Day: July 12, 2021

Looking for the perfect off campus housing? You’re not alone. About 87% of students live in off campus housing according to a New York Times article published in 2016. For anyone attending school and living off campus, location is the most important thing when apartment hunting. Here’s why.

Transportation

There may be many beautiful apartments available, but with one catch — they’re too out of the way, and getting to classes becomes a hassle. Imagine getting to work tired because of a lengthy commute and then having to do it again at the end of the day. This can even end up affecting your concentration in class and your lifestyle.

Ideally, you’ll want somewhere that only requires taking one bus and a relatively short journey. Living in an area where you can easily get to class and where you can get around easily can cut down plenty of time for you, which is an important factor if you want an efficient schedule.

Amenities

As a student, you’ll also want a vibrant social life to help you relax in between study hours. That means you’ll probably prefer somewhere with a lot of cafes, restaurants, and other local hotspots where you can hang out with friends.

So, when apartment hunting, it’s worth it to explore the area to find out if the neighborhood vibes are on point. It’s best to explore the area both during the day and night to get the full picture of what the whole neighborhood is like. While you’re out and about, be sure to search for great amenities. Also, figure out if you would want to live in a noisy area, such as a place where there’s a nightclub.

Lifestyle Adaptation

Overall, finding the right location for off campus housing can determine how your lifestyle ends up looking. In most instances, you’ll likely not want to move to a location that requires you to alter your lifestyle too drastically. For instance, if you’re an extremely social person, you may not fit well in a quiet neighborhood where there’s little to do.

As you can see, the area where you find your off campus housing can make or break your student experience. However, finding the perfect apartment that suits your lifestyle and needs doesn’t have to be a hassle. You can enlist the services of a reputable real estate company to help you with your apartment hunting, so you can get the best experience in between classes.

Finding the perfect apartment shouldn’t be a hit and miss if you know what to look for. Fortunately, we have rounded up the top factors to consider when hunting for an apartment that’s right for you. Let’s get started.

Pricing

Pricing is an important factor to all renters, especially those who are starting out. The Rental Protection Agency says that about 40.6% of renters in the U.S. are those between the ages of 15 and 34. If you’re part of this age group, you’re probably living on a budget and want an apartment that’s decent and affordable. Therefore, it pays to do your research and find out the cost of apartments in the area you’re looking at. From there, you should consider whether to look elsewhere, find roommates, or negotiate the price.

Overall Conditions

It’s normal for property owners to post beautiful pictures of their apartments online. However, in some cases, the reality may be different. Before you pay rent or make a deposit, it’s up to you to arrange a viewing so you can see everything up close. During your inspection, look out for common problem areas, such as leaky faucets, bug and rodent infestations, broken AC, damaged roof, broken stuff, and mold. Talk to the landlord or property manager to see how they plan to deal with the problem and make it clear you’ll only move in after the problem is fixed.

The Landlord/Property Manager

Your renting experience is always a smooth and pleasant one if you have a great landlord. Besides viewing the apartment, be sure to meet the landlord in person to get a feel of what they’re like. If there are already other tenants living there, if possible, ask them what the landlord is like. Ideally, you want a landlord with good ethics, who respects boundaries, and who is reliable when emergencies occur.

The Neighborhood

Your apartment may seem perfect for you, but if it’s in the wrong kind of neighborhood, then this may be a problem. For instance, if there’s a high crime rate, it’s best to eye other apartments to protect your safety. You should also investigate neighborhood factors such as whether there’s enough parking or access to amenities such as shops, gyms, and a laundromat.

Browsing apartments in search of a place to live can be time-consuming and a hassle, but it pays off once you find the perfect one. Keep the above factors in your mind during your search, and good luck!