Finding the perfect apartment can be tricky, no matter what city you’re in. But as I’ve shared before, I have moved my fair share of times, so I’ve dubbed myself somewhat knowledgeable on this topic.

5 Tips for Picking Your Perfect Houston Apartment:

Obviously, think about what is most important to you. If you love to cook, having a spacious kitchen with chef-inspired appliances and a large kitchen island is certainly going to be advantageous. If you never cook or entertain, you can focus on maximized square footage in the living room and bedroom or massive walk-in closets, without the need for a decent kitchen. I love to cook and love the white counters and cabinets and space I have in my new apartment at Encore Montrose.

Along with thinking about what you want, it’s equally important to think about what you don’t want or what is missing. Picture your old apartment or living situation — what was missing that is now a must have? Perhaps you had an old apartment with only a stand up shower, and you dreamt of an oversized garden tub. That helps narrow down certain apartment complexes and floor plans, because now you know you know a tub will make or break your new Houston apartment deal.

Be realistic. If you lived in an apartment and have a super active dog, finding a place with

a huge dog park is probably a top-seller. One of the reasons I fell in love with Encore Montrose is their dog park. Neither my dog nor I have much time or interest in going for long walks. What he loves is being set loose for 10-15 minutes so he can sniff around and be off-leash and it’s a bonus because I can check client accounts, read or respond to emails. Another important note: an apartment saying they are pet friendly is one thing, but actually being pet friendly is completely different.

Location is obviously important, but it’s not always apples to apples. For starters it should go without saying you never know if you will remain in the same job for the next 12 months. As was the case with me ten years ago, I got laid off from the healthcare industry and I would have had zero other reason to live in or near Memorial City. Instead, I opted for an area that was centrally located – made me closer to some of my favorite restaurants, close to my friends so they could come over and visit for girl’s night, and still close to my gym, doctors and more.

It’s also important to keep in mind if you work remotely and only go to the office two days a week. Even if the commute is brutal, you may want to sacrifice a longer commute to live in a particular neighborhood or a better bang for your buck when it comes to an apartment since you’re only commuting once or twice a week versus every day.

Once you decide on a new Montrose apartment, be sure to check out these Montrose hidden gems. 

For my current apartment, the view of a bright, beautiful plant wall is what sold me. Some apartments charge a premium for certain views (i.e. courtyard, pool or downtown Houston skyline views) so if it’s something you’d regularly enjoy, maybe splurging on a downtown view is worth the money but a dual bathroom vanity isn’t. Everyone is different.

Set a budget and stick to it. Figuring out what you can and can’t afford is obviously a key step. I recommend using an apartment locator (they usually know the best deals) or a resident referral (use my name and we both score!). Finding a brand-new apartment (known in the industry as a “lease-up,” usually means you’ll find great specials, like mine currently is. Taking advantage of a few free weeks or months that is prorated is more than ideal.

I am also a fan of living in brand-new apartments, like this one. There’s just something refreshing about being the first person to ever live there, which is another reason I love Encore Montrose. The staff is proud of their building and amenities, so they always keep it clean. Since it’s a new building, everything is new – the pool chairs, outdoor grills, commercial-grade gym equipment (like Jacob’s Ladder, which is hard AF) and more.

This is part of a sponsored blog series with Encore Montrose. I am using the blog to share what I love about Houston, and specifically Montrose, plus all the tips, tricks and amenities along the way. These luxury Montrose apartments are currently offering major leasing specials, including look and lease gift cards and a few weeks free, so don’t miss out. Drop a comment or an email if you’re interested in touring or stop by Encore Montrose and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you!