Are you looking for an apartment near a university? Whether you’re a parent or a student looking for the perfect off-campus housing, it’s crucial to know the important factors to consider in choosing one.
Off-campus housing provides more freedom, independence, space, and privacy than university housing. Living in private apartments is better for studying due to fewer distractions, and these rooms are usually quieter than dormitories inside the campus. In addition, college students can build their rental history, making it easier for them to get a place after they graduate.
If you’re looking for off-campus housing, check out the important things you need to prioritize below.
Find A Trusted Off-Campus Apartment
University education requires focused learning and a conducive living environment. Student living can be fun and exciting—and very challenging at the same time. Choosing the best living environment for university students makes the adjustment process and transition as smooth as possible.
The university, classrooms, and other school amenities are necessary for students’ growth and learning. This goes the same for their living environment. Their academic and personal growth mostly transpires where they live. In this area, they will develop positive qualities and learn lessons they’ll carry throughout their lives.
So, how do you find the right off-campus housing for you? First off, you can find them on websites like Colonial-house.com, which are already well-established and considered reliable by students and parents alike.
Nonetheless, here are some tips to help you find the best one:
- Read Reviews: You can check different online resources to know what students and parents are saying about the off-campus housing you’re eyeing. Social media and review sites provide valuable information you can use in narrowing down your options when choosing the best apartment.
- Visit The Apartment: If you have time, you can visit the off-campus housing to get a feel of what it would be like to live there. It will also give you an idea of how students remain harmonious in a communal space.
- Learn More About The Apartment: You can check the website of the off-campus housing to learn more about it. It’s crucial to find the best off-campus apartment that can support the student’s learning by forming a culture of love, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
Check The Amenities
The type of amenities the off-campus housing offers will determine your level of convenience. You’d want to stay comfortable and at home in your apartment. Thus, it should be able to provide the basic things you need in a house.
Here are some amenities you’ll need to check when looking for off-campus housing:
- Washer and Dryer: You can save time and effort from hauling your laundry all the way to the local laundry shop by choosing an apartment with a front-load washer and dryer.
- Air Conditioning: Summer can be very hot, so it’s wise to choose an apartment with an air conditioning unit.
- Entertainment Facility: You may want an apartment that offers entertainment facilities such as a smart TV with a built-in digital media player. This way, you can watch any channel using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
- Exercise Room: Students need to stay fit and healthy to balance work and school life. Choosing an apartment complex with exercise rooms exclusive for tenants allows you to perform your workout routines without the need for a gym membership.
- Free Storage: Do you need more storage space to store your things and suitcases for semestral breaks? If yes, look for an apartment that offers free and extra storage.
- Close to Campus: The location of the off-campus housing should be near the university campus. It should be close enough for walking and easy transportation.
Know The Rules
If you want to develop good habits to become a good student, it’s crucial to know the rules enforced by the management. An off-campus housing that enforces strict rules about maintaining peace and order, such as a quiet environment, promotes better learning and restful sleep for students.
Bring The Essentials
Off-campus housing would often require students to bring some essentials that aren’t provided in the apartment building. So, you need to know these items ahead of time and prepare them.
The following are some things students need to bring with them to off-campus housing:
- Kitchen Items: These things include small kitchen appliances, cooking utensils, eating utensils, and a kitchen garbage can.
- Laundry Items: Some examples include laundry detergent, a laundry basket, and steam iron.
- Bedroom Items: These items include bedding, pillows, and a plastic mattress cover.
- Others: These may include cleaning supplies, a toilet plunger, and personal toiletries.
Prioritize The Financial Aspect
Look for off-campus housing that offers flexible payment methods to avoid hassle on your part. Most reputable apartments can receive credit cards, cash, cashier’s check, personal check, and money order. It also helps to ask whether the apartment accepts student financial aid.
It’s good to find an apartment that won’t require a deposit every semester. Ask the landlord if they offer a future contract so you don’t have to pay a hefty amount each semester. Deposit payment only applies to tenants without a future contract.
Consider Your Space
It’s also essential to consider your personal living space. So, you need to know the square foot size of the apartment. Ask the landlord whether you’ll have your own room or if the apartment is shared with a roommate. You can save money with shared apartments because solo apartments are pricier.
If you decide to take a shared apartment, ask how many students live together in one apartment unit. From there, you can decide on which living arrangement you’d prefer.
Request For Maintenance
You need to make sure that you find an apartment with proper maintenance. Ask the property manager how you’ll go about dealing with maintenance issues. A reputable apartment asks tenants to submit a request online or via phone call.
Conclusion
You’re now ready to find the best off-campus housing for the upcoming semester. The priorities listed in this article will help you land the best living space around campus that’s beneficial to your academic journey. This can also make your university life more fun, convenient, and exciting.
Remember that you have to prioritize your academic goals in every decision you have to make during your university life—and that includes the house you’ll live in for a few years.
