Apartment Hunting: 5 Top Amenities for Single Parents

Apartment hunting as a single parent means that you’ll have needs and concerns that are unique to you and your family. Some other apartments may be better suited to people living on their own, two adults living together or families that are larger than yours, so when looking for your ideal apartment as a single parent, keep the following amenities in mind:

1. Dishwasher

Eating at home is the most affordable and healthiest way for single parents to feed their children, but when you cook and eat at home, dirty pots, pans, plates, cups and utensils accumulate quickly. As a single parent, sometimes you have to schedule your time down to the minute and handwashing all of those dishes not only takes a lot of time, but it makes it difficult for you to chase after your kids should you need to. At the top of your apartment hunting list, then, should be an apartment with a dishwasher included.

2. Washer and Dryer

Similarly to the dishwasher, an apartment with a washer and dryer included in your individual apartment can make your life much easier. Besides being short on time, you may know what a hassle it is to load up all of the laundry and your kids and take them to a laundromat—which, with kids, may be necessary several times per week. Even shared apartment complex laundromats require you to juggle carrying laundry and watching kids. Doing the laundry in your apartment allows you to do the laundry as often as necessary and frees you up completely.

3. Children’s Playground

Finding an apartment with a place for your kids to run around outside, getting fresh air and burning off excess energy, is essential when apartment hunting. Being located near a park can help, but if you want to be able to have the kids outside in an instant, without worrying about lugging supplies a long distance, having an apartment complex playground is a must. Plus, it’ll give your kids the opportunity to make friends with the neighbors’ kids and decrease your chances of exposing your kids to criminals who are more likely to be lurking in public parks.

4. Security Features

As a single parent, particularly if you’re a woman, you may be at greater risk for becoming the target of crime—as can your children. Besides always being vigilant and watching your surroundings, you can increase your security by including security features as an essential apartment amenity during your apartment hunting. This can include a gated community, an apartment alarm system or both.

5. On-Site Day Care

While not always easy to find, an apartment complex that offers on-site day care can be a lifesaver for single parents. These day care centers are often exclusive to the apartment or otherwise guarantee that residents’ kids will be accepted. These centers are highly convenient for dropping off kids before work and picking them up when you get home.

When you go apartment hunting with these amenities in mind, you’re sure to find an apartment that suits your lifestyle as a single parent. While your ideal apartment doesn’t have to offer all of these amenities, the more that your apartment offers, the easier your life will be.