rooms
Another factor you should consider is the number of rooms you need. If you are living alone, you most likely will not need an extra bedroom unless you need to turn it into a home office. Also, depending on how many roommates you have, you will need more than one room unless you are planning on sharing a room. For my first apartment in Austin, I lived with one roommate, and we shared a room. At my second apartment, I lived with two roommates, but two of us shared a room while at my last apartment, I lived alone in a studio apartment. Along with searching by neighborhoods, you can select a studio or 1-4+ rooms when you are searching for apartments on Zumper.
Pets
If you are moving with your dog or cat, you can also search for apartments that allow pets. You will have to check the individual apartment’s pet policy though as many apartments only allow a max of two pets, and they may have expensive pet deposits and fees. Some apartments also have an extra monthly rent for having a pet, and they can have a weight limit and restrict certain breeds of dogs.
If you have other small pets, I found apartments are more lenient. I was able to have my chinchilla at my apartment and since he was caged, I did not have to pay a pet deposit, fee, or monthly rent. However, you should always check with the apartment if small animals are allowed. On Zumper, you can check for apartments that allow dogs, cats, or both to ensure that you find the right apartment for you and your pet.
Price
The last factor you should consider is price. Everyone has a budget, and it is often more expensive to live by yourself, whereas you can split the rent if have a roommate. Most apartments also require a security deposit, which can be equal to the cost of the first month’s rent. There is an option to select no security deposit on Zumper if you would rather not pay one. With Zumper, you can easily set your max budget, choose the neighborhoods, number of rooms, and if you have a pet, and hopefully you will find the right apartment for you.
Tips to Find the Best Apartment
1. Know your priorities before starting your search
Before you jump into searching for an apartment, make a list of your priorities. For example, is it more important to live close to your work or school or would you be fine with having a more affordable apartment further away? Also, are there any amenities you must have such as a pool, fitness center, in-unit laundry, or covered parking? You should make a list of your priorities that you can refer to when searching for apartments. Also, if you are going to live with a roommate, you need to consider their priorities as well.
2. During your search, favorite apartments you like
When you are searching for apartments and you see an apartment you like, be sure to favorite it so you can easily find it later. You can also use an apartment hunting guide and make notes of apartments you like so you can compare them and see if they match your priorities.
3. After your search, tour the apartments
After you have found several apartments you like, request a tour of the apartments, which you can do through Zumper. The apartment may appear nice in photos, but it may not meet your expectations in person. Also, when you do go on a tour, you can get a better idea of the area such as where is the nearest grocery store, bus stop, park, restaurant, etc.
Hopefully, with these tips, you will be able to find the apartment of your dreams, and once you are ready to move, you can read The Essentials Guide for Moving House.
These are such great tips! It can be hard knowing what to look for or how to get started. When we first started looking at houses I was so confused. Thankfully we got some time to think about our priorities and what we really wanted when the pandemic hit as we couldn’t view them anymore. The difference now that we have those non negotiable in our heads as well as knowing what to look and ask for has made a huge difference.
Thank you! Yes I agree & it’s good you had some time to figure out what you really wanted & it has made a difference in your search.
Apartments are going for about $1500-2000 a month where I live. My friends pay $3000 for an apartment. I am so happy I bought my house years ago. I only pay $600 a month for a 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom. I am saving thousands. This is a great post for apartment shopping though! =)
Oh wow that’s a lot to pay for an apartment. That’s awesome you bought a house & you’re able to save on rent!
These are all amazing tips! Knowing your priorities and what you are after are the best ones for sure, also finding a flat that is pet friendly is a must for me!
Thank you! I completely agree! I currently don’t have a pet, but I want to get a cat when I get a bigger apartment so finding a place that is pet friendly will definitely be important!
Brilliant advice. I remember recently helping a friend move and the hassle involved. These tips are helpful.
Thank you! Yes it is such a hassle to move
Great post! You’ve shared some really helpful tips and I think it’s so important to have your priorities straight beforehand x
Thanks! I completely agree!
Great tips. Although I’m likely going to start looking for a house not an apartment, all these tips still apply. I think it’s important to have your priorities straight beforehand and know what you won’t compromise on.
Thank you! That’s exciting you’re going to start looking for a house. I agree!
Love this, Karalee! My husband and I have moved a total of 3 times since being together and with each move we gained more experience and were wiser. Before moving into our current place, we looked at probably 10+ places! Thanks for sharing this! Super helpful xx
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you! My partner & I actually got our current apartment while still in the US so we never saw it in person, but it was nice! We’ve outgrown it though & we need a bigger place.
It’s always so stressful finding a place to live! It’s hard to find something that ticks all the boxes!
I completely agree! You often have to make compromises when looking for a place to live
I’m looking for my first home right now and I will definitely be considering the location of the house/flat I want, it’s so important to live in an area that you’re happy to live in, a great post x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you! Good luck with finding your first home! Yes location is so important & even though I would be able to find a house outside of the city, I love living in the city because I can walk wherever I need to go vs driving.
This will be helpful to me in the (hopefully not so distant!) future! Thanks for sharing! I’ve casually looked at places before, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This is a great post – now I feel like I have a process, or a clearcut way to narrow down and decide where to rent.
You’re welcome! I agree it can be overwhelming when you’re doing a search, but it’s great to hear this post is helpful!
Good luck with your future search!
Such useful tips. I’d also say that it is important to be patient. Sometimes it isn’t the easiest to find a home that feels like home but instead of settling – look a little harder patiently. When I was looking to rent my first home I saw 55-60 apartments before finding the perfect one. And many times I almost settled on some apartments but thankfully waited it out to get the perfect home (at a decent rent). 🙂
I completely agree that’s important too! When I was looking for my first apartment, I went through a realtor but none of the apartments were right & I didn’t settle. I then went searching on my own & found an apartment that met all my requirements.
These are good tips for apartment hunting. Selecting location is very important. I will always go for the one that is near with convenient stores, public transportation, and some restaurants. Thank you for sharing your tips.
I agree! When I was apartment hunting, I looked for apartments that were near bus stops & a grocery store
These are very useful tips. Thank you for sharing.
http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com
Thank you!
Great tips!
Thanks!