I started thinking about what really matters when you are looking for a place to rent in Leesburg Florida. This list could probably be applied to almost any location, but here are some of the things that a person might consider as being important.

• Can you afford the rent? It's really important to know for sure that you can afford the rent so you don't find yourself in financial trouble. Read, "how much can you afford in monthly rent," to find out the maximum you should consider spending each month for rent. Your situation also dictates what you can afford to spend. If you know that you have a lot of expenses (student loans, car payments, credit card payments, etc), you shouldn't consider spending the maximum listed for rent - spend less.

• Can you live within the conditions of the lease? Some places have more rules than others. For this reason, it's really important to read over and understand what's in your lease. If the place you'll be renting is within a homeowners or a condo association, you'll be bound by their rules as well. Check out, "what questions should I ask before signing a lease," for ideas of what you need to know.

• Is this the place you're looking for? If you know you need a two bedroom, don't settle for a one bedroom and make someone sleep on the couch! If you know you wanted to live in a community that has amenities like a pool, don't settle for not having what you want if it's out there and is affordable. Think about, "what features matter most to you," before you rent.

• What's nearby? There are certain things that I look for in a home whether I rent or I own. I look at how close it is to the nearest supermarkets - our Leesburg rental properties are within 3 miles of the Publix Supermarket at Palm Plaza, 4 miles of the Super Walmart in Leesburg (open 24 hours a day), 4.5 miles of the Publix at Lake Deaton Plaza in the Villages, and 6 miles of the Publix at Lake Harris and the Winn Dixie right next door. Emergencies happen, so I like to know how far I'd be to the nearest hospital - the Leesburg Regional Medical Center is within 3 miles, Orlando Health South Lake Hospital ER is within 11.5 miles, The Villages Regional Hospital is within 12.5 miles, and AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares is within 13.5 miles. I also look for nearby Urgent Care locations - there is Leesburg Regional Medical Center's Urgent Care within 3 miles, Concentra Leesburg within 3.5 miles, Centra Care Leesburg where you can schedule appointments or walk-in within 4 miles, and Express Care of Leesburg within 4 miles. I'm also interested in places to have fun near where I live - check out 30 Fun Activities in Lake County - Bowling, Movies, & Attractions or Why Live in Lake County Florida for ideas of what to do nearby.

• Is there public transportation available? If you don't drive, I'm sure this is something on your mind. Not far from my Leesburg rentals at Royal Oak Estates, LakeXpress has buses that run on Mondays through Fridays but not on the weekends or federal holidays. If you click and take a look at Route 2 - City of Leesburg, you'll see that there are pickups scheduled hourly from 6:32 am - 6:32 pm in front of Oak Park Middle School. That's within a mile of the entrance to Royal Oak.

• Is it secure? I've always been a fan of gated communities. They provide an added layer of security besides what you can provide on your own. Make sure the place you are looking at is safe and secure.

I don't know about you, but I hate having to move. By spending time finding the best place to rent in Leesburg Florida or elsewhere, you can eliminate finding yourself needing to move as soon as your lease is up. Take the time to figure out if the place you are considering is the right one for you. Good luck in your search!

Looking for a Lake County rental in a gated community with great amenities like a pool, exercise facility, and more? Check out www.leesburg4rent.com when it's time to find a new place.