As a parent to a young adult going off to college, you like
to know that your child gets the best whenever they are going to live during their
studies. If you have any experience with them, then you already know how
cramped campus dorms can be, not to mention the noise and small spaces shared
between students. Off campus housing for students have become the best
solutions for students who need adequate space and privacy to concentrate on
their studies. Whether you are a parent or student looking for student housing
out of campus, here are a couple of things to be on the lookout for:
Convenient location
This is the first and most important factor to be on the
lookout for when searching for student housing out off campus. You do not want your young
adult wasting a lot of time commuting long distances just to get to campus in
the morning and getting home late at night. Look for housing units that are a
walking distance away from
the campus for convenience. The housing units should be close enough to campus
and close to everything else.
Well maintained property
You can tell the condition of the property just by looking
at it when you arrive. Be keen about your surroundings whenever you are viewing
student housing units. Look out for well maintained exterior environment
including mowed lawns, swept up parking lots, functional security lights, well
painted exteriors. Anything less than this and you should not even waste your
time going in.
A student community
Just because the student will be staying off campus, does
not mean they do not need to be
around other students. To enjoy the full college experience and to
always stay in the loop of what is happening in campus, it is advisable to live
in areas where other students live as well, even if they are from other
campuses. Community amenities such as swimming pools and summer kitchens can
also help to strengthen the bonding experience.
Individual leases
In case the living units are shared, it is advisable to find
housing units that offer individual units. This ensures that an individual is
only liable for their
portion of the rent. In case the other roommates skip on rent, it will not
affect the one who has made their payments in any way.
Security
Security guards should be present at least at the entrance
of the housing unit. A security patrol around the area can also give you better
peace of mind. Other important aspects of security include surveillance and
monitoring systems such as key controlled access.
Quality unit features
Finally, when you get to the living area, ensure that the
provisions meet the needs of the student. In case of shared units, bedrooms
with private bathrooms are better as they offer more privacy and
accountability. Provisions for basic household appliances such as washers and
dryers, microwaves, cookers and refrigerators are also a plus. Furnishing such as beds and study tables are often a
standard.
Posted by: Athens Commons http://athenscommons.com