As I mentioned last week, my husband and I are looking to move! When we first came down to Pasadena, we had decided to stay in graduate student housing and it has been nothing short of lovely. But it’s time to find something that better fits our needs.
So, this is technically the first time that I’m helping select a new “home”. Though it’s not permanent, it still feels somewhat significant.
And I know that there’s nothing less productive than browsing places we can’t afford or scrolling through Pinterest… but sometimes I can’t help myself!
Fingers crossed, we’ll have a little balcony!
Furthermore, it feels like this is our first official home together. Our little apartment is cozy and totally functional, but we didn’t have too many to choose from. It was not unlike picking out my dorm room in college (which, by the way, had this awesome view).
View from my dorm room in 2013: Cambridge, MA in late winter
As we embark on this journey, I’ve needed to really think about what kind of space I’d like to spend time in for the next several years. Beyond setting our budget, choosing the number of bedrooms and looking within reasonable distance of where we work and study, we’ve had to talk about what matters to us when picking out an apartment.
Dreaming and surfing the web are nothing like looking at the real thing. And when it comes to the “real thing,” I’ve had to ask myself what’s truly most important to me.
So here are 4 things I’ll be looking for as we go apartment hunting.
1. Natural light.
Everything is more beautiful when light is natural. So bring on the sun! I don’t mind if our furniture fades, I want that gorgeous light flowing through our windows every morning. It lifts my spirits and doesn’t hurt when it comes to food photography!
2. A spacious kitchen.
This might sound strange to some people, but cooking and serving food is our favorite joint hobby. We spend so much time in the kitchen, so I would love for it to be a large space (though the kitchen above is much larger than what we’ll have). I have also promised to teach friends how to cook, so we’ll need to fit more than 2 people in there at once!
3. A walkable neighborhood.
Walking the in-laws’ dog this summer!
I’ve said in the past that I struggle with exercise– but I’m almost always in the mood to go for a walk! Currently we live near a gas station and where a Greyhound bus stop used to be, so it’s not a very walkable area. I would love to live somewhere with quiet sidewalks that are perfect for jogging or strolling. The weather here is perfect for that!
4. A simple layout.
Our apartment won’t be large, but I hope it will have wide-open spaces. Some homes are built with a thousand nooks and crannies, strange corners and separations. But for me, the fewer walls and angles, the better! This makes the space feel less fractured.
What do you love about the home you live in? If you’ve ever looked for a new place, what were your top priorities? I’d love to know!
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Downsizing is so amazing. Currently we don’t have anything really– and I’m hoping to keep it that way so that we won’t have to downsize in the future! 😉 And your living space sounds absolutely amazing. And I agree– houses feel so much larger and roomier and calmer without clutter. Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth!
We recently downsized our whole life, and found the house hunting to be quite a fun experience. I wanted no extra space that would mean extra work maintaining it, but I wanted it to hold our homeschooling family of six comfortably, with room to learn and live well. Small bedrooms are very doable, but I needed a wide open center room for shelves full of books, piano, craft supplies, a big table to work and eat at, and a comfy reading couch. This is a bit different than your typical living room, but boy, do we live in it! We also love to cook, and had to make do with a bit smaller kitchen than we’d hoped since the nice, big kitchens seem to go with bigger houses than we wanted. This challenge has been fun though, pairing down kitchen necessities to what I use most and we haven’t suffered at all. One amazing thing to me is how roomy any size house feels when there are lots of bare surfaces. Lots of room to breathe!
This is great! I hope to move sometime this year (hopefully a house, though!) and I need to write down a list of what I’m looking for. Natural light will be a huge thing! It’s important for my food photography, but I also just love how nice it feels to have natural light in your house.
I love this!! You have great ideas – important, thoughtful ones – that will really help you guys find a place that is a perfect fit!! Happy apartment shopping! 🙂
Wow you have a great taste!
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These are all things that are super important to me too when searching for an apartment!
– Liz
Vogued Out
Oh how fun! I used to really want a bird. I don’t think my husband would get behind that, but possibly a cat! If we can find a hypoallergenic one… 😉
LOL!!! Actually we have a dead one on our balcony…. I need to get rid of it. I kill succulents like they’re ants in the kitchen. it’s really terrible.
Hahaha! I totally haven’t had enough coffee today, but the part where you said “currently we have no living house plants,” I lost it. I started cracking up at the thought of a house plant grave yard around your apartment. I’m sure you meant you currently dont own any, or you have fake ones (we have a few of those too). Oh early morning chuckles… (;
Thank you, Daisy; I hope you can both find the same!I know what you mean, it’s important to know that you can give a dog all the love and attention it needs and deserves. Maybe a cat or parrot would be a good fit? I used to have a parakeet and if you have two they’ll mostly keep each other entertained when you’re busy. They’re such sweet birds and full of personality! I loved letting my Layla sit on my head while I did computer work and we both enjoyed music.
