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When looking at an apartment, remember to bring an apartment checklist of what to inspect in the surrounding area. Try to imagine yourself running your daily tasks and going about your life. Ask yourself what conveniences are important to you. Do you require a fast commute to work everyday? Or would your prefer a neighborhood near trendy shops and restaurants?

These considerations will help you decide the desirability of an apartment.

The apartment building
Besides checking the apartment unit, investigate the rest of the building. Are the corridors well lit and clean? Is the building quiet? Is there an elevator? How steep are the stairs? Will it bother you, if you need to climb five stories to reach your apartment?

The super / landlord
Ask any of the current residents for their opinion of the super or the landlord. Does he or she respond quickly to their repair needs? Do they keep the apartment building clean?

It is important to have a responsive landlord. Should any major appliance break (refrigerator, toilet, or heater), a landlord who responds promptly to such an urgent situation is desirable.

The safety of the neighborhood
Research the crime statistics in the area. Ask neighbors whether they feel safe in the neighborhood. Are muggings common? Can you walk alone at night? Are there frequent attempted break-ins? Must you get high security locks?

For women, it is a good idea to ask another woman how safe she feels living in this area.

Public Transportation and Roads

If you will primarily be moving about via public transportation, check how near you are to bus stops and subways stations and how many transfers you would need to make to get to work, your child’s daycare, shopping centers, and gyms.

If you will be driving around, then find out how near you are to any major highways and freeways, especially if you will be using them to get to work.

Quality of schools
For public schools, research the school’s credentials. Remember the location of your apartment determines which school your child can attend.

Some districts may allow you to send your child to a different school under certain conditions. If the apartment is not in the zone of the school you like, find out if you meet those conditions. You may be able to both rent the apartment and send your kids to the preferred school.

Laundry facilities
If there is no washer and dryer hook-up in the unit, check for laundry machines in the building. If there are none, find the nearest Laundromat.

Laundry is a time-consuming chore. Because laundry must always be done, I recommend spending the extra time to check this out.

Gyms / Playgrounds / Parks

If you go the gym frequently, remember to check out any athletic facilities near you and whether they are affordable and serve your fitness needs. Another alternative is to find one close to your job.

Playgrounds and parks are great for taking your children, walking your dog, or enjoying a brisk jog. If this is important to you, remember to find out how near any parks or playgrounds are to the apartment you are looking at.

Gas stations / Supermarkets / Banks / Drug Stores
Though not necessarily a deciding factor, it is always a good idea to check out nearby gas stations, supermarkets, banks, and drug stores–especially if you are deciding between two apartments. Being able to access any of these locations quickly will certainly make your life easier in small doses that quickly add up.

Getting your first apartment is exhilarating. That empty space is full of promise and prospects for shopping. Let your imagination wander. Depending on your shopping personality, it is easy either to get carried away and blow your money on nonessential (but gratifying) items; or to tremble at the thought of spending your hard-earned income on expensive furniture.

Below is a list of 11 essential purchases for turning your first apartment into a comfortable, functional home. My suggestion is to purchase at least the first five items before you move in.

1. Mattress / Bed
This first purchase is a no-brainer, especially after you’ve spent a night or two on a cold hard floor in a sleeping bag. Those first days, weeks, or months in your first apartment, your bed can be the place where you eat, read, and watch TV.

Remember to measure your bedroom, before you buy the mattress. Also, think about how much you can spend on sheets. Queen-size sheets cost significantly more than twin sheets.

2. Trash Cans
I like having a minimum of three trash cans, one each for the bathroom, the kitchen, and my bedroom.

3. Shower Curtain and Shower Rings
Not all apartments come with a shower curtain, and I would be suspicious of how clean one is, if it does. Shower curtains come in all different texture, colors, and can be opaque or transparent. With this inexpensive purchase, you can really add style and personality to your apartment bathroom.

4. Curtains or Blinds
If you have bare windows in your first apartment, purchase curtains or blinds as soon as you can–for the sake of privacy. Blinds are more functional, but curtains have a soft appeal. Plus, the fabric of curtains is a better barrier against sound and the cold outside.

5. Chest of Drawers or Hanging Closet Organizers
There are many ways to store your clothing. As long as you have one, you’re all right. A chest of drawers is great, if you have the space. A cheaper alternative to a dresser is stackable plastic drawers. You can also buy hanging shelves with hooks that sit on your closet rod.

6. Dishware, Cups, and Utensils
It’s much cheaper to eat at home than at a restaurant. Acquire some bowls, cups, plates, forks, spoons, and knives–disposable or permanent.

7. Fan
A fan is a multipurpose gadget, which makes it worth purchasing. In the summer, it will keep you cool and in the winter, it will circulate the heat around your room. Best of all, fans are perfect for blocking out roommate noises, loud neighbors, or the sounds from outside.

8. Table and / or Desk
As a starter for your first apartment, your table will function as the place where you eat, put your computer, and pay your bills. If you don’t have enough money for a table and you’d rather not eat on cardboard boxes, buy a card table.

9. Chair
Yes, you can always eat in bed, but it’s nice to have a chair to go along with your table or desk.

10. Lamp
A great lamp can really make a room cozy and is essential should the bulb in your overhead light blow out in the night.

11. Bookshelf
If you have a lot of books and cockroaches, invest in a bookshelf– or a semblance of one–to protect your books from the roaches. They love paper and will make a beeline for your books, sometimes leaving behind a trail of stickiness on the pages.

Short on money? Buy a few milk crates and stack them on top of one another. Or get cinderblocks–or bricks for an earthier feel–and boards of wood. Stack the wooden boards up with two bricks underneath the ends of each one.

12. Sofa or Futon
This is such a staple in homes that it’s disconcerting to live in your first apartment without one. They’re especially essential for when you have guests over.

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