First Apartment - Five Things That Aren't Worth Paying More For, Five Things That Are.

When you're looking for your first apartment, you'll find that a lot of places will try to tack on extra chargers for 'special features'. These charges often seems small, and if you have plenty of money and really want some of the features, go for it! However, if you're on a budget and you're not sure what features are really worthwhile, keep reading to see what I think is worth paying more for and what isn't - and why.

Five Things that AREN'T Worth Paying More For

1. Fancy Counter Tops: A lot of apartments have 'upgraded' kitchen counter tops. These might look prettier, but in terms of functionality, there is no reason to pay more for them.
2. Being on a Higher Floor: A lot of apartments charge extra for every floor that you move up from the ground level. I kind of understand paying to be on the top floor, since you'll have no one above you, but being on a middle floor? Why would you pay more for this? 
• Also keep in mind that the higher you go, the more stairs there are - and stairs aren't fun when you're moving all of your stuff into the apartment.
• For that matter, on the ground floor you can spread out from your patio (if you have one) and use yard space. On a higher floor, you are 100% confined to your balcony, unless you and your guests have developed the ability to fly.
3. A Dishwasher: Don't get me wrong, dishwashers are amazing, and this might be worth paying more for if you have a family or several roommates. But if you live alone, you will NEVER fill up the dishwasher quickly enough to make it worth using. And how hard is it to wash one plate? Besides, many apartments don't charge you for water use, but do charge for electric - so hand-washing dishes suddenly becomes more cost effective anyway.
4. Mirrored Walls: Some apartments - usually old-fashioned ones - charge more to include lots of mirrors in your apartment. Mirrors used to be very fashionable, since they make the apartment feel larger than it is. However, it's kind of weird to be surrounded by mirrors, they're easy to break, and you have to clean them because they get smudged frequently. If your apartment has them, fine, but don't pay extra for them.
5. A Covered Parking Spot: If you live somewhere with winter (like me), it can be appealing to pay a little extra every month and not have to deal with brushing snow off your car. But most places charge anywhere from $15-$25 per month for this feature...and simply buying AND professionally installing an automatic starter for your car costs about $200...So for 13-20 months of extra rent (depending on the exact cost of the parking spot), you can get an automatic starter that will last for the life of your car - and not only melts the snow on your windshield, but also makes your car nice and warm. And if you do the install yourself, you can buy one on Amazon for only $50 (or 2-5 months of extra rent).

Five Things that ARE Worth Paying More For (depending on your budget)

1. In-Unit Laundry Machines: Having laundry in your unit is infinitely more convenient than taking your laundry somewhere else. You don't have to fight with other tenants over the machines, you can leave your stuff in the dryer as long as you want, and you don't need to keep a supply of quarters in your house at all times. Furthermore, most laundry facilities charge an exorbitant amount for coin-operated laundry, and depending on how much laundry you do, it might even be cost effective to pay a little extra rent for in-unit laundry.
2. Patio/Balcony: If you can't afford this, don't get it. But if you can...it's definitely worth the extra money. You can hang towels or clothes out to dry, get a small grill, or simply sit outside and drink your coffee in the morning. These also make great places to entertain guests, and can enable you to grow some plants, depending on your sunlight situation
3. Included Utilities: Apartments that include heat, water, sewer, and trash are GREAT. If you can find one that also includes electricity, I'll be very envious. Although your budget might be better off scrimping on heat and wearing a winter coat around the house, in most cases, but if you're not that dedicated, having included utilities will not only reduce hassle, but can reduce cost.
4. View: Although not necessary, a nice view from your apartment window is worth it, as long as the extra cost is within your budget. Remember, you'll be living here for at least a year - and looking at a pond is way better, and way quieter, than looking at a busy road. That being said, if you're never home, this might not be worth it to you.
5. The Option to Go Month-to-Month: Most apartment complexes make you sign a year lease - and that's usually fine. But check to see what will happen after that year is over - will you have to sign another lease? For most people, their first apartment is not a long-term situation, and the odds of getting a new house or apartment within a month of a year lease ending are slim at best. The last thing you want is to eat the cost of several months of rent when you decide to move out, so being able to switch to month-to-month is critical. And watch out for apartments that have really cheap rent for a year lease but then skyrockets the rent if you switch to a month-to-month plan. Paying a little extra per month may save you money in the long run, unless you plan on living in your apartment for several years.