When you’re looking for an off-campus apartment, it’s easy to be lulled into dreamland by fancy common spaces and apartment amenities. The newer the apartment complex, the nicer the amenities and units, and the higher the price tag. As a student, it’s important to be realistic about what you want and what you really need.
Fancy clubhouses with common space and a big screen TV serve as enticements that often make an apartment complex feel more like a resort. These common spaces often include an exercise room, locker room and access to the pool. Some offer concierge services from on-site staff, like movie rentals, dry cleaning drop offs or copy machines and a business center.
Depending upon your college lifestyle, you should evaluate how realistic it’s that you will actually use these spaces or the extra services that are offered on the property.
A swimming pool, for example, will look refreshingly fun in the summer, but if it’s closed from Labor Day until school’s out, you’re not going to get much use of it throughout the year.
Exercise facilities in the clubhouse may look convenient, but if your campus has a rec center, you’re probably already paying for membership as part of your campus fees and your on-site facility is bound to pale by comparison.
Additionally, most clubhouses have restrictions as to the use of the facility, as well as open hours that may not fit your school and work schedule.
Before you pay hundreds of dollars more each year for amenities you may not use, be sure to evaluate all your leasing options. Your bank account may thank you later.
Do you have any suggestions on apartment amenities that students should avoid or amenities that are essential to a happy college experience? Let us know about them in the comment section below.
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I really was looking for a pool in my college apartment complex, but now I am rethinking this. I could save money by living in off campus housing that doesn’t have a pool. It is a must that the apartment complexes has a gym though. I always like having access to a gym incase it’s raining or the gym at my college is packed. Plus, I can walk home and that makes it really convenient.
Definitely agree about the swimming pool. At my last off campus apartment, I never used it and it was closed for half the year anyway. Even when it was open, it was always packed and super loud so I never wanted to relax next to it. 🙁
That’s great advice about having access to the pool. I never thought of it that way! thanks!
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