What to Look for in Off Campus ApartmentsFurnished ApartmentsUpdated on Jul 13, 2015 View more like this | Visit CORVALLIS, OR | Contact Enrica Clavito |
While finding a student apartment can be a really exciting time for both parent and child, it is not always the easiest time to prepare for. Emotions are often involved as parents have difficulty letting go and children are eager to break free. This leads to situations where decisions are often made in a hurry without careful planning to make sure that the transition goes smoothly. The best way to avoid this problem is to start planning for this new phase in life early on. As they explain at The University Parent,
“Planning should start well in advance of your student’s estimated move date. In some college towns preleasing of rental units starts as early as one year in advance! Start by asking the basic questions to help your student get on the same page as his roommates or housemates.”
These questions might include things like how much money do you have, pets, amenities, and type of lease you need.
Location
You also want to carefully select the best location to look for an apartment. It is probably best to travel to the university city well ahead of time so you can become familiar with the different neighborhoods in the town. Take special note of those that are within walking distance of the campus. While you may want to take someone else with you to get their feedback on which location will work best for you, keep in mind that you are the one that will have to live there. If you don’t feel comfortable or you don’t like it for any reason, it may be best to let that apartment go for something that you believe you can actually live in.
Make Your Budget
You also want to know exactly how much money you’re going to need to live. This will help you to single out those apartments that may be out of your price range. It can be very tempting to look at a place and then realize you can’t afford it. Better not to look at the place at all so you won’t be disappointed. As they explain at OffCampus.Osu.Edu,
“Learning how to budget during college is one of the most important skills a student can master. Whether you are living on campus, commuting, or a part-time student, developing a plan to fit your needs is essential.”
The sooner you start working on this phase of your student life the easier things will be.
Safety
You also have to be concerned about your safety while you’re at school. Make sure that not only is the apartment you’re considering secure but the building and complex also offers you the kind of security you need. Check to see if there is enough lighting both inside and outside the apartment; make sure that the security gate is secure and that other tenants aren’t leaving it open for non-tenants to come in. And you want to make sure that the noise level is under control.
Another important factor to consider when thinking of the safety of your new home is the neighborhood. You can always check with the local police department to get the latest crime reports so that you can decide which areas are at a higher risk than others.
Take Your Time
There is good reason why you want to start early on your apartment search. The earlier you start, the less stress you’ll feel while looking for the right place to live. Mistakes often happen when you’re rushed and you don’t want to start your school year off with a bad decision on where you will be living. It can affect your studies more than you know. Take the advice of Off Campus UFL,
“It can be an exciting experience to choose your future home! Also, tour 4-5 properties before you sign a lease for a property that you’ve not toured in person.”
Since for most university students, it will be their first time searching for an apartment, it is advisable that you get extra help to walk you through the paces and take even more time than you might normally. By taking the extra time and taking advantage of wiser, more experienced people to help you, you’ll be able to find a great place to spread your wings and fly solo while you’re at university.
“Planning should start well in advance of your student’s estimated move date. In some college towns preleasing of rental units starts as early as one year in advance! Start by asking the basic questions to help your student get on the same page as his roommates or housemates.”
These questions might include things like how much money do you have, pets, amenities, and type of lease you need.
Location
You also want to carefully select the best location to look for an apartment. It is probably best to travel to the university city well ahead of time so you can become familiar with the different neighborhoods in the town. Take special note of those that are within walking distance of the campus. While you may want to take someone else with you to get their feedback on which location will work best for you, keep in mind that you are the one that will have to live there. If you don’t feel comfortable or you don’t like it for any reason, it may be best to let that apartment go for something that you believe you can actually live in.
Make Your Budget
You also want to know exactly how much money you’re going to need to live. This will help you to single out those apartments that may be out of your price range. It can be very tempting to look at a place and then realize you can’t afford it. Better not to look at the place at all so you won’t be disappointed. As they explain at OffCampus.Osu.Edu,
“Learning how to budget during college is one of the most important skills a student can master. Whether you are living on campus, commuting, or a part-time student, developing a plan to fit your needs is essential.”
The sooner you start working on this phase of your student life the easier things will be.
Safety
You also have to be concerned about your safety while you’re at school. Make sure that not only is the apartment you’re considering secure but the building and complex also offers you the kind of security you need. Check to see if there is enough lighting both inside and outside the apartment; make sure that the security gate is secure and that other tenants aren’t leaving it open for non-tenants to come in. And you want to make sure that the noise level is under control.
Another important factor to consider when thinking of the safety of your new home is the neighborhood. You can always check with the local police department to get the latest crime reports so that you can decide which areas are at a higher risk than others.
Take Your Time
There is good reason why you want to start early on your apartment search. The earlier you start, the less stress you’ll feel while looking for the right place to live. Mistakes often happen when you’re rushed and you don’t want to start your school year off with a bad decision on where you will be living. It can affect your studies more than you know. Take the advice of Off Campus UFL,
“It can be an exciting experience to choose your future home! Also, tour 4-5 properties before you sign a lease for a property that you’ve not toured in person.”
Since for most university students, it will be their first time searching for an apartment, it is advisable that you get extra help to walk you through the paces and take even more time than you might normally. By taking the extra time and taking advantage of wiser, more experienced people to help you, you’ll be able to find a great place to spread your wings and fly solo while you’re at university.
