College Living: 5 Factors Every Student Should Consider

Whether you’ll be moving from home or escaping the cramped living quarters of your university’s dormitories, transitioning to college apartments is an important step to achieving a greater level of independence. If you’re going off to college for the first time, choosing a college apartment is just one of the many college living adjustments you will have to make. Having a strategy to narrow down your apartment choices is crucial.

A crucial factor in your decision making process is obviously the apartment location and choosing which of your friends will make a good roommate. However, there are several other factors that need to be considered, before you sign the lease for your new apartment.

Five Factors to Consider When Choosing a College Apartment

1. Know yourself. Before you commit to a living arrangement, you need to know how you will function in different situations. If you have trouble motivating yourself to study, then it’s probably best to avoid rooming with friends that share the same traits of procrastination. You may also want to stay away from apartments situated within the hub of the town’s nightlife scene, lest you be tempted to ditch the books for some pints at a nearby bar.
2. Have your deposit ready. At the beginning of each semester, there are a large number of college students on the hunt for an apartment. It’s a sad, but true fact that money talks in these situations. Even if you’ve expressed an interest in a particular apartment, the landlord won’t hold your spot until you’ve put in your deposit. Otherwise, it’s very likely that another applicant will come along and sign the lease.
3. Know your neighbors. Not only nearby residents, but the neighborhood as a whole. This doesn’t mean you have to interrogate everyone you see. Just be friendly and speak with your potential neighbors to get a sense of the area. It also doesn’t hurt to ask about any nighttime activity that occurs, whether it’s student parties or criminal activity, you’ll want to know to ensure your safety and piece of mind. If you can, talk with a previous tenant before signing your new lease.
4. Survey the location. Once you’re certain the apartment is in a secure location, you’ll need to ascertain how convenient it’s to campus, shopping and dining. Obviously, rentals in close proximity to your university or other primary locations can come at a higher cost. It’s fine if you don’t want to spend a fortune to rent a flat on the campus lawn. You might want to consider whether key locations in your town are accessible by foot from your apartment. Even if you own a car, you never know when an emergency will strike, or you simply run out of gas, and need to make ambulatory voyages.
5. Understand your lease. As with any legal document, rental leases can seem verbose and it’s easy to scan over them rather than actually read them. In order to truly understand what is expected of you, become familiar with legal terms and give yourself time to slowly look over the lease. You’ll likely want to read it a few times, taking notes as you go. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about a confusing statement in your lease. The more certain you are, the better. Also be sure to ask about your landlord’s policies on pets, potential late fees and sub-leasing.

These are just a few key factors that can affect how well you transition into your new apartment. Do you have any suggestions for first-time apartment hunters from your own experience? Let us know about them in the comment section below.