Finding an Apartment Project

For this project, you will need to decide what features are important to you for finding your first apartment. Imagine
yourself ready to move out of your parents house or away at college and needing a place to live. Where would you want
to be? What things do you need and want in an apartment? How much can you afford?

Background Answer these questions in complete sentences. Change your answers to bold or another color
1. Where do you want to live and why? (City/country, what state/area?)
Los Angeles, California.
2. Will you be living with a roommate, multiple roommates, or alone? Why?
I will want to live alone because I enjoy having time to myself which is something I rarely get at the
moment.
3. What are the 5 most important features or amenities of an apartment for you? Use the PDF Apartment Checklist
for ideas and write 1 sentence for each to explain why it is important.
Nearby public transportation so it would be easier to get around. Is the kitchen adequate because I like
to cook and if the cooking appliances do not work that would be a problem for me. Are pets allowed and
would there be an extra fee because I have a miniature dashund that I do not think I would want to
leave behind. Do the doors have dead- bolt locks because I want to feel safe where I live. Is high speed
internet available because I need it for my laptop.
4. Find TWO apartments that meet many (or all) of your qualifications and fill out the information you can on this
table.
apartments.com, forrent.com
zillow.com or trulia.com just set filters to RENT
NOT rent.com (you need to make an account)
Search your college newspapers classifieds section too!

Qualification Apartment #1 The Langham Apartment #2 Versailles Koreatown
Location 715 s. Normandie Ave. Los Angeles, Ca 90005 918 s. Oxford Ave. Los Angeles, Ca 90006
Number of
Bedrooms
1 Bedroom 1 Bedroom
Number of
Bathrooms
1 Bathroom 1 Bathroom
Square
Footage
750 sq. ft. 639 sq. ft.
Rent amount $1150- $1250 $1645- $ 1890
Length of lease
(month/year)
12 months Flexible Terms
List apartment
features
Unfurnished available, pool, sundeck, vintage
building, elevator, package receiving, fitness
center, on- site management, controlled access,
cats and small dogs allowed.
Dishwasher, washer/ dryer, unfurnished available,
high speed internet available, whirlpool, sauna,
clubhouse, business center, elevator, package
receiving, fitness center: free, on- site management,
controlled access.
Security
deposit
Varies $475
Layout of the
apartment




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Utilities
included
(water,
garbage,
electric, heat,
etc.)
unknown Unknown
Parking unknown Available parking carport
Pet policies Cats and small dogs allowed Cats allowed, small dogs allowed, large dogs allowed,
pets negotiable
Other costs Pet deposit unknown
Other
interesting
information

Roommate(s)
or Alone
Alone Alone
5. Now compare your two options. Which one would you prefer to live in? Why did you decide on this apartment?

Out of the two options I think that I would want to live in The Langham

6. Will you be able to afford this apartment?
a) Assume you earn the median salary for high school graduates working full time - $29,950 per year.
i. First, find your net income by multiplying your salary by 0.75 = __$22,462.50_____
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 =
____$1,871.88______
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 = ____$561.56____
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you calculated in the line above? Its more than what I
calculated in the line above.
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate? I could afford the apartment with a
roommate.
b) Assume you have the average income of a full-time college student, which is $14,400 according to the
National Center for Educational Statistics.
i. First, find your net income by multiplying your income by 0.75 = ____$10,800___
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 =
____$900______
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 = ___$270_____
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you calculated in the line above? Its more than what I
calculated in the line above.
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate? I could not afford the apartment even
with a roommate.
c) Assume you make the median salary of a person in the career field youre interested in. Look up the salary
on https://www.bls.gov/ooh
i. First, find your net income by multiplying your salary by 0.75 = ____$27,000___
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 =
____$2,250______
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 = ___$675___
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you calculated in the line above? Its more than what I
calculated in the line above.
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate? I could afford the apartment with a
roommate.