Between the stress of finding the perfect, yet affordable (and pet friendly, of course) apartment and searching for sane roommates, it always seemed like a great idea to check Pinterest instead of floor plans. But now that it’s January, time is running out to snag a decent lease. So if you didn’t start your search way back when you could wear Daisy Dukes without freezing your butt off, here’s your guide to off-campus living!
Know What You Want
If you don’t know where to start looking, you’ll end up with a serious headache instead of a new place. So do some thinking and know what you want before you’re knee-deep in open houses.
Do you want to bring along Duke the bulldog? Some places allow even large pets for an additional fee and security deposit. Do you care about smoking restrictions? Ask a landlord for details on their policies. Do you want ECL quiet, or a party scene? Make sure to ask around and notice where all the parties are before move-in.
Know how many bedrooms you’re looking for, and how close you need to be to the quad. Decide on a house, townhome, condo or apartment. Gas gets expensive, so keep that in mind and make sure your place has a bus stop or two.
Compare Prices
Sure, that townhome with the all-leather furniture may look nice, but it will do some major damage to your wallet. Your financial aid package may decrease if you choose to live off-campus. So if perks like hot tubs and expensive furniture aren’t a major concern, go with a less costly option like The Mill or Squire Hill.
Ground-floor apartments are almost always the cheapest options, but at this point, most are filled. If you settle on an apartment, know that the “prices starting at…” claims refer to ground-floor rooms, so you’ll probably have to pay more (usually $100 – $200 extra per year).
Not all off-campus options have utilities included in the rent, so ask which utilities (if any) are included, and factor that in to what you’ll actually have to pay every month.
Scope it out Before Signing
That condo may sound sweet in those glossy brochures that flood Warren, but definitely check out the space in person before committing to anything. Do your research before going to an open house or scheduling an appointment to avoid overlooking an important detail. It may not feel right to you when you arrive, so don’t just take a friend’s word without seeing it for yourself. If you already know who you’ll be living with, go together and make a day out of it.
Avoid Having a Crazy Roommate
Don’t give up yet! It’s still possible to have the perfect living situation if you’re quick about it. It can be stressful, but try to make it fun. Remember, it’s just one more exciting step to being a truly independent woman!