Apartment Rentals – Video Lesson

Back to In the Community | Back to Apartment Rentals

Pre-Listening

Step 2: Discussion Questions (5 minutes)

Pair up or work in small groups to discuss the following:

What do you think makes an apartment “ideal” for someone?
What factors might people consider when choosing a place to live?
Have you ever used online tools to find housing? If not, what other strategies might work?

Step 3: Prediction Activity (5 minutes)

Before listening to the interview, predict answers to these questions:

What online tools might the speakers mention for finding apartments?
What challenges could someone face if they don’t own a car?
Why might a good apartment not be listed on popular websites?

Vocabulary and Expressions From the Video

walkability (noun): the ease of walking to places like stores, schools, or work.
– The walkability of this neighborhood is very high, so we don’t need a car.
– A good walkability score can make life more convenient for residents.
reputation (noun): the general opinion people have about the quality or character of something.
– That apartment complex has a great reputation for being clean and quiet.
– It’s important to check the reputation of a landlord before signing a lease.
vehicle (noun): something used for transporting people or goods, especially a car, bus, or truck.
– If you don’t own a vehicle, you need to live near public transportation.
– The parking lot is full of different kinds of vehicles.
search (verb): to look for something.
– She used several websites to search for the perfect apartment.
– We need to search carefully for an affordable place to live.
list (verb): to include something in a group or category for others to see.
– Many landlords list their apartments on popular rental websites.
– They didn’t list their property because it already has a long waitlist.

A walkability score indicates how easy it is to walk to essential places, such as grocery stores, schools, parks, and public transit. It typically ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a more walkable area.

Score Ranges and Interpretation:

90–100: Walker’s Paradise – Most errands can be done on foot. Ideal for those without a car.
70–89: Very Walkable – Many errands can be accomplished on foot, but some may require driving or public transit.
50–69: Somewhat Walkable – Walking is possible for some errands, but a car or public transit is often necessary.
25–49: Car-Dependent – Most errands require driving or public transit, with few options within walking distance.
0–24: Highly Car-Dependent – Virtually all errands require a car. Walking is not practical for daily needs.

This score is helpful for renters to evaluate whether they can live comfortably without relying heavily on a vehicle. For example, someone who doesn’t own a car would likely prefer a score above 70.

Listen and Read: Listen and answer the questions.

Transcript:

Randall: In this video, Aubrey, let’s talk about apartment rentals. How do you go about finding the ideal place? What are some tips?

Aubrey: Yeah, so there are a few different things that you can do. There are lots of different online applications you can use to search for apartment rentals. When you’re looking for a place to live, a good thing to know is where are you working in relation to where you’re living or do you have a car? A lot of these websites will have walkability scores.

Randall: Oh, Okay.

Aubrey: So [if you] do not currently have a vehicle, you’ll want to keep in mind how easy it’s going to be to get to and from the places you need to get to with public transportation. Another thing to do is to reach out to people you know in the area, see if they are aware of apartments that have good reputations, because if you have a place that has a good reputation, they might not list in some of these sites

Randall: Right.

Aubrey: . . . . because they have wait lists. So you’re going to want to contact them directly to get on a waiting list.

Randall: All right. Well, thank you very much for those tips.

Discussion

Intermediate Level

According to the interview, why is it important to consider walkability when looking for an apartment?
What are two strategies Aubrey mentions for finding a good apartment?

Advanced Level

How might someone’s personal circumstances, such as owning a car or working remotely, influence their choice of apartment?
Do you think reaching out to friends and contacts is a reliable way to find housing? Why or why not?

Classroom Activity: The Great Apartment Hunt

Objective: To apply listening comprehension skills, practice decision-making, and engage in collaborative problem-solving based on the content of the interview.

Activity Steps

Preparation (5 minutes)

Divide the class into small groups of 3–4 students.
Provide each group with a hypothetical profile of a renter (e.g., a single college student, a family of four, a professional without a car).

Listening Review (5 minutes)

Play the interview again and ask groups to take notes on the key points Aubrey mentions about finding an apartment.
Highlight important considerations like walkability, public transportation, and reputation.

Apartment Search Simulation (15 minutes)

Provide each group with a list of fictional apartment options. Each apartment includes details such as location, price, walkability score, transportation access, and reputation.
Groups must analyze the options and choose the most suitable apartment for their renter profile.

Presentation and Debate (10 minutes)

Each group presents their choice to the class, explaining their reasoning.
Other groups can ask questions or challenge their decision based on the information from the interview.

Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes)

Discuss as a class:
- What was the most challenging part of making the decision?
- How did the information from the interview influence your choices?
- Are there other factors you think should be considered when renting an apartment?

