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?)
I want to live somewhere close to the college
2. Will you be living with a roommate, multiple roommates, or alone? Why?
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.
A/C, need a garage,
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!
http://www.apartments.com/361-robinson-st-basalt-co/1zklst4/
Qualification

Apartment #1 NAME

Apartment #2 - NAME

Location

361 Robinson St, Basalt, CO 81621

4151 N Traverse Mountain Blvd,

Lehi, UT 84043

Number of
Bedrooms

Number of
Bathrooms

Square
Footage
Rent amount

1,031 Sq Ft

1,100 Sq Ft - 1,200 Sq Ft

$2,300

$1,179

Length of
lease
(month/year)
List
apartment
features

10-15 month

6 month 1 year

Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning
Cable Ready
Ceiling Fans
Fireplace
Heating
High Speed Internet Access
Satellite TV
Tub/Shower
Washer/Dryer

Washer/Dryer Hookup

Security
deposit
Layout of the
apartment
[Insert
Picture]

$2,300

$1,179

Pictures

Utilities
included
(water,
garbage,
electric, heat,
etc.)
Parking Cost

Water, Trash Removal, Sewer

Pet Policies

Dogs Allowed
$300 Deposit
$35 Monthly Pet Rent
$300 Fee
50 lb Weight Limit
2 Pet Limit
Cats Allowed
$300 Deposit
$35 Monthly Pet Rent
$300 Fee
2 Pet Limit

Other costs

$35

Other
interesting
information

Roommate(s)
or Alone

Roommate

Roommate

5. Now compare your two options. Which one would you prefer to live in? Why did you decide on
this apartment?

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 = _______
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by
12 = __________
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 =
________
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you 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?
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 = _______
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by
12 = __________
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 =
________
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you 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?
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 = _______
ii. Then, find how much you will take home per month by dividing that number by
12 = __________
iii. Next, find what you should spend for rent by multiplying that number by 0.30 =
________
iv. Is the rent for the apartment less than what you 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?