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Going to college can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. It can be exciting to study new things in your upcoming subjects. You can also enjoy having new friends and classmates. However, it can be daunting, as you may have some fears about what it’ll look like. Some expenses can also accompany you while studying. The cost of going to a college or university, such as tuition, books, housing, utilities, and food, can also be expensive.
According to American Avenue, housing is one of the costliest expenses while studying. The limited number of housing units that are present near the campus is what makes housing expensive for many students. Therefore, to find an affordable off-campus or on-campus house, you have to know the best tips for seeing them. This article will ensure that you’ll find a cheaper place to stay during those years of studying.
To begin, here are some tips for finding affordable student housing:
1. Search Online
The best way to find affordable student housing is to search online. It’s an advantage, as you can avoid traveling around to look for suitable student housing. One ideal way to do an online search is to start as early as possible. You can have the opportunity to find quality rooms and perfect spots by doing this process, allowing you to stay ahead of other students in terms of finding the right house. You can start a few months before the move-in date to ensure that you’ll have some time to check out student housing in various areas at different prices.
To begin an online search, you have to find the specific online websites that provide college housing services in your area. Many websites offer lists of available rooms, sublets, and leases in various states or cities. You can source these with a Google search using simple keywords, such as “rooms for rent Charlotte NC“, for example, and then look through the results to see what may suit you in your area.
Specific sites to check for student houses are:
- Rentable. This site is less focused on student-specific options. But it offers another substitute for Craigslist with a clean, easy-to-browse listing.
- Roomswap. This site gives a location for university students to list available sublets, leases, and rooms to occupy.
- Perch’n. You can browse the list of colleges organized by state. Here, you can see the campuses with active student house listings and those with none.
- Uloop. This classified service mainly focuses on job opportunities near campus, college housing, and many more.
2. Research The Area And Find The Best Place
Among the many things you do when choosing a college, researching the area you want to live in while studying matters. You can choose to live within the campus or decide whether to take a short walk or bus, which all depends on you. Similarly, if you choose to live off-campus, you have a new place to explore while still having the option of a quick journey from the center of the school. However, choosing to live on campus can allow instant access to all the college amenities. Also, you can expect that there are no commuting expenses to worry about.
It’s ideal to check the location physically once you decide which type of student house is your perfect choice. It’s vital to take this step, as knowing the site based on someone’s description is different from visiting it yourself. Checking the area can provide you with a feel for the place and help you make a well-informed decision. Here, you’ll know if the room smells good, if it has suitable safety parameters, if it’s close to the campus, or if it lacks essential amenities such as a reliable water supply or proper street lights. Overall, doing an in-person survey can help you select a few options that can make the process easier. Alternatively, if you are planning to study in London, search online for all the types of student accommodation available in London.
3. Consider Having A Roommate
Sharing the expenses of having off-campus housing with a roommate is another way to make student housing affordable. Choosing to have a roommate to share a student house with can significantly reduce the cost of leasing the space. This type of action is most applicable if the students live in costly cities. To find a roommate, you can check sites such as Roomster or RoomieMatch.com, use Craigslist, contact the college’s student services offices, or spread your desire for a roommate on campus.
Likewise, being prepared to share space or knowing the number of individuals you can tolerate in the area are factors that you must consider before deciding to share a living space. You must also view the list of positive and negative traits you want to have in a roommate. Roommates, on the other end of the spectrum, must also share their expectations. And there should be an agreement that shows the responsibilities of everyone. Duties include completing chores and giving the rent cash on a particular date every month.
4. Ask Your Campus
Some colleges and universities have become proactive in delivering housing resources for students, with housing search features on their websites, housing boards, and even referrals from residential life. Finding other students who are also searching for roommates or those looking for subletters for one or two semesters is also something that a college or university can assist with.
You can go to your college’s student welfare department to get this kind of help. Overall, this is one tip that you should remember to search for affordable student housing much more effortlessly.
5. Look For Subleasing
You may want to take note of some advertisements in the university union or online bulletin board for some studios or apartments for rent in Austin that some other students are subleasing. This type of student house is ideal for those looking for a temporary stay. It’s also good for finding affordable housing.
But what is subleasing? It’s a transaction where the leased house is released by the original person who’s subletting the space to third parties. Here, the lease agreements between the original parties remain applicable.
You can get a cheaper student house through subleasing, as you won’t need to pay for the whole premises. Instead, you’ll only rent the space that’s required. In some circumstances, the subletter may choose to reduce the rent cost and pay the difference. This scenario usually occurs when the subletter desires to move quickly. Likewise, if the price hasn’t declined yet, you may need to negotiate a lower price with the present occupant.
6. Start With A Clear Budget
Students need to have a clear budget for a student house. The budget includes having money for rent and utilities each month and having enough funding for appliances, furniture, and other personal amenities. The student can buy these personal amenities at a lower price at thrift stores rather than from online retailers and department stores.
These are some other factors to take note of when thinking of what you can afford concerning rent:
- Are you thinking of renting a one-bedroom or studio apartment, or are you thinking of having roommates?
- Are there transportation costs before going to the campus?
- Think about moving expenses. Will you need to rent a truck or buy boxes? Or pay for storage units over the summer season?
- What are the total costs for food? You can save cash by cooking a meal yourself, but it can be more convenient and healthier to have a partial meal plan.
- Have you thought about extras like cable or internet?
It’s highly advisable to know the preferred amount needed to pay for renting or getting accommodation. Knowing the right amount will assist you in identifying the correct student house that fits with your overall budget, therefore helping you make the right choice. Also, be reminded that you’ll need to pay cash upfront when there’s a signed lease. This payment usually happens during the first and last months of rent, plus the need for a security deposit.
In terms of having the capacity to pay, it’s essential to have a job to pay for the accommodation. With that, students can research flexible, part-time job opportunities. And if needed, employers near the college or university may also permit student employees to work extra shifts.
Bottom Line
It can be exciting and intimidating to go to college or university simultaneously. Learning new things and meeting new classmates is what makes it enjoyable. However, it can be intimidating, as what will happen next is still a mystery. There are also a lot of expenses that a new college or university student can face.
One of the expenses that can be costly is housing. The limited number of houses available near campuses is what makes the process of finding a student house costly. And so, to deal with the problem of ending up in an expensive student house, a budding college student must find the necessary tips that will assist in finding a cheaper off-campus or on-campus place. To summarize, some tips to take note of are searching online, researching the area, having a roommate, and having a clear budget.
As a rule of thumb, always make an informed decision and don’t settle on the first house you see. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you plan and prepare.