Where you live affects your emotional well-being. Choosing the right apartment could very well mean the difference between enjoying peace of mind after a hard day's work or suffering through a multitude of disappointments day in and day out.Decide on a locationLocation is everything. Well, almost everything. One of the most important things that you want to decide on is where exactly you would like to live. Which neighborhoods do you like? Is the area safe? What is the travel time to work? Are entertainment and shopping areas nearby? Is it a neighborhood you can afford? These are pivotal questions you should ask yourself in order to decide on two or three neighborhoods that are qualified for your new pad. You do not want to find yourself signing a lease on a place that gives you a two hour commute when you may find someplace just as nice only 45 minutes away from work.Decide on your budgetDepending on your level of financial autonomy, choosing a place to live has a lot to do with your budget. After carefully analyzing your commitments, decide on a price range that you can afford and stick within your budget as much as possible. Always remember to factor monthly utilities into the equation, as well as transportation costs. Paying rent should not leave you dead broke. If it does, you may want to revisit your decision to rent that particular apartment, or even consider downsizing. If getting a one bedroom leaves you unable to pay all your bills, much less save or help out your aging parents, you may want to think about sharing a two-bedroom with a roommate.Keep in mind that after paying rent you should always have enough disposable income to put some into a savings account. Landlord / tenant issuesWhen you have decided on a location and an apartment it is wise to speak to a few tenants if possible in order to find out some basic information about the building and the landlord. Some questions you may want to ask include: - How safe is it? - Are there any pest issues? - How good is the superintendent on repairs? - Is the landlord a difficult landlord? - Are there any tenants who may raise a red flag? Some of these same questions you may want to ask the landlord himself. Use tact, and ask in a way which does not insult him or make him think twice about signing you on as a tenant.Finding your own place is sometimes an overwhelming experience. However, the joy and independence of having your own space is priceless.