As with all real estate, apartment hunting is always a balance between cost and space. You want to search for apartments that suit your needs and space requirements without requiring the bulk of your salary to pay for them. Getting familiar with square footage measurements and assessing your lifestyle will go a long way in finding the apartment that's just right for you. Below, learn how to find the space you need. 

Assessing Your Needs

Before you begin your search for apartments, take a moment to make a list of your "must-haves" or your "deal-breakers." For example, if you're likely to have guests visiting or staying over, then your list might contain a private bedroom, two bathrooms, or space for a pull-out sofa. If you value privacy, then a deal-breaker list could include complexes that are centered on common areas or those in which long hallways increase your chance of bumping into your neighbors. 

You'll also want to think about any special activities you'd like to use your apartment for. Do you do yoga or exercise at home? Then you'll want at least one area that you can keep free of furniture so that you can complete your workout. If you love to cook and entertain, then a larger kitchen and common room might be more important than a larger bedroom.

As you scope out possible apartments, pay attention to the apartment’s layout. Is any space wasted on unusable hallways, or are there restrictions as to where you can place your furniture such as large radiators? Are the closets big enough, or do they take away too much space from the rooms? Do the doors open into the rooms? If so, then you won't be able to store anything in their path. 

Considering Square Footage

An apartment's square footage can give you a general sense of the size of the place. However, square footage can be derived using several different methods, so the same exact space could potentially be advertised with two different measurements. 

The most common discrepancy is the difference between the overall space and livable space. In the first method, the square footage will simply be a measurement of the entire space, derived from the walls. In a square apartment that measures 30 by 30, for example, this would give the square footage of 900 feet. The livable space measurement will exclude closets and hallways, so the same space would be advertised with less square feet. One helpful tip for gauging square footage in a listing is to know that a two-car garage measures about 400 square feet. This information will help you determine the space you need. 

Wilkinsons Rentals in Milledgeville, GA, has been helping solve the apartment needs of students at Georgia College and Georgia Military College for more than 20 years. The spaces are affordable, spacious, and come with two bedrooms, two baths, and have washer and dryers installed in every home. If you're planning on attending school or moving to this area, check out their offerings online, or give them a call at (478) 452-3144.