10 Hypothetical Renters

1. Sophia (Single, Software Developer)
  - Income: $70,000/year
  - Pets: None
  - Interests: Prefers high-speed internet, close to tech meetups and cafes.
2. Jake and Maria (Married, High School Teachers)
  - Income: $90,000/year combined
  - Pets: One medium-sized dog
  - Interests: Needs outdoor space for the dog and proximity to good schools.
3. Alex (Single Parent, Retail Manager)
  - Income: $45,000/year
  - Pets: None
  - Interests: Needs a safe neighborhood and a short commute to work.
4. Tom and Sarah (Married, College Students)
  - Income: $30,000/year combined (part-time work)
  - Pets: None
  - Interests: Looks for affordable rent near campus and public transportation.
5. Emma (Single, Freelance Writer)
  - Income: $50,000/year
  - Pets: One cat
  - Interests: Quiet area, lots of natural light, and a space for a home office.
6. Daniel (Single, Construction Worker)
  - Income: $55,000/year
  - Pets: None
  - Interests: Prefers a place with parking for his truck and close to work sites.
7. Leila and Ahmed (Married with Two Kids, Marketing Specialist & Nurse)
  - Income: $120,000/year combined
  - Pets: None
  - Interests: Needs a three-bedroom apartment near hospitals and daycare centers.
8. Chris (Single, Bartender and Aspiring Musician)
  - Income: $35,000/year
  - Pets: None
  - Interests: Needs a place near nightlife and space to store musical equipment.
9. Mia (Retired, Former Teacher)
  - Income: $40,000/year (pension)
  - Pets: One small dog
  - Interests: Quiet neighborhood, access to parks, and nearby community activities.
10. Liam and Olivia (Engaged, Entrepreneurs)
  - Income: $100,000/year combined
  - Pets: None
  - Interests: Prefer a trendy neighborhood with coworking spaces and cafes nearby.

Fictional Apartment Options

Maple Grove Apartments
- Location: Suburbs, 20 minutes from downtown
- Price: $1,200/month (1-bedroom), $1,600/month (2-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 50/100
- Transportation Access: Limited public transit, ample parking
- Reputation: Family-friendly, quiet community, older facilities
Cityview Lofts
- Location: Downtown, near nightlife and offices
- Price: $2,000/month (studio), $2,800/month (1-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 95/100
- Transportation Access: Excellent public transit, no parking included
- Reputation: Trendy but noisy, modern amenities
Willow Creek Estates
- Location: Near a park and community center in the suburbs
- Price: $1,800/month (2-bedroom), $2,200/month (3-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 70/100
- Transportation Access: Bus routes nearby, free parking
- Reputation: Great for families, pet-friendly
Urban Heights Apartments
- Location: Close to a university and coworking spaces
- Price: $1,400/month (studio), $1,800/month (1-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 90/100
- Transportation Access: Excellent public transit, paid parking
- Reputation: Popular with students and young professionals, minor maintenance issues
Pinewood Residences
- Location: Small town, 45 minutes from the city
- Price: $1,000/month (1-bedroom), $1,400/month (2-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 40/100
- Transportation Access: No public transit, large parking lot
- Reputation: Affordable and spacious, limited social opportunities
Riverview Towers
- Location: Near a hospital and daycare center
- Price: $2,300/month (3-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 75/100
- Transportation Access: Decent public transit, parking available for a fee
- Reputation: Well-maintained, long waitlist
Oakwood Studios
- Location: Arts district with galleries and music venues nearby
- Price: $1,500/month (studio), $2,000/month (1-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 85/100
- Transportation Access: Good public transit, limited parking
- Reputation: Vibrant and artistic, occasional noise complaints
Golden Meadows Apartments
- Location: Retirement community near parks and a senior center
- Price: $1,200/month (1-bedroom), $1,500/month (2-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 65/100
- Transportation Access: Shuttle services available, free parking
- Reputation: Quiet, welcoming to retirees
Lakefront Apartments
- Location: Waterfront property with recreational facilities nearby
- Price: $1,600/month (1-bedroom), $2,100/month (2-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 60/100
- Transportation Access: Few bus routes, free parking included
- Reputation: Pet-friendly, well-maintained, scenic views
Cedar Point Apartments
- Location: Industrial area with easy access to highways
- Price: $1,200/month (studio), $1,500/month (1-bedroom)
- Walkability Score: 55/100
- Transportation Access: Minimal public transit, ample parking
- Reputation: Affordable and functional, limited local amenities

Back to In the Community | Back to Apartment Rentals