Oh a backyard is my dream!! And having pets. We’re really on the fence about getting a dog– it seems so impractical when we both have full-time commitments. Good luck house hunting Rachel! I hope you find something you love.
Yes! we’re staying in Pasadena. And there are some pretty neat buildings here (not ones we’d afford, but still!) and some nice quiet streets. Thank you so much Alison! 🙂
Thank you so much Denise!! 🙂 Oh goodness I’ve spent wayyyyy too much time on pinterest looking for home ideas. It’s good to identify what exactly I like about each photo, because goodness knows my home won’t ever look pinterest-worthy 😉
Yes, even though it’s not permanent, it becomes a big part of our lives! Thanks for stopping by:)
Oh yess….. climate control is so important. We do have AC but it still gets super hot in our apartment. Definitely looking forward to better temperature control.
Thank you so much Sarah!! Oh how I dream of having a real backyard one day– where I can plant tomatoes and flowers and stuff!! 🙂 Maybe!
Thanks Lauren!! 🙂
Wow that’s a lot of moving! I’d rather small and bright than large and dim!
Oh geez, it sounds like a bit of a nightmare. But it’s really nice to have that space especially because of your adorable daughter! 🙂 And currently we have no living house plants because there’s just not enough light for them here… haha!
Oh awesome to know! Good luck to you!
Yes!! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
yes absolutely! It doesn’t really get cold here, but it’s still lovely to have good light 🙂
Thank you Caroline! We’re still looking in Pasadena, CA which is just outside of LA! I’m sure it will be lovely for you to go back to your apartment… but I’m jealous that you’re studying abroad, that’s great! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Haha glad to hear it Miriam, and thank you!
It is really fun!! Though weighing out the strengths and weaknesses of each place is tough! And you are totally right. We don’t have a washer/dryer right now and the laundry basically gets done once a week if that… haha.
Thank you Shannon– I’m sure your house is lovely! Natural light is irreplaceable though. The house I grew up in had tons of sky lights and it was fabulous.
Oh gosh, good flooring is a big one too. I hate brown carpet… I’d have to buy a rug to cover it if I can’t rip it out!
Thanks girl! It would be so fun to live in a quaint neighborhood with places to wander– that would be a dream!
Aw, I feel your pain! Our kitchen right now isn’t a room of it’s own– it’s just part of the living space that’s *not* our bedroom haha. It’s tough when you want to make a large meal and serve a lot of people. Glad to hear the rest of the home is perfect though!
Thanks Lubka!! And yes, there are definitely advantages to a warehouse!
Yes, absolutely. Having to pay for maintenance (or just to replace certain parts) is expensive and exhausting! I loved living with my parents growing up– it’s great that you can cherish that!
Yes I hear that! It’s hard for us to find a place with a spacious kitchen here too. Thank you Amanda!
Thank you Joanna! Cozy is always good– no matter what the size 🙂
Thanks girl!! 🙂
Thank you Renee! And old homes definitely have lots of charm 🙂
Wow! I’m sure it’ll be pretty exciting when you finally get to choose! But of course convenient and cheap is always good!
Thank you for sharing! We are currently looking for a house to rent for a few years, and these are some of the things on my list as well! Two other things would be a nice backyard and a landlord that will allow pets, even if we must put down a deposit first.
Are you looking to stay in Pasadena? I’d imagine there would be so many pretty & architecturally cool buildings since LA has such a amazing design history. Ah, this is such an exciting time for you, Daisy! Xo, Alison
http://www.simplyfairbyalisonjeanine.com
Great things to keep in mind when apartment hunting! i love natural lighting and I think it is super important to keep in mind! I love that you have found things on pinterest. I could browse the home section of it all the time if I had the chance! Good luck and cannot wait to see what you choose!
Denise
http://www.fashionloveletters.com
I am also very choosy when it comes to select an apartment although I know its not permanent and natural light is a must.
http://www.rumelatheshopaholic.blogspot.com
Open windows & natural light are essential! I also recommend central heating/air conditioning. I had an apartment that didn’t have it throughout, so my room always was so hot & stuffy. Living on the 3rd floor in Orange County didn’t help.
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Good luck on your home search! I love a place that has natural light–there is just something about it that makes it feel so rich and inviting! I hope that you find a place with a balcony, too, because that’s another love of mine–the outdoor space!
