Or having certain pets. I had to buy in Tampa because no one would rent to me and my Great Dane, regardless of amount I was willing to part with as a pet fee (I offered extra insurance and $1000 and was still declined).
Moreover, talk to the person managing your apartment.
In my apartment (managed by a property management company at that), they allowed me to repaint some walls, bring in three appliances of my own (washer/dryer and dishwasher), completely customize a closet, and replace a light fixture. Took a week for the business manager and corporate to sign off on the modifications, but they felt the requests were entirely reasonable.
This happened because of two reasons: 1) I asked. 2) I agreed to pay a very modest additional deposit for the modifications ($400 total), and used suitably insured vendors of their choosing to have the appliances and light installed (they let me do the closet myself, as the paint with just a $100 deposit to cover changing it back), at a total cost of about $300.
To get this stuff elsewhere I would've paid FAR, FAR more in rent (+$1000-1500/mo, easily). Though I asked, was very reasonable, and made it clear that I wasn't looking to half-ass anything.
At the end of the day the new apartment was a tactical downgrade ($700/mo savings) from where I came from. With the new stuff I got approved I have "broken even" on my changes after 7 months. Now for the next 4-5 years that $700/mo savings just goes in my pocket, the apartment is now barely a downgrade from where I was prior, and I have top-notch appliances that most luxury rentals in the city don't even offer. Moreover, when I move out those appliances come with me -- I should get a good 15-20 total years out of them with proper care.
