Choosing an Apartment When You Are Poor

When choosing an apartment on a low-income budget, there are several things you can take into consideration that may help you save money.

One of the most important tips is to choose a unit that is not on the ground floor. If you choose a second floor unit or higher, your apartment will tend to be warmer in winter because of the warmth rising from unit below you. This can help save on heating costs. Our last apartment was so warm that we never once turned on the heater in winter. A second level unit is also safer because the windows are not at ground level. Most break-ins occur in first floor apartments. Besides, climbing the stairs is excellent exercise!

Choosing an apartment with a balcony is essential if you want to grow your own food. You can grow a surprising amount of food on even the smallest of balconies. Even balconies that are in shade most of the day can grow some shade-tolerant food plants. By laying down bags of potting soil and planting in slits in the tops, you can make almost the entire surface area of your balcony a garden. Check your local library or online for info on how to grow square food gardens and other high-yield gardens.

Remember to check all of the seals on your windows and doors. Poor seals will reduce the energy efficiency of your apartment and will raise your heating and cooling bills. Also check the amount of direct sunlight the unit receives. We once had an apartment whose entire front was shaded by a large tree. It cut down on our electricity use in summer immensely by keeping direct sun out of our apartment. We saved almost $100 a month in electricity costs. It was also a much more beautiful view than just staring out at the next building would have been. If you do not plan to put a garden on your balcony, look for an apartment that is shaded during most of the day if you live in a warm climate or a unit that gets a lot of sun if you live in a cold climate.

Consider fireplaces when apartment shopping. How poor are you? If you will be able to afford heating in winter, do not choose and apartment with a fireplace. It will suck heat from the room, even if it is closed. If you think you may be unable to afford heating, however, you should choose an apartment with a fireplace so that you will have some way to stay at least a little warm. You can find free firewood by checking Freecycle.org. Some apartments offer paid bills, so you will not have to worry about heating costs.

Check to see if the apartment has washer and dryer hookups. Coin washers are much more expensive than running your own. You can usually find free working washers and dryers on Freecycle or on Craigslist. If you cannot afford to run a washer, choose an apartment with a bath tub so that you can hand wash your laundry.

If you live in an area with very hot summers, see if you can find an apartment that has a good swimming pool. It's a great way to escape the heat for a little while and cool off when you can't afford air conditioning.

If you are planning on choosing a newer apartment or an apartment with appliances, check to see if they are Energy Star appliances. Refrigerators and dish washers use a surprising amount of electricity. If it's a choice between two equal apartments, choose the one with newer appliances.