Off-Campus Housing Blog

Dumpster Decorating: Recycling at Its Finest

March 27, 2015

Dumpster decorating is an excellent way to save money on buying new furniture for your already expensive new apartment. Desks, dressers, nightstands, entertainment centers and dining room tables are just some of the common furnishings you can find while dumpster diving. One of the wonderful things about college life is that it’s ok to be…

Making the Most of Your Apartment Space: The Living Room

March 27, 2015

Decorating Tips

In most apartments, the living room is the first area you see when you walk in the door. In fact, in most apartments, the front door leads directly into the living room. Before you head for campus, get with your roommates and decide what furniture each roommate should bring. The following list offers the basics for…

Making the Most of Your Apartment Space: the Bedroom

March 27, 2015

Decorating Tips

If you’re lucky enough to have your own bedroom in an off-campus apartment, you’re probably super excited about having a place to call your own. Before you get too excited, keep in mind that your bedroom should ideally serve several purposes. How you organize it will help determine how much “space” you actually have. For…

How to Find a Roommate

March 27, 2015

Roommates

There’s no reason to panic if you’re renting an off-campus apartment and don’t have roommates already lined up, as there are plenty of ways to go about finding roommates. Roommate matching is the easiest way to find new roommates. However, there are plenty of other methods to find roommates that might actually be a better fit…

Negotiating Rent

March 27, 2015

Budgeting, Leasing Information

Negotiating rent can be an intimidating process. When looking for an apartment, especially when you’re doing it for the first time, it’s hard to know exactly what to expect. For example, if the ad in the paper says the apartment is $800 a month, is that number set in stone? While there is no blanket…

Parent’s Corner: Helping Your Student Make the Leap to Apartment Living

March 27, 2015

Apartment Living, Parent's Corner

It’s a common occurrence in homes every year. Your college student announces at Christmas that he or she is not going to live in the dorms next year. It’s time for an apartment. While your first thought might be panic: “She’s not ready for an apartment!” “It can’t be as safe as the dorm!” The…

Respecting Privacy in an Apartment Situation

March 27, 2015

Off Campus Housing, Roommates

Respecting the privacy of your roommates is important to creating a peaceful apartment living environment. Part of the fun of moving into an apartment is sharing the space with friends. While there’s lots of good that can come from moving in with other students, there need to be rules in place to prevent infringing on…

Getting By for Less at the Grocery Store – Part 2

March 27, 2015

Budgeting, Food

A great way to save money at the grocery store is to plan at least a few meals with your roommates. Although schedules can vary and it can be hard to get a group together regularly, you will save money if you share meal expenses with your roommates at least once in awhile. Sharing meals…

Being a Good Neighbor 101

March 27, 2015

Apartment Living, Neighbor

Apartment living means living in close proximity to a lot of people. Even in a small complex, you will have neighbors. Your experience in your apartment will depend in large part on how you interact (or don’t) with your neighbors. Sometimes it’s as easy as saying hello. It’s amazing how quick people respond with even…

Getting By for Less at the Grocery Store – Part 1

March 27, 2015

Budgeting, Food

One of the biggest challenges as a poor college student living on your own for the first time, especially when you’re living on a tight budget, is finding affordable food to eat at your local grocery store. While eating fast food is a convenience, it’s also an expensive way to fill your stomach, not to mention…

Move In Time! Plan Ahead to Meet Furniture Needs

March 27, 2015

Decorating Tips, Roommates

When you move into your new college apartment the fun is about to begin. No, it’s not the parties, but finding furnishings for your first college apartment that can lead to a fun adventure. Move in time means it’s time to find all of the furniture to dress up and entertain in your new space. In case…

Budgeting Basics: Accounting for Rent

March 27, 2015

Budgeting

Budgeting is an important life lesson for college students. One of the aspects of a budget that you need to consider is your rent. When you’re in college, choosing where you live is an important consideration every single year. It’s always important to separate reality from desire. When it comes to picking an apartment, that…