With the number of inner city apartments growing each year, perspective residents have a huge variety to choose from. With rent and property prices continuing to climb however, you'd want to make sure the apartment you choose is exactly what you want, because you'll probably be paying a fair proportion of your income on either rent or repayments.



Whether you're looking at entry level or prestige apartments, anything built within the last decade is generally going to provide a good standard of living, but it's the little things that make the difference. Here we'll go through some of the things you should look for in your next apartment.

Quality. Most inner city apartments are going to look good during the initial inspection, but it's the minor imperfections that you discover over time that will really bug you. When inspecting the property, pay particular attention to the kitchen and bathroom, make sure the cupboard doors are property aligned and have consistent gaps. Check any corners and joints throughout the apartment and look for evidence of poor workmanship. Touch and feel the various fittings and fixtures throughout the apartment and make sure you're comfortable with the level of quality.

Parking. Unlike the suburbs where your visitors can park on the street, city apartment living means you'll generally have no street parking available. Check how many visitors' car spaces are available in relation to the number of apartments. Most apartment car parks have secure entry, but inside they are often open just like a public car park. Check with your insurer to make sure your car will be covered if it's kept in an open car park. If you require an additional car space, check how much it will cost, as prices can vary from building to building.

Facilities. One of the major attractions of city apartment buildings is their facilities. Whilst tennis courts are generally reserved for the prestige end of the market, your average building will at least feature a pool and gym, and perhaps a spa and sauna. If you are going to utilise these features, it may be worthwhile paying more for an apartment with a well equipped gym rather than paying for a gym membership elsewhere. Broadband internet access is a must, with some buildings now featuring wireless access throughout the apartments.

Security. As a minimum, most apartment buildings will feature secure entry, generally accessed using a swipe card. The swipe card may also be required to access your floor via the lift. This provides a good level of security and helps ensure that an unwelcome guest won't be able to access your floor even if they manage to access the building. An increasing number of buildings also feature video intercoms, so when visitors arrive at the building you can identify them and grant access without leaving your apartment.

There are many other things to consider depending on your requirements. A professional or retiree may be looking for a building that contains a higher proportion of owner occupiers and has good sound insulation, whereas a younger person may be happy to live in a building with a higher proportion of students and won't be as bothered by the noise from parties or other loud behaviour in the building. Price is also a major factor and generally you'll get what you pay for.

What you want from an apartment will vary from one person to the next, but if you cover the main items of quality, parking, facilities and security, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect apartment.