Reasons to Live Outside Campus During College

Apart from the learning experience college offers you in class, you also get to learn a lot about life and independence during this time. You have the clear choice of staying in the college dorms or staying in off campus accommodation. Here is a couple of reason why you should choose off campus accommodation:

Good food

Let’s face it, campus dorm kitchen meals are far from gourmet. It will take you about a week before you realize you cannot do this every day. When you live off campus, you have access to your own kitchen where you can let your inner home make out. You can enjoy well-cooked meals to your standards without being rushed by a long cue of hungry students. If you are not the cooking type, you may find yourself living close to a number of nice restaurants where you can enjoy some good food with a friend or treating yourself on a night out.

Freedom

Campus dorms are often supervised by RAs or you may even find yourself with an incompatible roommate, which will never happen in off campus accommodation. Even when living in shared apartments, you get to choose whom you live with and you can go as far as holding interviews before you decide who to share the space with. This gives you the freedom to be yourself, to live comfortably without interruptions and distractions form other people. Those who have lived off campus can attest that it is a truly liberating experience.

Experience

Campus education will teach you all about how to differentiate an equation or draft a polynomial formula but when it comes to life experience, you have to rough it out on your own. One of the best ways to start learning the adult way of living is by staying out off campus. You get the ideal opportunity of being an adult. You learn how to pay bills, how to manage your budget, cooking and cleaning for yourself. At the end of campus, you will have way more life experience than students living in campus hostels with no responsibility to learn from whatsoever. It is a welcoming experience into the real world and within no time, you will have adapted to the pressures of work and life once you are through with campus.

You get time to be alone

Campus hostels are often crowded and if you have a clingy roommate, you may never get a minute to yourself. When you have a designated area that is all yours, it is much easier to have some time alone to study, meditate or even rest without any disturbances. College can be quite stressful and sometimes you just need some time away from the frat boys and sorority girls to take a breather and get a clearer picture of life. You may find yourself more productive within your own space than trying to get work done in a noisy college dorm or a crowded library. Something you cannot get when living in campus.

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7 Things to Check When Viewing a Student Apartment

If you are planning on renting a student apartment, you need to take your time to choose wisely. Start by understanding your budget and needs so that you can find something that is comfortable for everyone especially if you are planning on having a roommate. Most importantly, look out for the following when viewing an apartment.

1.     Check the walls and ceilings for any signs of dampness. You will see patches of black mold forming especially on the cardboard ceiling. Make sure you look for signs of water damage in other areas like the wardrobes. The dampness can cause diseases and needs to be addressed before you move in.  

2.     You also need to look out for signs of pests’ infestation. Students can be really messy and you may end up in an apartment that was used to having piles of trash and hence has rodents and cockroaches all over. Make sure they do something about these nasty invaders before you move in.

3.     Consider the location of the student apartment. An apartment that is close to the bus stop or your university is most convenient. Some of the nicest homes for students may not be situated very close to campus so you’ll have to spend a lot of time and money commuting. Consider what’s more important for you: a nice looking apartment or one that is close to school?

4.     Make sure there is adequate supply of water to the apartment. During viewing, make sure you turn on the taps to see if the water comes out with adequate pressure. You might also want to check the toilet and bathroom to ensure there are no water issues. 

5.     The other import thing to check when viewing the student apartment is the security. The construction of the house itself shouldn’t compromise on your safety. Check whether the apartment has alarm systems, safe doors and window locks. If you have any concerns in regards to security, communicate it to the landlord and find out what measures they have put in place to make the apartments safer for students. You may also consider speaking to a few people in the community around to find out how secure the area is.

6.     Check the electrical components to ensure that you are not at risk of safety hazards. You don’t need to be an expert to tell if a building has basic wiring issues. If you see hanging electrical wires, loose cables or poorly installed plug sockets, they should be a cause for concern. If the apartment has appliances, make sure the size and type present will work for you.

Proper insulation is also very critical in any apartment you choose. Look for features such as double gazed windows and a reliable heating system. Check out the exterior of the building as well and inspect the roof to see if there are any signs of missing tiles or poor flashing. These roofing issues may present insulation problems. 

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A First Time Renter's Guide

College is your first shot at independence. If you've decided to live off-campus, remember that renting can be a challenge and will require responsibility. Before you sign a lease, consider these tips.

Budget

You need to clearly define a budget and determine your affordable monthly rent. A good way to determine this number is to add together your income and multiply it by 0.3 to get 30% of your monthly pay. Keeping your goal near or below this number ensures you'll have enough cash left over to live comfortably. You may also want to consider the possibility of getting a roommate to help with bills. Ask your friends or post ads around campus. If you have pets, you'll need to make sure each apartment you view allows them, and you'll also need to account for pet fees and deposits during budgeting.

