Your first year of college can be an amazing and intense experience. Many people are living away from home with no supervision for the first time. There are new things to learn, new people to meet, and a new city to explore. Freshmen also have the experience of living in a dormitory for the first time. Living in the dorms is a great way to meet friends and form a social group, but it can also be loud and chaotic at times. For those students who are considering a different living option, here are three tips to help you find a great place.
Ask Your School For Suggestions
Nearly every college in the country that has university housing cannot offer an on-campus room to every student. As a result, they know that a large portion of their pupils will live off-campus, either by choice or necessity. The same departments that manage dormitories will often have a physical or online list of properties that they recommend to students looking for a new house or apartment. These suggestions are generally vetted in some form or another. They are often included in the list due to recommendations from past student tenants. If tenants who live in them complain to the university, the housing option will be removed from the list. Since there will always be a ready supply of potential tenants coming from the college, many of the landlords of these properties do not advertise their availability outside of the school list, making the university housing department a valuable resource.
Use Social Media Shamelessly
Anyone who uses social media has seen posts or messages from friends and acquaintances saying they are looking for a new car, new job, new computer, or new apartment. Even if you find your friends' posts irritating, do not let that keep you from doing the same thing. The best rental properties are on the market for very short periods of time, if at all. Many are simply passed from one acquaintance, friend, or family member to the next. Getting the word out to your friends and family that you are looking for a place will increase your odds of finding a great spot significantly. A recent study by universities states that roughly 45% of students living off-campus move every year. This means a lot of university housing is changing hands every year. Social media is your surest bet to know ahead of time about a great property.
Get In Touch With Greek Housing
Greek housing is not for everybody. You have to be open to having more parties than the average house would have. If you can handle that, you can often find a wonderful deal on rent. Many Greek organizations rent out unused rooms to non-members. Since the dues paid by members helps subsidize the cost of the house, rent is often well below market value. Some houses even include a daily meal with the rent.
In conclusion, there are a lot of options available to students who want to live off campus. If you follow these tips, you will have a great chance at finding an amazing place.
Posted By: Athens Commons http://athenscommons.com
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