Atlanta has been one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Finding an apartment in such a huge place can be challenging regardless of your budget or the amount of time you have to find a place. Taking a streamlined approach to your apartment hunt will help you find the Atlanta apartment that is right for you in no time at all. These steps will help guide you through the seemingly daunting sea of classified ads and “for rent” signs.

Make a decision

If you are moving to Atlanta for a lucrative career step, you may want to consider buying a house or condo instead of renting. Ask yourself whether you are ready to make that kind of commitment in a new city and whether you are financially up to the task. You may want to rent an apartment for six months or a year so you can get a feel for the city before you buy.
 

Map it

The first map you need to use is not one of the city, but one of your own goals. Narrow your search significantly by keeping a list of things you want in an apartment. This goes beyond price and size. Do you want a downtown loft or a suburban duplex? Will you want roommates? Will you need parking? The list goes on, but having a solid concept of your ideal setup will make your Atlanta apartment search easier.

Navigate the classifieds

Once you know exactly what you want, browsing the classifieds is a breeze. You can narrow your search even more by determining the right part of town for you. Atlanta is huge, so you will want to locate each potential apartment to see if its surrounding area suits you. To give you an idea of how diverse Atlanta is, here is an overview of a few popular Atlanta neighborhoods.

• Downtown. This four-square-mile swath houses Atlanta's tallest skyscrapers as well as Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta's financial district. Look for places in SoNo, an up-and-coming area, or historic yet artsy Castleberry Hill. You will find art galleries, boutiques and hip restaurants in the latter.
• West End. Once considered a blighted area, this diverse area now attracts artists and young professionals with its warehouse-lofts. It sits southwest of Downtown.
• Home Park. Home to many Georgia Tech and Georgia University students, this area is seeing property values rise as developers set their sights on this trendy spot.
• Midtown. Famous Atlanta thoroughfare Peachtree Street cuts through this neighborhood, which is known as “Atlanta's Heart of the Arts.” High-rise condos and upscale hotels line the road here. Yet Victorian homes and green parks also dot the area. The area has a vast array of restaurants and bars.
• Inman Park. Once considered Atlanta's first suburb, Inman Park now calls itself “Small Town Downtown.” For decades, Atlantans have been renovating many of the area's Victorian mansions. In 2007 alone there were 300 renovation projects going on here.Again, these are just some of Atlanta's many neighborhoods. Others include Little Five Points, East Atlanta, Grove Park, Cabbagetown, and more. Be sure to read up on any potential neighborhood before jumping in. Information on schools, crime, demographics and more are readily available online.

Weigh the suburbs

They may offer cheaper rent and quieter living, but disadvantages often include long commutes to work and fewer entertainment options. Whether suburban life is for you depends on your lifestyle. 

Consider outside help

Sifting through classifieds for that perfect place is tough even if you know Atlanta. A real estate agent can help you find the perfect apartment area faster than classifieds alone.

Anticipate spending more

You know about moving costs, utility activation fees, and all of the other costs associated with moving. Factor in the fact that Atlanta's cost of living is more than 12% higher than the national average. Give your budget a bit of wiggle room in case of unexpected costs.

Stay optimistic

No matter where your search takes you, be confident that a city as large and diverse as Atlanta has the right apartment in the right place (at the right price) for you.