Affordable Apartments in Waldorf MD can be Hard to Find
Especially for young families, finding an apartment you can afford is a bit of a challenge. A full month’s pay dwindles down faster than you can expect after covering rent, utilities, and food.
But if you pick an apartment community you can afford (and create a budget you can stick to) you can enjoy a beautiful home that doesn’t stretch your means.
Today, we’re offering some advice for finding an affordable apartment in Charles County.
1) Calculate your Budget
It’s impossible to know what you can afford without reviewing your monthly income.
Start your search for an affordable apartment by creating a budget that will display your monthly income and living expenses in an easy-to-read format.
While calculating your cost of living, be sure to include the cost of:
- Utilities
- Food
- Medical expenses
- Entertainment
- Savings
Once your budget is finished, use this rental affordability calculator to help you determine how much you can afford to pay in rent each month.
2) Look for Section 8 Apartments
If you qualify for Section 8 housing, conduct a Google search to find apartment communities near you that accept housing vouchers.
The Adams Crossing community is one of the few luxury apartment complexes in Waldorf that accepts Section 8 housing.
For more information on the qualifications, click here.
3) Don’t Overlook Move-In Costs
There are move-in costs associated with applying for a new apartment. While planning your move, keep room in your budget for these one-time expenses.
The most common move-in costs include:
- Application fee (often costs anywhere from $35-$50)
- Administration Fee (this will vary depending on the community you rent from)
- Security deposit
- 1st Month’s rent
- Last month’s rent
- Pet deposit
- Utilities transfer
4) Consider Downsizing
Sometimes, downsizing to a smaller apartment is exactly what you need to stay within your budget.
It can be difficult to come to terms with selling or donating your belongings, but the savings (and many other benefits) associated with renting less space are hard to ignore.
5) Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses
Some monthly services are more of a luxury than a necessity. If you’re like most Americans, chances are you have a few unnecessary recurring expenses that could be cut-out of your lifestyle to save money.
A few expenses to consider cutting out include:
- Cable
- Netflix
- Clothes Shopping
- Date nights
- Eating out
- Movies
While cutting out all of these expenses is probably unnecessary, removing one or two of them from your monthly budget can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
Rent is considered affordable when the monthly cost of your unit is no more than 1/3 of your monthly income. If you take your budget seriously, you can enjoy a beautiful apartment home without putting a serious strain on your budget.
If you’re ready to start renting an apartment that is affordable in Waldorf MD, contact us today!
