There are many different things you have to take into consideration when looking for an apartment, everything from the area you’ll be moving to, the amenities, the school system if you have children and more. If you’re single, you may need to consider having roommates, as well. There are a lot of things to think about and if you don’t know the answer to these things, it adds up to one big headache.

The first thing you need to do is consider the area you’ll be moving to. This will include the reason you’re looking for an apartment, how long you plan to stay in the general area and how much apartment you can afford on your own.

How long will you be in the area? Are you moving for a job, to further your education, just for the adventure? If you’re planning on staying in the area for several years, you’ll want to sign a longer lease than if you were only going to be in the area for a short time. Many apartment complexes only offer a one year lease, though some will sign longer term agreements and offer a slight rent discount as well, if they know you’ll be sticking around for a while.

Find out how much the cost of living is in the area. This will include the cost of groceries, gas for your car, rent and any other utilities that are not covered in the rent. The cost of living in the area will dictate how much apartment you can afford on your own. If you find that this puts you out of the running, or forces you into a bad area, you can consider bringing in roommates to help mitigate the cost.

Check out the amenities offered at the apartment complex. The more amenities there are, the higher your rent will be. You’ll have to balance your income opposed to how nice an apartment you want. This can also be offset by getting a roommate, but roommates can be a problematic solution as well.

Lastly, you’ll want to know as much about the area you’re considering, as well. Find out about restaurants, hotels, the local art scene, anything that will give you a better idea of what the area is like. There are some great resources on the Internet; use them. You can find everything from what band will be playing a week from now to the average income of the area. Check out everything you can about the area and you’ll be much better of when you finally decide on an apartment.

If you have children, or are planning to raise a family in the area, you’ll want to check out the school districts, as well. If the schools in the area consistently perform poorly, you may want to find a different district.

Townhouses used to conjure up images of small, cramped spaces that were inexpensive and for many a “first home only” option. Nowadays however new townhouses rival their single family brethren in size and amenities. They have also set a new standard in community amenities with many communities offering luxurious amenities found in resorts around the world.

Read on to see seven things you should consider before buying a single family home over a townhouse.

Low Maintenance Living – One of the biggest benefits of living in a townhouse is having a homeowner’s association that maintains common areas and buildings for you. You won’t have to worry about mowing the lawn, not being able to get to work because the road in front of your home isn’t plowed or paying for garbage separately. The homeowner’s association covers different maintenance items in every community so be sure to check that your wish list is covered before putting in an offer.

Clubhouse Amenities – In addition to the luxury of having common space maintained for you there are the clubhouse amenities that also come with living in a townhouse community. Common amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, playground and some type of sport like a basketball or tennis court.

Clubhouses tend to have one large common space that can be rented by residents of the community and used to house large events like birthday parties, business meetings and more. If you entertain a lot then this type of arrangement may suit you best.

Municipal Services – Due to the size of townhouse communities, often in excess of 30 homes, townhouse communities use community or municipal services for water and sewer. This is another great aspect of townhouse living as compared with a single family home which may have a private septic and well setup.

More Affordable Options – Townhouse communities offer a range of models that vary in size and this variety can help you enjoy the same community lifestyle as buyers who purchase the most expensive homes in the community for less.

Close Proximity to Everything – Convenience is number one in the mind of townhouse buyers that commute and retirees who are downsizing but don’t want to give up easy access to shopping. Most townhouse communities are within short driving distance of mass transit, grocery stores and retail shopping centers.

Bigger Neighborhood – When you live in a townhouse community you will have more neighbors to befriend and can have friends for the entire family. Community amenities like a swimming pool and playground help grow friendships further.

Excellent Rental Potential – Sometimes you may need to relocate with little time to sell and renting will become a viable option. Potential tenants are usually more open to renting a townhouse with a homeowner’s association in place because it creates a near no maintenance environment for them whereas renting a single family home still comes with the responsibilities of ownership.