However, when you dig into the statistics a bit, it turns out that most students — as in 87% of them — have lived off-campus in the past.
Interestingly, only 37% of students lived with their families, while a robust 50%, as in one out of every two students, found housing separate from both the campus and familial options.
If you find yourself amongst the ranks of those that are looking for independent off-campus accommodations, here are a few tips and suggestions to help your search for shelter — and roommates to share it with — go as smoothly as possible.
Consider Your Housing Options
The first thing you should consider is what kind of housing you’re looking for.
Choosing student housing typically revolves around whether you should rent an apartment or a house. Typically an apartment is the simple, straightforward, and most popular option.
However, a house provides greater autonomy and often comes with larger spaces and better amenities.
It can also give you a taste of homeownership if you’re expected to help with things like basic maintenance or lawn care.
Either way, it’s important to consider which option fits your own situation best.
Know What to Look for in a Rental
House or apartment, either way, you want to go into your search with a thorough understanding of what you’re looking for.
This starts with obvious things, such as what you can afford, the distance to the college, and the size of the apartment or house. However, you should also keep a few other things in mind, such as:
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Do you need a kitchen or appliances:
Are you planning on saving money by cooking at home? If so, you’ll want to ensure that your apartment or rental home accommodates this.
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The physical safety of renting an older home:
Things like drafts, leaks, mold, and even lead paint or asbestos tend to be commonly found in older homes. Consider asking if these have been addressed, especially with an older rental.
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Read the lease agreement and understand what is expected of you as the renter:
Make sure that the person in charge of addressing typical homeownership responsibilities — like dealing with pests or addressing faulty plumbing or wiring — is clearly defined.
These are just a few of the basic considerations. Each scenario has many of its own unique items that should be looked for as well as you scout out potential living situations. Make a list and then go over it at each location before you sign on any dotted lines.
Find Good Roommates
Along with identifying a good place to stay, it’s also important that you fill it with the right people. You may find that living on your own in a studio apartment is your ideal situation. However, if you end up finding a two-bedroom apartment or a home that has room for multiple students, you’re going to want to consider getting others to help share the cost with you.
Rather than going the desperate route of finding anyone on Earth who is willing to split the rent, consider the fact that you’re inviting them to cohabitate with you, potentially for years.
Who do you want to share a space with over your time in college? What attributes should they possess? What rules should be willing to follow? As you mull things over, write down a few questions to ask potential candidates, such as:
- What chore duties will a potential roommate be willing to help with?
- How will they be willing to divide, separate, and/or share food and personal items?
- What music and movies do they like to listen to — and how loudly?
- Are they early birds or night owls?
- Do they like to invite people over a lot?
Along with questions for your future roomy, it’s also important to consider your own personal proclivities. It’s never a good idea to lie about your own habits or interests when vetting potential roommates.
In addition, consider what it takes to live with you. Do you like to talk? Are you a quiet introvert? Do you sing in the shower? Remember that living with a roommate is a two-way street.
Other Considerations
Along with these basic considerations, there are a few other things that you don’t want to sneak up on you after you’ve selected a place to live:
- How far from the campus are you?
- Can you walk, bike, or drive there?
- What will it cost you to commute if you keep a car or regularly use a rideshare app?
- How can you maintain your social and personal life while off-campus?
- Can you host in your rental or do you need to participate in social activities elsewhere?
other valuable tips:
Finding Ideal Off-Campus Housing
There are many different factors that go into selecting the best housing for your academic career. However, if you take the time to prepare yourself beforehand, you can go into the process with both eyes open.
Whether you’re deciding between an apartment or a house, interviewing a roommate, or organizing yourself and going over your options, committing to off-campus housing can be well worth your time and money — when done wisely.
Image Credit: finding off-campus housing by envato.com
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