It’s that time of year again: The time we all frantically tell our landlords that no, we aren’t coming back, and we all begin scouring the Interwebs for our dream pads. The hunt for the perfect apartment seems like it will never end— until it does.
Every once in awhile, the gods of rental properties smile upon us and grant us that 900 square-foot place with two bathrooms and a built-in kegerator (a girl can dream, right?). To get an idea of how much we all value snagging that dream apartment, Rent. surveyed 1,000 renters ages 18-34 to see what they’d prefer: The perfect new place, or something else of supreme value. Curious about how your peers responded? Read on.
Ice Cream
We’ll start with the basics. 58% of female respondents (and 47% of males) said the perfect pad is superior to ice cream sundaes. They’ve obviously never been to Dairy Queen, but I digress. Apartments last longer, and they don’t have any calories.
A Promotion
Interestingly enough, 13% of men say a great new place is better than getting a big promotion at work. Only 6% of women did, though. In my opinion, this very much depends on what kind of promotion we’re talking about. And does the apartment come with a dishwasher … ?
Free Drinks
43% of respondents say they’d rather find the perfect apartment than get free drinks, though this isn’t entirely surprising. “Free drinks” is usually synonymous with an undesired conversation with a guy or girl who wants your attention or drinking with your boss. Both are awkward and make you wish you’d just bought the drink yourself. Time is money, people.
A Surprise Party
Ah, and then the always-divisive surprise party. Some people love these acts of unsolicited thoughtfulness, while others actively hate people jumping out from behind the furniture in the dark. Either way, 41% say they’d forgo a surprise party for the ideal new apartment. I’d definitely agree.
Concert Tickets
27% of respondents said they’d rather get a killer new place than get free tickets to see their favorite artist. Yes, even tix to see Queen Bey. There’s something to be said for long-term gratification, and unfortunately, none of those things are “Surfboart.”
Vacation
Suuuure, lounging on the beach in Mexico with all-inclusive guacamole at your side is great. But snagging that apartment with the random wine fridge and central air is even better. (Bonus points if you found a balcony to sip that wine on.) In the Rent. survey, 17% agreed.
Sex (?!)
And get this: More than 1 in 10 respondents (12%, to be exact) said that finding the perfect apartment is better than sex. (Um, I’ll live where she’s living, please.) Although 24% of people who find a new apartment celebrate by “christening” it– so it looks like you can have the best of both worlds, folks. As I always say, why pick?
Regardless of your own opinion on the matter, we can all agree that finding the perfect apartment is pretty sweet– especially if it means we don’t have to ask our parents to help us move and run the risk of them seeing the contents of our bedside tables yet again. Or is it just me?
According to a Rent. survey of 1,000 U.S. Renters ages 18-34.
