Make sure it is close to transportation and shopping, especially if you have to use public transportation. Once you have narrowed down your choices, you can make an appointment to view the apartment with the landlord, agent or representative by calling the number of the appropriate contact. Be on time for your appointment, and call ahead if you need to cancel. In general in the U.S. it is better to call than to simply miss an appointment. Compile a mental or written list of problems you see need fixing.
Many apartments have buzzers or doormen for security.
In some cities like San Francisco, it is nearly impossible to park on the street. After going through your checklist, if you decide you still want the apartment but want to negotiate any repairs, you may give the landlord a list of things you would like to have fixed. If the apartment market is very tight, you may want to hold off on certain items until later in order to increase your chances of getting the apartment. Even in this type of market, make sure you look at least two or three different apartments before settling on one that's less than ideal. This may end up costing you money, time and possible legal battles down the line, Use your gut to weed out future problems.