By Ategie Edwards

There comes a time in everyone’s life where they feel the need to spread their wings of independence.

For many, one of the ways this is done is by finally living on their own. Living alone grants you privacy, peace and quiet and time to focus on you.

But how do you go about selecting a temporary, or maybe even permanent, living space?

Here are four things you need to know before you start apartment hunting.

1 – What do you want?

What kind of person are you?

Are you the type of person who is okay sharing facilities with a friend or stranger or do you get easily annoyed by another person’s presence?

Would you prefer a studio-like apartment or something with a more homey feel?

These are all questions you shold ask yourself before apartment hunting. That it will be easier to compile your list of prospective properties.

2 – What should the area be like?

Find out all you can about the area or community you will be calling your home.

Granted, anywhere you go there is danger, but there are some areas that are much safer than others.

If the area has a history of violence, residing in that space might not be the best idea, even if it’s close to work.

Truth be told, living in an area where you have to constantly worry if you might end up in danger can be mentally exhausting.

The best thing for you to do might be to reside in a gated community, housing scheme or just a quiet but populated area. It is better to have peace of mind than mentally suffer, so do your research.

3 – Bring company

When viewing an apartment, it is best to bring company, especially if you are a woman.

In this case, the best type of company to have is that of a male.

Why, you ask? Well, a sad but very real fact is that many human traffickers or other criminals use this opportunity to capture their prey.

Therefore a woman, and even a man, going alone to view an empty apartment is not the safest thing to do.

When you know you will be apartment viewing, ensure your company is on standby.

4 – What is your budget?

Know your pocket! This cannot be stressed enough.

It is important that you budget your prospective apartment in your expenses.

Getting an apartment where the cost of rent is more than half of your monthly salary is not a very god move.

It will leave you house poor and you will most definitely become a house rat since you won’t be able to afford to go out.

All in all, when including your apartment with other life needs, such as groceries and transportation, ensure cumulatively the total is no more than 50 per cent of your income. That way you are able to save 30 per cent and splurge the other 20.