For many of us living in modern cities, life can sometimes feel like Groundhog Day. Everything just seems to be on repeat. It’s comfortable but utterly forgettable at the same time.

The same is often true of apartments. So many construction projects are generic boxes that do nothing for the spirit or the soul.

Fortunately, if you’re in this situation while looking around at apartments, you’re in good company. In this guide, we run through some of the non-negotiable features you should look for to ensure your property gives you the joy and peace you want.

Natural Light That’s Actually There

As you flick through new apartment brochures, you’ll see many developers promising “natural light.” However, this can be more elusive than you might think. Perhaps the natural light comes through a tiny window in the bathroom or only between 5:40 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Whenever searching for new apartments, look for south or west-facing windows. These should be floor-to-ceiling to let in the maximum amount of light so your place isn’t a cave after dusk.

If you have two sides of the apartment that let in light, that’s even better. With these arrangements, you can really feel the changing of the days and the seasons.

Get A Real Kitchen

Another non-negotiable is an apartment with a proper kitchen. Make sure you get all the mod-cons that you need to make proper meals. For example, you’ll want to start with a full-size fridge and gas stove. If you can get a unit with proper electric or gas hobs, that’s even better.

Try to think practically about your kitchen space, too. For example, do you need counter space to cook complex meals for guests? Do you need an area where you can roll out a pizza base? If so, then don’t compromise. Look for kitchens with the room you need to thrive. If you can’t cook proper meals, you’ll be forever ordering from outside, and that’s no fun.

Find An Apartment With Usable Outdoor Space

So many older apartments came with communal gardens that nobody used. They were inconvenient to get to and cold in the winter. What you really want is outdoor spaces built into the building itself. With these, there’s a clear purpose for the space.

For example, a lot of apartments now have rooftop balconies that are also great spaces for entertaining guests and watching the sunset. These have pools, BBQ areas, gyms and other facilities you can use.

Walkability

Thinking about location, it’s also worth considering the walkability of the apartment. You want a complex that’s relatively close to everything you need like groceries and coffee shops. A lot of people go for inexpensive apartments on the edge of town and then find they need to own a car, which just adds to their expense. Plus, it takes a long time to get to work, which is also annoying.

But if you can be within walking distance of everything, that can totally transform your lifestyle. You don’t need to worry about popping to the shops or going to work because all the facilities you need are close by.

Quality Soundproofing

Quality soundproofing is another non-negotiable. If you can hear everything your neighbors are doing, it is eventually really going to grate on you and wish you’d chosen somewhere else to live.

Concrete construction and double windows are the best defenses. Standards are usually highest in buildings built after the 1980s, like those at https://2460terrapin.com/. Older, characterful properties are likely going to need you to personally retrofit the soundproofing yourself, which is an extra cost you’re going to need to take into consideration.

If you’re not sure about the level of soundproofing in the building, test it. See if you can hear what someone is saying in the kitchen from the bedroom.

In-Unit Washer And Dryer

Many apartments come with an in-unit washer, dryer, or both. However, these can sometimes be missing, especially in smaller units.

As a general rule, these should be 100% non-negotiable. If the advertisement for the apartment is talking about “hookups,” then that’s a sign that these units aren’t being included as standard and your life is going to be difficult.

With an in-unit washer and dryer, all you really need to do is put the clothes inside and switch on the unit and it’ll do the rest. If you have to share or go to the laundromat every time, that’s annoying and can take up most of the day.

Decent Closet Space

You also want an apartment with decent closet space. Top interiors should have built-in storage. If you’re an adult with multiple outfits and a blender collection, then you’ll need more space. California closets are a great option, but also seek built-in shelving, especially in the bedrooms.

You can make smaller spaces work without storage, but you’ll need to be able to put all your items in a suitcase. If you can’t do that, then larger square footage is essential.

Bathrooms With Proper Ventilation

Another feature you want is a bathroom with proper ventilation. Apartments without this feature can steam up quickly, according to https://www.quora.com.

Ideally, you want a real exhaust fan. A fake light and fan combo doesn’t actually move any air, so interiors become much more prone to condensation. Black mold tends to form within a couple of weeks in a setup like this.

If you can add a dehumidifier to the mix, that’s also helpful. These defog the mirrors and ensure the bathroom remains dry, even if there’s a brief ventilation issue.

High Ceilings

Many homeowners also look for high ceilings in modern apartments. These make such a difference. The problem with a lot of modern constructions is that the ceilings are only 8 feet high, so they feel like walking into a shipping container. However, when you get above 12 feet, you feel like you have so much more room to breathe. It can actually change your mood, which is why it’s one of our non-negotiables.