Apartment Trade-Offs Quiz: Is In-Unit Laundry a Dealbreaker for You?

You found an apartment that checks almost every box, but there’s one catch: no in-unit laundry. No washer. No dryer. Just you, your hamper, and a trip down to the basement (or worse… the laundromat).

For some renters, especially those living in the center of big cities, this is a minor inconvenience. For others, it’s a weekly spiral waiting to happen. So, the real question is: could you actually be happy without a washer and dryer in your apartment?

Take our quick quiz to find out if this trade-off is NBD or a hard no-go for your lifestyle. Be sure to keep track of your answers to see your results at the end!

Quiz: Is In-Unit Laundry a Dealbreaker for You?

1. How often do you do laundry?

• A. Once every couple of weeks (I have a lot of clothes, ok?)
• B. Once a week
• C. Twice a week
• D. Almost daily

2. Your laundry style is:

• A. Small and infrequent loads
• B. One predictable weekly load
• C. Random, and I like it that way
• D. Absolute chaos

3. How would it feel to carry laundry in bad weather?

• A. It’s fine, I’m tough
• B. Manageable with planning
• C. Very annoying
• D. Absolutely not in rain/snow/heat

4. If the laundry room is busy and there are no machines available, you’d:

• A. Come back later
• B. Wait patiently
• C. Feel irritated, but wait anyway
• D. Low-key panic

5. Would you pay for wash-and-fold occasionally?

• A. Yes, happily
• B. During super busy weeks
• C. Only if I were desperate
• D. No way

6. How much time do you realistically have in your week?

• A. Plenty of flexibility
• B. Some wiggle room
• C. Tight schedule
• D. I am constantly busy

7. Can you visit the laundromat during non-peak hours?

• A. I pretty much make my own schedule
• B. I work in the early mornings or at night, but my afternoons are open
• C. I work 9-5, sometimes longer
• D. Normal schedule? Hahaha.

8. Time to pull up your map! How far away is the nearest laundromat?

• A. Less than a block away
• B. Three or fewer blocks away
• C. Over four blocks away
• D. It’s a trek

9. If rent were $150–$300 cheaper without in-unit laundry, would it be worth it?

• A. Yes, absolutely
• B. Probably
• C. Maybe
• D. No

Results:

Mostly A: You can totally live (and probably thrive) with this trade-off. Pocket the savings and spend them on something you'll actually enjoy, like a better location, more space, or a gym membership worth bragging about.

Mostly B: Not your dream setup, but you can handle it. Alternatively, you could put the cost difference toward something you'll appreciate more, like dinners with friends, a bigger travel budget, or finally replacing that couch you've had since college.

Mostly C: This trade-off probably isn't worth it for you. If you're already compromising elsewhere (like a longer commute or less space), pass on this one and narrow your search to apartments with in-unit — or at least in-building — laundry.

Mostly D: This trade-off is a dealbreaker for you. Add it to your “no-go” list and move on.

Like most apartment trade-offs, skipping in-unit laundry comes down to your lifestyle: how often you wash, how busy you are, and whether the cost savings outweigh the added effort.

Before you start touring, imagine your life without in-unit laundry. How far is the nearest laundromat? How much more would it cost to have in-unit laundry? Could you realistically haul a laundry bag down three flights of stairs on a rainy Tuesday night? Having those answers upfront will keep you from falling in love with an apartment that doesn't actually fit your routine.

Already know what amenities you can’t live without? Take our quick quiz to get matched with apartments that fit your real lifestyle.