As you begin apartment hunting, it can be tough to know where to start. Once you have a budget, it’s best to target your ideal neighborhoods. But how do you know which area will be the right fit? The rental experts at Buckner Properties in Cookeville, TN, outline a few key factors you should look for to help you find a place with a location you’ll love.

3 Neighborhood Factors to Consider for an Apartment

1. Accessibility

Make a list of the places you frequent the most. This could include your workplace, friends’ houses, a fitness center, and favorite restaurants. Use the Google Maps™ planning tool to see how easy and time-consuming it is to get to these places from each neighborhood. You should also map out the daily commute, as you may be traveling with rush hour traffic and will have to make this drive frequently during the week. 

2. Safety

You should feel safe in the neighborhood, especially if you want to take public transit or have a dog to walk in the evenings. Websites such as Neighborhood Scout® and Trulia® are excellent tools for seeing the crime rates in specific areas. Look at the type of crime also to see if it’s something you’re concerned about or could avoid. For example, if there are a lot of home break-ins, then you may not need to worry about it if you are only considering apartment rentals in a secure building.

3. Amenities

Check out the coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, fitness clubs, nightlife, and other amenities the neighborhood offers. It will be up to you to determine what’s important. For example, walkability is a popular trait for many people. However, if you want a walkable neighborhood, you may need to sacrifice the privacy and abundant parking that more suburban areas offer. The “street view” on Google Maps can help you get a better feel for what the neighborhood is like. However, you should always go explore the area before making a decision. 

Whether you’re looking for a small apartment or a home for a big family, Buckner Properties has a wide selection of rental properties to choose from. Contact them at (931) 526-2104 for more information about their options. They will help you find the perfect fit among their currently available properties, which you can view on their website.