4 Reasons to Consider a More Expensive Apartment

When it comes to apartment shopping, sometimes considering an expensive apartment is necessary. As with anything in life, you get what you pay for, and opting for the cheapest possible option could lead to future frustrations with your personal surroundings. There are legitimate reasons to consider forking over extra money in rent each month for an expensive place. Here are some of the major reasons:

1. Safety

Of all the reasons you should pay more for an apartment, safety is number one. Generally speaking, cheaper apartments tend to be located in less desirable parts of town that are more susceptible to crime. It’s worth spending significantly more money on rent if you know you’re going to be living in a safe atmosphere. You can’t put a price on your safety. You’ll find in most apartment complexes that units on the upper floors are more expensive than those on the first level. Especially if you’re living alone, considering a unit on the second or third floor may be a safer option.

2. Better Amenities

Many luxury apartments are designed to put you at ease with all kinds of added amenities. It’s not uncommon for expensive apartments to include a washer and dryer in the unit (anyone who has ever lived in an apartment without a washer and dryer in the unit knows what a huge draw this is), updated appliances and additional building or community amenities, like an exercise room, swimming pool and a door man. If you’re tired of living in average apartments with outdated appliances and dingy interiors, it’s worth it to look into a luxury unit. You’ll feel more at home in your surroundings.

3. Location

As stated earlier, safety is a huge consideration in terms of location. Paying more for a better location also takes into account the apartment’s proximity to where you work or study. If you’re not too keen on a long commute, paying more for an apartment close to your office makes sense. Downtown apartments are typically pricier than those in the suburbs, but the extra money is worth it if you tend to spend most of your time in the city and can forgo the frustration of driving to and from your apartment every day. While the money you save on gas and car expenses won’t necessarily make up for the extra money you pay in rent, it’s still a decent trade off.

4. More Space

A crowded studio apartment doesn’t work for everyone. You should consider a more expensive apartment if you spend most of your time at home and want extra space to move about. Nobody wants to be sitting around at home in cramped surroundings. You want to feel comfortable, and paying more money for extra square footage is going to keep you from going stir crazy.

As you begin shopping for an apartment, the best first step is to write down the non-negotiable criteria. It’ll help you to narrow your search and figure out the general price range you can expect to pay.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.