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?)
somewhere in new jersey
2. Will you be living with a roommate, multiple roommates, or alone? Why?
I would most likely be living with a roommate or 2 because renting takes money I probably wont have out of high
school
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.
Whether there are signs of rats roaches and other pests because I dont want to live In an apartment in terrible
condition. Whether there are any extra ways to get out in case of emergency because in case something happens I
want to safely get out. If the apartment is safe or not because I dont want a crime happening every few days in the
building. If there are any heating and cooling systems because I dont like to be too hot or too cold. And if there is
working electricity because I wouldnt want to be stuck in a building where not even the lights work

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 Woodbury Arms Apartments Jefferson Village Apartments
Location 1351 Good Intent Rd. Deptford, NJ 08096 401 N. Main St. Williamstown, NJ 08094
Number of
Bedrooms
1 1
Number of
Bathrooms
1 1
Square Footage Approx 750 sq ft 780
Rent amount 914- 939 840-885
Length of lease
(month/year)
12 months Either 12 months or 6 months
List apartment
features
Air-conditioning
Parking lot
Air conditioning
Washing machine
Pool
Security deposit none 1260-1327
Layout of the
apartment
When you walk in the living room that goes into
the dining room across from the ding room is the
kitchen next to the kitchen is the bathroom
across from the bathroom is the bedroom
When you walk in the living room turn left and
there is the dining room, across the entry into
the dining room is a small hall, to the left is the
bathroom and to the south is the bedroom
Pictures
Utilities included Heat water and electricity included Heat and electricity
(water, garbage,
electric, heat, etc.)
Parking Yes yes
Pet policies Certain breeds can live there maximum of 2 pets No aggressive breeds
Other costs Extra rent if you have any pets For pets 50$ fee and 40$ monthly rent addition
Other interesting
information
Has a hockey court and has new ceramics
Roommate(s) or
Alone
1 roommate 1 roommate
5. Now compare your two options. Which one would you prefer to live in? Why did you decide on this apartment?
the Woodbury Arms Apartments apartment because despite the size decrease the deposit doesnt exist meaning it
will be more affordable at first


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 = __22462.5_____
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 =
___1871.87_______
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? no
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate? yes
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 = ___10800____
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? No
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why?
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate? No I would need several roomates
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 about 55000 per year
i. First, find your net income by multiplying your salary by 0.75 = __41250_____
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by 12 =
____3437.5______
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 = ____1031.5____
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you calculated in the line above? yes
v. If yes is this a good idea? Why? Yes its a good idea because I can pay rent on my own with
money leftover
vi. If no could you afford the apartment with a roommate?