Features

Once you know for sure that you can afford an off-campus space, you need to decide what type of place you're looking for and which amenities you can't live without. Some students do not mind driving to class every day, while others may prefer to bike or walk. A safe and convenient location is crucial. Some properties provide more uptodate features, such as their own washer-dryer unit on site, while others have a communal coin-operated machine. Depending on your location, central heating or air may be a necessity. Larger complexes could have pools, on-site gyms, rooftop spaces, or a variety of other amenities. Knowing what you need and want in your new place will help simplify the search, plus it will save you time and money.

Searching

Once you've identified your ideal features, it's time to looking for apartments for rent. Start at your new school. Many universities are affiliated with off-campus apartments, and others can provide resources or refer you to rental properties that are popular with students. This will ensure that your neighbors are your peers. Another option is to find apartments through rent advertisements posted online and in classifieds. There are also probably ads up for rental spaces and roommates all over campus. Look on communal bulletin boards or an online community page for more potential deals.

Viewings

Once your search has turned up some prospects, it's time to start calling leasing offices. Narrow your list down to three to five properties and prepare to start viewing. Viewing rentals is very exciting and the prospect of having your own place can be distracting. You're going to need to take a checklist to each property you view to keep you on track. The checklist will include basic safety standards and common issues like faulty plumbing, broken doors/cabinets, kitchen appliances, and marked up walls/floors. You can make a personalized checklist or download a generic one from the internet, but do not sign a lease without verifying basic safety and checking to make sure everything functions. Any minor issues you notice at the place you decide to lease should be recorded and reported to your apartment manager. Don't get stuck paying for damage done by a previous tenant.

Applying

Apply for apartments one at a time, starting at your first choice. Each place can charge up to $50 for an application fee and if you're accepted by your first choice there's no need to waste that cash. If you're a first-time renter, some apartments for rent will have a first-timer's policy, but you're likely going to need a co-signer to apply with you due to lack of credit. At signing, be prepared to fork over two months, plus fees like safety deposits and pet expenses. Leases are typically valid for a 6 month or 12 month term. Read the entire document before you sign to ensure that you won't be surprised by hidden late fees or other expenses.

Good luck searching apartments for rent and remember, take your time and select a space you love, but don't blow your monthly budget. Ask an advisor at your school for resources or begin contacting leasing offices in your area today. Move into your new home soon!

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What to Expect from off Campus Student Housing

Once you have been accepted to college, you need to start making arrangements for where to stay. You can choose to stay in the college dorm rooms, rent out an apartment or choose off-campus student housing communities. College dorm rooms can tend to be quite noisy and crowded with very little space while renting an entire apartment is very costly for a college student. Off-campus student housing communities provide the ideal living environment for college students. You should expect the following:

Close proximity to the college

Most off-campus student housing units tend to be within a walking distance from most colleges or universities. This allows you to stay in touch with the latest from the college while still enjoying your own privacy and spacious accommodation. You do not need to worry about commuting or spending money on gas driving to school every day since you can easy walk a block or two.

Short term and long-term individual leases

Even if you end up sharing a housing unit with other college mates, you still get your own individual lease. You can even lease for as much as 12 months. If you get a job near the campus during college vacations, you do not have to worry about how to find new accommodation with such a lease. You enjoy access to affordable accommodation all year round.

Tenant portal access

Most student housing communities are in tune with the latest demands for technology. You can even have a portal access where you can check your lease details if you need to, contact management for maintenance or even pay your rent and track your payments. This makes is a lot easier to organize your activities.

Ample parking

If you have a car or motorcycle, you are going to need free and safe parking. Off campus, housing offers ample parking areas for their residents. You do not have to worry about paying parking fees or your car getting towed.

Furnished kitchen

Kitchen appliances can be very expensive but you do not have to worry about buying new ones because most of these student-housing units are furnished with everything you need. You will find kitchen stoves, microwaves and refrigerators making it extremely easy for you to prepare your own meals.

Private baths

You can never underestimate the value of a private bathroom until you have lived in a college dorm where the bathrooms are communal. When you rent off campus, you can enjoy the privacy of your very own shower and toilet, which is also good for your hygiene.

Security

The housing communities often have security guards on patrol and a security office. So you know you are safe even when you live off campus. They will assist in solving disputes, identify and prevent potential threats as well as ensure that other tenants adhere to the regulations for the housing community.

Swimming pool

If you are lucky, you can find off campus accommodation with a pool. Granted, the college has its own swimming pool but you may be restricted on when and how you can use it.

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A Decorating Idea For College Apartments

Sometimes college apartments can be difficult places to live in and design to feel like your own. They may be run-down, dirty, or you just may not have the money to spend on creating an aesthetic space.

Area rugs can be one of the best ideas to decorate your college apartment. Many college apartments have dirty carpets that can make you feel bad about the home you live in or make you not want others to see your home. An area rug will help cover any stains or imperfections in the carpet and give you something clean to walk on.

College apartments may also have tile or wood floors that are easier on the landlord than replacing carpet each year but which can not only make the room feel cold to look at but can actually be cold on your feet. An area rug is a great decorating idea to help add the appearance and actual feel of warmth to a room.

