Home, sweet home. That’s what we’re all looking for at the end of the day. But when you’re moving to a new city for the first time, all the comforts and familiarity of home are lost, and you are stuck with the task of searching for another all afresh. Where should you start? What kind of accommodation should you be looking for? Should you hire a broker, or can you do it alone? What are the advantages of living in a stand-alone building over an apartment complex? If you find yourself confused with several questions like these, you’re in the right place.
Of course, if you’re a student or a young professional, you shouldn’t be stressed about housing options when you have professionally managed accommodations like Stanza Living to count on. They’ll take care of all your needs and provide you countless amenities starting from fully-furnished rooms, to delicious meals, to high-speed WiFi, to entertainment services.
But even if you’re unable to make a booking at a Stanza Living residence, you can have your questions answered and find a great place to live. Because we’ve been searching high and low for a way to find the accommodation that’s perfect for you. And we’ve come up with five foolproof questions that will help you find the place of your dreams. So, if you’re ready to step into your dream home, let’s get started.
#1 What’s my budget?
You might think that you need to think about money only after you’ve shortlisted a few options or visited a few properties, but that’s going to set you up for disappointment. The first step towards securing your dream accommodation is to determine your budget. And we don’t mean having a rough ballpark of the amount of money you’re working with.
We mean chalking out the actual figures. Look at your monthly income or allowance and think about what percentage of it you’re willing to spend on accommodation. Depending on the type of housing you go for, you might also have to factor in utilities and living costs. How much does that add up to? It’s important to know your budget right from the start so that you can tailor your search accordingly.
#2 What kind of accommodation am I looking for?
Once you have an estimate of the amount of money you’re willing to spend, you can make a decision regarding the type of accommodation that you want. If you have a lower budget, or don’t want to spend time handling multiple bills, you might prefer a paying guest or hostel style accommodation that will include basic living amenities.
If it’s privacy you prioritise you might consider a studio or 1BHK apartment. If you don’t already have a fixed idea in mind, you could look at a variety of accommodation options within your budget range so that you don’t miss out on any options.
#3 What is the location I want?
Now that you’ve set your priorities, it’s time to begin the search and research process. Make yourself familiar with the different localities in your city. Do you want to stay closer to the centre, where rents will be higher but commute times low, or towards the outskirts where living costs are more affordable? If you’re totally new to the city, you could consider talking to some of your local coworkers or friends to find out which area would be best for you.
Once you’ve got some locations in mind, you can contact brokers or search for property listings online. Narrowing down your search to two or three top locations will help you streamline your accommodation hunt and save a lot of time and effort. And when it comes to your location, don’t simply look at the neighbourhood your PG or flat is located in, look at its surroundings. How far is it from the main road and public transport facilities? Is there a market and an ATM in the vicinity? You can even use the street view option on Google Earth to get an idea about what the building looks like, the cleanliness of the area etc.
#4 What are the facilities that I need?
When you’re narrowing the search to fewer locations, you can feel free to be a little bit more discerning in terms of the facilities and amenities you’re looking for. When it comes to an apartment, you need to see what utilities are available, what the building’s security is like, and if you’ll have permission to use the facilities of the attached complex.
Similarly, if you’re considering a hostel or PG as your primary choice, consider what you require the landlord to provide you for a comfortable living experience. Will they serve meals or give you access to a kitchen space? Do they have cleaning services? What about a curfew? What does their security look like? In some old-fashioned local PGs, it can be difficult to get an idea of these services online. New age startups like Stanza Living will have a website listing all the facilities they provide. But whichever option you choose, make sure you view the residence in person to verify it yourself.
#5 Can I view my shortlisted options?
Booking accommodation or signing a contract without actually viewing some of your top choices in person is likely to be a mistake. Even if a flat or a PG looks very attractive in photographs or virtual tours, there are some things that you can only experience in person. You don’t want to pay a non-refundable deposit and move into your new home only to find dampness in the walls or rotten floorboards. So, it’s important to arrange a viewing of the place with the landlord before you make a commitment.
We would recommend visiting at least two or three of your top choices so that you have sufficient information to make an informed decision. And having the landlord show you the place is better than meeting with a broker as you’ll be able to negotiate any maintenance or repairs that you want done before you move in. Finally, when you’re visiting your accommodation choices keep an eye out for the direction your room or flat faces (which will determine the amount of natural light it gets), the noise levels of the surrounding area, the water pressure in the bathroom, as well as the amount of storage space available. These are often overlooked when it comes to finding your dream accommodation but can cause problems after you move in.
And there you have it. With these five questions and our suggestions in mind, you’ll definitely be able to find the accommodation of your choice without overextending your budget. So, do your research and get going. Your future home awaits you.