These are amazing things to look for in an apartment!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
We’ve lived in four different apartments in almost 7 years and natural lighting is so so nice. Even though our current apartment is rather tiny, it produces beautiful light! Such a bonus.
Our apartment was a last minute thing. Long story short our previous landlord refused to hire a professional to fix a busted water pipe last January and we had no water for a week, while I was 8 months pregnant! A few things I like about our apartment is our spacious kitchen and living room. Especially with a walking 10 month old. I totally agree on natural lighting. Our apartment has one window that gets decent light. All of our house plants crowd around it. In addition to awful natural light, we have horrible over head lighting. Hence most of my photos are dark or done elsewhere. Happy hunting! Hope you find the one! (:
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
I am looking to move places soon and I love all of these things! Definitely what I look for too!
It is amazing what natural light can do! Natural light would be crucial for me!
I would have to agree with you that natural lighting and a spacious kitchen are very important when looking for a place to live! Especially during the cold winter months, these 2 things will help out a lot!
xo, carli
http://www.puppiesandpolkadots.com
wow that’s so exciting! Are you going to stay in a nearby city? I remember searching for apartments a couple of years ago and had similar needs- natural lighting and a good view being the most important. I probably looked at 30 or so apartments before finding the perfect one, which Im told it’s even that many! But I love it now and I’m so happy to live there. But I’m currently studying abroad in London and forced to live in student housing, which as you know is not quite glamorous. I’m realizing how important a living space is for a happy live, and i’ll never take my apartment for granted when i do get back to it!
I’d love it if you could also come check out my blog as well: afashionneverland.blogspot.com
XX
Natural lighting is super important to me. As is a walkable neighborhood! Kitchens are probably my favourite part of the house, so I’m pretty much in the same boat as you with what I look for in an apartment 🙂 Best of luck with your search!
I kind of love apartment shopping. 🙂 So much possibility! I completely agree with your list — especially natural light!
Our current place has a washer/dryer in the apartment and a dishwasher, which I never thought about much when searching but it makes SUCH a difference. Good luck!
Always, Anita
How exciting to be looking for a place together! We bought a house a few years ago and man do I wish I would have thought about it a bit more. Our house is by no means bad and I wouldn’t trade the neighborhood for anything, but we couldn’t definitely use some more natural light which will be on the top of my list the next time we move! Good luck!
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
I think you are so right with everyone of these. I also check for good flooring, nasty floors immediately ruin an apt for me.
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
So exciting that you’re moving! My apartment has three of those things (and kind of 4) — natural light, a simple floor plan, and a spacious kitchen! The kitchen and natural light are really what sold me! It’s an apartment complex, so of course there are plenty of places for me to walk the pup, but my previous apartment (in a different town) had the most adorable and quaint neighborhood — filled with shops and more. Absolutely perfect! Can’t wait to see what you find!
xo Southern Style
It’s funny you mention a large kitchen. That was something I really wanted too but in the end I found the (almost) perfect apartment. The only thing missing was a big kitchen. My kitchen is about the size of a small walk-in closet. 🙁
Natural light is a game changer!
Very nice post indeed.
In our current apartment we lack natural light, because it’s a warehouse, but is perfect for a photo studio ;))
I always think about light, a spacious kitchen and an open concept apartment but I never think about the walkable neighbourhood despite how much I love walking in the warmer months! Something I take for granted at my parents’ house where I’m currently living. I think I’d look for all of your criteria as well as making sure the fixtures (lights, kitchen and washroom) aren’t too old because I don’t want trouble and needing to constantly call plumbers and electricians!
thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com
1-3 are super important to me as well! Unfortunately in London, you don’t really get affordable options for large kitchens. Good luck with your hunt! x
What a fun time and I’m sure you will find the perfect place!! My husband and I live in an adorable little apartment now while we save for a home, and I love how cozy it is!
lovejoanna.com
You’ve got your apartment-hunting priorities in order- and have some beautiful inspirational images pinned for reference! Good luck with the hunt! 🙂
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
Natural light is a must! What I like most about our new apartment is how old it is! It reminds me of the house I grew up in! I hope you find everything you’re looking for! 🙂
Renee
http://www.losetheroad.blogspot.ca
I love wide open spaces and practical kitchens, too. We’ve never yet actually chosen our own place to live–and I have no idea when we’ll be doing so–our first place we rented from my parents (their old house) because it was a convenient and cheap option, we were assigned an apartment here in China, and our next apartment is already pre-chosen for us as well! haha–I can’t yet imagine actually making the decision of where to live!