You’ll have to prepare a lot of things before you start your journey as a college student. Aside from carefully picking a college degree, you also have to pay extra attention to the apartment where you’ll choose to stay. Your living arrangement can significantly affect your ability to study, maintain communication with your family, and excel in your studies.
But since there are many apartments for college students today, choosing one can be a struggle. What factors will you consider in choosing? Where and how can you start your search? Coming up with answers to these questions are vital because staying in a cramped apartment with noisy roommates will make it very challenging for you to survive college.
To make this process easier for you, here’s how you can find a great apartment that’s perfect for college students like you:
Assess The Proximity To The Campus
You will be staying in your apartment most of your college life, which means that the proximity of the property can make or break your experience as a college student. Choosing to stay in a cheap apartment but will require you to take public transportation for at least two hours can be a waste of time and money. This living arrangement will require you to wake up in the wee hours of the morning and can eventually take a toll on your health.
When choosing an apartment for college students such as yourself, make sure that it’s near your campus. Sheffield University Student Accommodation, for example, provides apartments to college students who are attending Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield and is located less than a mile away from these campuses. The nearer your apartment to your college or university is, the more convenient your life as a college student will be.
Determine The Safety And Security
As mentioned, you will be staying in your apartment most of the time once you become a college student. This is where you will study and take a rest after a tiring day at school. However, it’ll be hard for you to make the most out of your apartment if you’re always worried about your safety. Instead of focusing on the lessons discussed by your instructor, you will be too occupied thinking about the valuables you left in your apartment. Sleeping can also become a tedious chore if you’re always worried at night.
When choosing an apartment, don’t forget to assess the security features provided in the space. Are there any roving security guards in the night? Is the building equipped with CCTV cameras? How many locks do you have to open before you can enter the apartment? Can anyone enter the space even if they are not renting?
The safety features of your apartment can affect your comfort as a college student and the value you can get from your rent, so make sure that you check this feature properly. Choosing an apartment within an unsafe neighborhood with shady tenants is one of the last things you want to experience as a college student.
Check The Utilities
It’ll be very challenging for you to survive as a college student if your apartment doesn’t have basic utilities. How can you study in the evening if you don’t have electricity in your apartment? Do you think you can take a shower or bath and clean your space if you don’t have a sufficient supply of water? The availability of utilities is always an important factor to consider when choosing an apartment.
Aside from the basics, you should also make sure to choose an apartment that provides a strong and stable internet connection. Having a Wi-Fi connection is a must for all college students as this allows them to access millions of resources on the internet and maintain communication with their friends and family back home.
Get Familiar With The Rules And Regulations
Different apartments will require their tenants to follow different rules. While some college apartments for rent in Victorville do not allow tenants to bring visitors to their apartments, others are lenient to this policy.
Before signing a lease and paying for rent, identify the rules and regulations required by the landlord from you. This information can help you set your expectations and determine if the apartment you’re eyeing to rent is suitable for your lifestyle. Knowing this information is also vital as it helps you avoid paying for penalties and fees, and ensure that you maintain a positive relationship with your landlord.
Start Early
Choosing an apartment can be tough, especially when it’s your first time doing it. The number of options to choose from might be overwhelming. In worse cases, you could become pressured to choose an apartment that is either too expensive for your budget or doesn’t suit your lifestyle as a college student.
Aside from treating this article as your guide in finding a great apartment, it’s also important to start your search early. Having time on your hands allows you to scout for several options, compare the pros and cons of each, and choose an apartment that best fits your preferences.