I once new a girl that had a super-spacious apartment in downtown Banff. It was this great character building with huge vaulted ceilings and massive windows. If my memory serves, I believe it even had a clawfoot tub. I loved her apartment — it was gorgeous! She paid a total of $500 per month. I always thought it was the best deal in town, and then I learned that there are quite a few of these great deals around, you’ve just got to know where to look.
Due to the housing shortage in Banff/Canmore, it is quite common for people to take the very first place available for fear that they may be sleeping on the streets if they don’t act quickly. Before you rush into signing a lease, take some time to reflect on how to find the great places in town.
- Prioritize: What do you want? What do you need? What can you not live without? Would you prefer lower rent or private space? Do have have to be near your workplace, or can you walk/ride/bus it to work?
- Review your expections: If you are hoping to find a spacious apartment overlooking the river, with no lease, $600/month, utilities included, that allows pets, and is fully furnished — well, you need to get used to disappointment. Review the Cost of Living for the Bow Valley and set your expectations accordingly.
- Get the word out: Tell everyone you know that you need a place to live — tell your friends, bring it up at the watercooler, tell the guy who is pumping your gas. It’s a small town — the first good lesson to learn is how beneficial word of mouth marketing can be.
- Let Karma prevail: There are landlords that don’t care about money and just want someone responsible to take care of their investment. In return, they rent out some amazing properties for next to nothing. There is no secret to getting in on this sweet deal — be responsible. Have a good credit rating; do well at your job; be a good person; give back to your community; treat others’ property as though it were you own; and, most of all, be a good tenant.
Did using these tips help you find the perfect apartment?
Let us know! We’d love to hear from you!