Sure, living in a dorm is a major part of the college experience. After a semester, however, the lack of privacy, the small spaces, the constant interaction with hall-mates, the parking situation … well, the list goes on and on.
Off-campus housing is yet another major step into accepting the many responsibilities involved in your transition to adulthood. And a new semester is stressful enough without making an ill-planned move off-campus. To help you plan for “the big move”, reference this checklist and eliminate any added, unnecessary stress.
Budgeting
- Search for an applicable budgeting list to organize your known expenses and the potential housing expense that will come with your move.
- Research the apartments to find one that best fits your financial situation.
- Expenses to consider:
- Internet
- Telephone
- Utilities (gas, electric, water, sewer)
- Cable (if possible)
- * Don’t forget to include up-front costs such as security deposits or set-up fees.*
Housing
- Make a list of personal housing priorities to help decide where to look.
- Consider:
- location
- cost
- roommates
- services (amenities, included utilities, etc.).
- Research available places by
- talking to fellow students,
- reviewing the classified ads in newspapers,
- searching the internet with sites like Collegerentals.com
- driving around town.
Planning
- Confirm activation date for utilities
- Confirm move-in date and procedures with landlord/roommates
- Consider purchasing renters insurance to protect your property in case of emergency
- Pack personal belongings and personal property
- Purchase necessary supplies
- Rent/Borrow necessary vehicles
When to Move?
- Give yourself plenty of time to do research and explore your options. When asked, many students consider the end of spring break to be the crucial time for locating an apartment.
- Do your research in the weeks before spring break to make sure you’re prepared and fully informed.
Where to Move?
- Do you need to be close to a place of employment?
- How close will your new home be to other weekly activities like shopping, church, fitness center, and friends?
- How close to the university do you need to be>?
- Whatever the distance, give it a trial run to see how long your commute will be during different times of the day.
What Type of Place to Move?
- What type of living environment do you want?
- Does a house, townhouse, or apartment best fit your lifestyle, interests, and budget?
- How will you get from your new home to work and school?
Roommates?
- Discuss the costs of renting and have a plan before making any commitments.
- Consider a roommate contract to clearly outline expectations and agreements.
- More tips on the benefits and negatives of roommates:
Preparation
- Schedule a time to walk through properties and pick a place that meets your needs.
- Talk with the landlord about:
- Costs
- Services
- Terms of the lease
- Roommates policies
- Parking, utilities
- Amenities
- Availability
- Pets
- Repairs
- References.
Leasing
- Pay housing deposits
- Prepare for signing a lease
- Sign a lease
- Internet, Telephone, and Utilities
Equal Housing Opportunity
