How to Find the Best Off-Campus Housing

By Kylie Exline on February 21, 2017

One of the best feelings is moving out of your tiny dorm room into an apartment of your own. Now, it is not going to be 5-star living, but it is definitely better than sneaking in at 3 a.m. attempting to not wake your cranky roommate who is sound asleep two yards away from you.

A lot goes into finding your lovely abode. For one, you are sort of going to be living there for a minimum of 365 days so you should probably enjoy being there. Nothing is worse than dreading your time spent in bed. I mean come on, it is what we look forward to at the end of the day, right?

To discover the best off-campus housing, continue to read below and make sure to follow said advice, or else you just may hate where you live and that is never good.

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Do your research

If college has taught you anything, it has been to party and perform well (decent?) in your classes. This means to do your research, people. Please, no plagiarizing here. If you want to find the best, then you must do your best. Or in other words, do your dang research.

This entails using Google to your advantage, phone books, and actually calling the apartment complexes to find out about rates and such. Fun, I know. But hey, you may just find out if there is a special or something if you book a tour.

Research means knowing what is both right and wrong. You know, if the billing is excessive or if pets are even allowed on the property. You never know when you will need a man’s best friend. It is always worth finding that almost perfect apartment with your name written all over it. Or at least on the lease.

Ask around

If you are really interested in finding the best of the best, then you must ask around. This includes, but is not limited to, friends, coworkers, professors, and even random people. Okay, that one might be a tad sketchy but you get the idea.

Although you should not completely rely on their opinion, it is best to know something about the place and area as opposed to going into it blind. You can find out if the neighbors are mainly college aged, if there are obnoxious parties literally every night, and if the management does their job. You would be surprised at how many do not.

Asking means receiving, or something like that, so you should ask away. Basically think of anything that may seem of importance to you and where you live. Are there washers and dryers in the unit, amenities, free parking? Someone should have an answer, and this way you can think about whether you would even want to move there.

Visit the area

If you are physically able to visit a potential apartment, then just do it. There are always tours and sometimes accepted walk-ins. Virtual tours are not always truthful, and this way you can see the entire property and complex firsthand. And maybe even spot some cute neighbors (*wink, wink*).

To find the best off-campus housing, you can literally jump in your car or take the bus to local areas. You can check out what the apartment is near, if it is remotely close to campus, and if you can walk to work when the weather permits. Lower that carbon footprint, folks.

Some of the best reasons for living off-campus is having more privacy, less rules, and being able to hang out with friends after 9 if they happen to be the opposite sex. By visiting the area, you can see if there are bars, a gym, and maybe even better apartments near the one you are by.

It is not easy peasy to locate a great area to live in and it happens to take some effort. That is why you should definitely do your research, which consists of finding out prices and vital adult things related to money and bills. You should also ask around because you never know what you might find out about an apartment complex. Cue poor management and ghosts. Lastly, visit the area if you have a chance because it will probably be better to view these things in person.

Just keep in mind, good things come to those who wait, including amazing apartments. And beautiful neighbors.

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