Transforming Your Off-Campus Apartment Into A Homey Paradise

new apartmentApproximately 33% of renters move every year; this behavior is especially common among college students, most of whom live in off campus apartments. When you’re constantly packing up and relocating, turning that simple student rental unit into a home can be quite difficult. Whether you’re moving into student housing or a brand-spankin’ new apartment across the city, you’re going to want to make that space your own; here are a few tips to get you started.

  • Pictures, pictures, and more pictures: Home is defined by personalization. The best way you can bring some life to your home is to bring your life into your home; hang or post as many pictures as you want of your family, friends, or pets to make you feel comforted on those lonely days. In fact, it’s a good idea to fill up your walls entirely with things that you love. From posters to tapestries, the place will begin to feel warmer and more inviting almost immediately.
  • Create a cozy spot: College students spend a great amount of time studying. Rather than sequestering yourself away in a dark corner of your campus library, or sitting at your uncomfortable kitchen table, you can create a cozy nook specifically dedicated to academics; whether you decide to pick up your textbook or your favorite novel, you’ll find yourself feeling more at home by the minute.
  • Add plants: Indoor plants have been proven to improve mood. Not only do they provide an inexpensive way to decorate your space, but they can act as companions for those moments when you just need to think out loud. Find the varieties that are hard to kill (such as succulents) and you’ll be feeling calm in no time.
  • Accessorize your bed: For most people (college students especially), their bed is their favorite place. Since home is almost entirely about comfort — as your cozy spot has proven — your bed should be extra comfy! Invest in a new duvet or comforter, some fluffy throw pillows, and maybe even a few stuffed animals. Add a small bedside table for books or before-bed snacks, and you’ve got a perfect place to snuggle up.

Once you really get into the decorating swing of things, you’ll find that your new apartment — no matter how temporary it is — feels like home. With just a few personal touches, the transformation can be profound. Before long, you’ll find yourself truly relaxing in a space all your own.

Preparing Your New Apartment For A Canine Companion

new apartment

new apartmentToday’s young people love to rent. Studies have found that 65% of households headed by those under the age of 35 were renting — a 57% increase from the previous decade. Although many are students interested in living off campus, a great number of new apartments are going to individuals who have graduated and are firmly established in their lives; the next logical step, of course, would be to get a pet!

Provided you’re able to find pet friendly housing options, you’ll need to get your new space ready for your new companion. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can pet-proof and prepare your apartment for a dog.

  • Get a dog bed. Your new pup will be spending even more time in your apartment than you; he or she should have their own space. By placing a dog bed in the main room (or buying multiple and putting them wherever you hang out the most), your dog will truly begin to feel at home. Unless you’re comfortable with puppy fur all over your own bed and other furniture, dog beds are a perfect way to tackle two problems at once!
  • Replace your trash bins. Dogs are notoriously nosey — literally. Their keen sense of smell can give them a direct line to the garbage, and sometimes (most times) the temptation is too much to resist. To ensure your puppy isn’t getting into the trash and eating something that could make them sick, replace all the bins in your apartment with lidded options.
  • Pet-proof the whole apartment. Pet proofing is as serious as childproofing, especially for those pups that seem to have a genius-level intellect. This includes getting a puppy gate, putting away loose, within-reach cosmetics, and being incredibly strict with open food. If your dog has a reputation for being where they shouldn’t be, go the extra mile and invest in child-proof locks to guard cabinets containing cleaning products.

Finding quality apartments for rent is the hard part — and you’ve already done it! Making your new apartment cozy and safe for a canine companion is as easy as it is fun; before you know it, Fido will be curled up by your side and as happy in his new home as you are.

Find the Best Student Rental for Your Needs

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student rentalRenting your home is one of the oldest ways or providing a roof over ones head. Even in ancient times, people rented, and the tradition continues today. As a matter of fact, in America, about 27% of citizens rented their home in 2016. Among the largest growing groups of people are students. Students come in all shapes, sizes and ages. Regardless of their background or their reason for going to school, they need a place to live. Because a student is most likely going to be in the area near their school for a limited amount of time, renting is usually the way to go. Student rental can benefit the renter in several ways.

Stay Close to Your School and Pay Less

The room and board rates are going up as fast as—or faster than—tuition rates. The cost of living increases for a few different reasons. One, the cost of building increases on a yearly basis. Therefore, those who build dorms can justify rental rate hikes easily. Also, sometimes schools desire to attract a certain type of clientele, aka student, to their school. Building more expensive dorms is a way to get higher paying students into their classrooms—and into their alumni database. While this is great for the school and its benefactors, it hurts regular students who don’t have the means to pay higher dorm rental fees. Student rental near the campus is a great way to offset this potentially huge cost.

You can shop around to find the best rates or contact an agent or company that specifically deals with real estate for students. Rental units for student will vary in price, of course, but that doesn’t mean they are out of your reach. You just have to set your budget, stick to that range, and find the right pool of student rental options to choose from. Consider this your first foray into real estate. Student housing is always at a premium, but you can get ahead of the game if you arm yourself with the right resources to locate the best housing for your needs.

Stay Closer to Study Groups with the Right Student Rental

While you may have access to a car or feel comfortable riding public transportation, being far away from campus can preclude the possibility of joining or participating in study groups. You want to be a resource for your fellow students. Study groups are also a great place to make new connections that may prove valuable when you need to network in the future. Therefore, spending a little time finding student rental choices that are relatively close to campus can be time well-spent. Access to study groups will make you a better partner and result in higher grades and better impressions with other students. Everything will combine to a more rewarding college experience.

A Student Rental that Fits Your Needs Is Important

Not any student rental is going to be the one for you, however. A new apartment can be exciting, but you don’t want the excitement to momentarily cloud your judgment. Make a list of what you need, the bare minimum, from a rental. Include location, ease of access to transportation, proximity to other students, where the nearest grocery store or coffee shop is, etc. But also make a list of “wants” that you would like but could probably live without. Make this list guide your decision-making process. One of your most pressing needs is going to be the kind of privacy you get. If you need a lot of privacy, you will want to choose student housing that affords you your own room. Or perhaps, you just need a good place to study but don’t mind sharing a room with a roommate. In that case, you will want to locate space for lease that has a study nook that can give you the enclave you need to properly immerse yourself in your work.

Regardless of the rental you decide to go with, you will want to make sure not just your studies, but your overall sense of comfort is prioritized. This will be where you live, sleep, laugh, relax and have fun. It will also be one of your most major expenditures, so take your time and choose a student rental that works for you.