Spending the extra money on a nice area rug is a worthwhile decorating idea for a college apartment. Area rugs come in many different styles for anyone's tastes from traditional to contemporary. A large splash of color on the floor can add character to an otherwise understated room. The best reason for an area rug is that you can take it with you when you go and a smaller rug would easily fit into most cars.

Decorating ideas for a college apartment may seem difficult and costly but an area rug can fix a multitude of problems.

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How to Enjoy Living Off Campus

If you have found yourself living off-campus, you might be wondering how you are going to survive during the semester, especially if you had not originally planned on living in off-campus housing. A lot of students find themselves faced with the difficult option of getting accommodation outside of campus grounds, either due to limited spaces in on-campus accommodation or other reasons. The good news is that there are steps you can take to ensure that your off-campus lifestyle remains pleasant, and maybe even enjoyable. Here’s what you need to do:

Find conveniently accessible housing

If you are going to live off-campus, the first thing you should consider when choosing an apartment is how accessible it is from campus grounds. The last thing you want is to spend hours commuting from campus to apartment. If you can get housing that is within walking distance, not only will you cut back on hours that would have been spent on transport, you will also minimize transportation costs.

Consider your security

Only go for off-campus housing that guarantees your security. You do not want to live in a place where you are constantly fearful of attacks. It is a good idea to ask what security features are in place, and who is allowed access to the housing community. If anybody can come and go as they please, you are better off seeking accommodation elsewhere.

Get a good roommate

A roommate is capable of making your life in an off-campus housing community terrible or amazing, depending on the type of person/roommate they are. Therefore when deciding who you will live with, choose someone that you get along with and someone who will make it easy for you to love outside of campus. Constantly wrangling with your roommate will make your off-campus living a nightmare.

Choose to enjoy the experience

Sometimes, you have to make the conscious decision to enjoy an experience, however unexpected it came about. So even if it was not in your plan to live off-campus, do your best to enjoy this new experience. Make use of the facilities offered in your off-campus housing community. Say hello to the other students and make new friends. Join in the fun activities that students in the housing community organize. Purpose to have a great time.

Be accountable to yourself

Unlike on-campus living, off-campus living comes with minimal supervision, if at all. It is much easier to get lost along the way when living off-campus, since there is no one constantly watching over you. If you really want to enjoy living off-campus, take this as an opportunity to live independently and answer to yourself. Do what is expected of you, and on time. Pay your bills on time. Clean and cook when needed. Don’t make your life hard by fighting with the natural order of things.

Living off-campus is a great experience that comes with many perks. However, you must be prepared to take the necessary measures to ensure that you enjoy this experience. Many years down the line, once you have graduated from college, you will be able to look back at your off-campus living years and smile.

Posted By: Troy O'Hearn http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Benefits of Living off-Campus

Whether you’ve just joined college or are returning as a senior, the decision on where to live, be in on or off campus, is one that must be made. Many students end up in off-campus housing simply because on-campus accommodation had limited spaces, only to find out that off-campus living is exactly what they needed. There are several reasons why living off-campus is beneficial to you as a student and as a person as a whole.

Independence

Living off-campus means that you are responsible for yourself, your rent, your schedule and just about everything. You are liberated to do whatever you wish, without the supervision of RAs. There are no strict rules as is common in college dorms, and you have to set these for yourself.

Privacy

If you choose to live in a college dorm, chances are high that you will be sharing your bedroom with one or two people. In off-campus housing, however, you will have your own bedroom, which translates into more privacy.

More space

A dorm room is usually half the size of a regular bedroom. This means that you will have to share a room that is small in the first place. Off-campus housing allows you to choose a space that is sufficient for all your needs, and you do not even have to share it.

Less expensive

College housing can be very expensive. In fact, in some instances, it is as much as the tuition. On top of that, you may have to purchase a meal plan which only serves to increase your costs. In this respect, off-campus housing is more pocket-friendly.

Fewer distractions

Living in a college dorm comes with a myriad of distractions, what with the constant parties and your roommates’ friends who cannot stop coming over! When you live off-campus, you will have fewer distractions and any parties that are held will have to be authorized by the lease owner, namely, you.

Build credit

Paying for rent and utilities using a credit card on a monthly basis is a great way to build a good credit history which may come in handy after school.

Food

When you live off-campus, you are responsible for your food. This means that you can eat healthier as you have control over what makes it to the dinner table.

Roommate

Usually, when living on-campus, you have very little control over who gets to share your dorm room with you. If you do decide to live off-campus, you can choose who becomes your roommate. You can even decide to share your apartment with a close trusted friend, this way you will not be forced to share a space with someone you cannot stand.

Parking space

Off-campus housing communities usually provide sufficient parking spaces for the students. For those living on-campus, finding parking space is usually a hassle. If you are worried about this problem, you might want to explore off-campus living options.

As you can see, there are many great benefits that come with living off-campus. So if you have been feeling down about not securing on-campus accommodation, it is time to embrace the opportunities that off-campus living offers.

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