What Gen Y Wants in an Apartment in Hilton Head and beyond

What Gen Y Wants in an Apartment

Posted on June 18, 2013 by sharper courtesy of Apartmentguide.com

Take note of these new amenity trends designed to make you feel like you’re living on Easy Street. It’s not just what’s cooler, faster, or flashier… young people want practical, too! Find your perfect apartment, now! Generation Y renters have a fresh take on apartment living and aren’t wowed by passé perks. Poolside grills and covered parking are just the start of what they expect from a hip apartment community, according to industry insiders like Multifamily Executive Magazine.

On-the-move Millennials are on the lookout for practical, modern amenities that actually make living in a place easier. Here are some of the most popular amenities which appeal to a younger crowd of apartment renters.

According to a study by Multifamily Executive, Millennials ranked amenities like reliable, speedy internet performance and cell phone reception high on their list of key requirements for apartment living. Renters these days are looking for Cat-5 wiring and community-wide wireless network connections. Built-in iPod docking stations and charging panels are a given. In a world where landlines are no longer relevant, keeping mobile devices wired and ready is essential.

Necessities nearby

With green living growing in popularity, Gen Y is concerned about their carbon footprint, and they prefer to live closer to the places they work and play. That’s why location tops the list as one of the main, practical amenities they’re on the lookout for. Apartments with retail shops on-site or nearby are very appealing, as well as conveniences like dog parks and upscale wellness centers. Future renters scope out a community in advance to make sure their favorite restaurants, grocery stores, banks and entertainment hot spots are situated in close proximity.

Live-work lounges

Gen Y apartment dwellers want to live beyond the walls of their own apartment units. In the past, a clubhouse with a few computers would suffice, but now renters are searching for Starbucks-like cyber cafes where they can work on laptops alongside their neighbors. Whether it’s noisy roommates or a quiet studio apartment which drive them to live and work in the lounge, the new generation enjoys social connections both in person and online.

Cutting-edge amenities

Not every option veers to the practical; some are all about luxury. The needs and wants of students are driving the latest amenities in apartment community living. Laser light shows enliven pool and shared spaces, setting a modern mood you might find in a high-end hotel. Fitness centers with the very latest in interactive technology are rivaling independent, off-site options. An immersive 3D golf simulation designed for a community’s theatre room is an engaging option.

Media-savvy management

Millennials want to be able to tweet, message and friend their neighbors as they communicate from the comfort of their own apartments, as well. A non-traditional amenity that’s making the list lately is an on-site community manager who knows how to employ media tools to help residents stay connected and accomplish practical tasks. Mobile rent payment is a must-have, as is the ability to place service requests via community social media sites. Tech-smart apartment communities may even run their own local apps to connect residents. If you are on the market for a new apartment, make note of these new amenity trends that are designed to make you feel like you’re living on Easy Street. Even when your highest priority is a certain rental price range or a great location, extras like these can make certain apartment communities stand out from the rest.