Looking for a new apartment doesn’t have to be a chore. Touring different spaces and imagining new possibilities can be a lot of fun. Luxury apartments are jam-packed with amenities, and it’s always exciting to see what they have to offer. Downtown Seattle has oodles of options for luxury apartment living – how do you find out which apartment is right for you?
NARROW DOWN THE NEIGHBORHOODS
Find your perfect neighborhood first. Take time to explore the city to discover which neighborhood suits you best. This is especially true if you’re new to a city. There’s nothing worse than getting locked into a lease in a neighborhood you don’t like. Many people come to Seattle, WA because they’re working in the technology sector and so tend to stick to the downtown neighborhoods.
If you’re looking for an apartment near Amazon, Microsoft, or another tech company, you want something close to work with great amenities. The Capitol Hill neighborhood is one example. Consistently rated one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle, with plenty of young people, a vibrant nightlife, and a quick commute, these Seattle luxury apartments will make you feel at home.
RESEARCH APARTMENT AMENITIES
Luxury apartments, especially those in the heart of the city, make apartment living feel indulgent. Swimming pools and fitness areas are one thing, but most luxury apartments go above and beyond, getting really creative with the services they provide. With all the available options, it can be difficult to narrow your choices and figure out what you can actually use and what you can’t. Here are a few that might top your list:
- Bike Room: Save space in your apartment with on-site bicycle storage
- Fitness Centers: This is available in many apartments. Check to see that it fits your needs – is there room for yoga? Are classes available?
- Library or Media Room: Having access to books can make any apartment feel like home.
- Roof Deck/Sky Room: Some downtown apartments feature breathtaking views of Seattle from the building’s sky room.
… AND CHOOSE THE ONES THAT SUIT YOU BEST
Find out which amenities you most value: Maybe you hate bringing your clothes to the dry-cleaner, so a dry-cleaning service is perfect for you. Or perhaps the idea of a rooftop solar farm to cut energy costs really gets you excited. Decide what works for you and make an appointment to see the places that line up with your needs.
Try not to get too blinded by the variety of services available, and instead focus on the neighborhood, the building itself, and the amenities you’ll actually use. It might be helpful to make a priority list of which ones are most important. Remember, luxury amenities are only a luxury when they mean something to you.
SCHEDULE A WALKTHROUGH
Now that you’ve narrowed your list, it’s time to go see the apartments. The walkthrough is the most important part. It’s your time to get a feel for the space, ask the property manager your most burning questions, and get to know the community vibe. Thankfully, with luxury apartments, you don’t usually have to ask the questions typical of older apartments. All luxury apartments will have an on-call management team, so any problems can be resolved with just a phone call downstairs.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS
Ask about the history of the building. Many luxury apartments, such as the Dunn Motors Apartments, are built in rehabilitated factories or industrial buildings. Apartment buildings like these have a rich history that sets them apart from other luxury complexes. Ask about the neighborhood’s daily life and what fun activities are close by. Lastly, and this is true for all apartment hunters, review the terms of the lease carefully. It’s imperative that you know:
- How long the lease term is
- What forms of payment are accepted
- If there is a grace period on late payments
- Late fees, security fees, and any other fees
- If sub-letting is acceptable should you need to travel for a few months
- What happens at the end of the lease term – month-to-month or resign?
- Pet rules, utilities, etc.
Usually, apartment managers make this part of the hunt much easier for you than it would be renting from an individual. After all, property management is their job, so they will help you understand fine print and all the other little confusions that come with renting an apartment.
