5 Things to Look for When Renting Off-Campus Student Apartments

As you get ready to leave high school and head off to college you have a lot of new decisions to make. You will be selecting and applying to your favorite universities, sorting through scholarship opportunities and student loan possibilities and looking for an academic program that will support your future career. When compared to high school, with its structured schedules, going to college opens up a new world of freedom.

Once you’ve enrolled at your new college there are still more choices to make. One of the biggest things you have decide is where you will live during your university years. While some choose to stay in dorms, more and more students are finding that they really enjoy living in off-campus student apartments. As you evaluate your off-campus housing options, there are important things to consider.

Proximity to Campus

If you pick student apartments that are close to campus, you’ll be able to easily get to your classes, the library and all the university events. It’s great to select a property that’s a quick walk away or is right on a bus line with frequent service to the college. You’ll save a lot of money on gas, insurance and car stickers if you don’t need a car to get to you to the university every day.

Off Campus Community

While you can live in a neighborhood house off campus, it is much nicer to live in student apartments where you are part of a community. You can socialize and hang out with fellow students, and get together for parties and other activities. By being part of a community, you will get some of the benefits of dorm living but at the same time have the freedom of having your own place and space.

Neighborhood Safety

As you visit different properties prior to making your off-campus housing decision, it is critical that you check out the neighborhood and see how it feels. It’s a good idea to walk through the complex and drive through the surrounding area. You should do this during the day time, and then again at night, so you see how comfortable and safe it is there. You can also do research online to see local crime reports and safety statistics.

Access To Grocery Stores and Shopping

Each apartment comes with a fully furnished kitchen, so you will be able to save a lot of money by making most of your meals at home. It’s really helpful if your off-campus housing complex is within walking distance of local grocery stores and places where you can shop. Being close to inexpensive take out restaurants is a great plus too.

Maintenance and Condition of the Apartment Complex

You should talk to other tenants before you rent your new apartment. Ask how responsive management is to requests for maintenance and see if the people renting there now would recommend the complex. You can also look around and make sure that the buildings and common areas look well maintained.

When you heading off to college it’s important that you make the right student housing decision. If you are looking for an option that will save you money and let you live more like an adult, then a great off-campus student apartment may be the right choice for you.