Choosing the Best Out-of-Campus Student Housing

You do not always have to leave on campus during your campus years. There are plenty of out-of-campus student housing options to choose from around your college or university. These student-housing units provide the privacy, serenity and independence that most campus hostels can never amount to. You may have to get into an agreement with your folks about it but once they agree that you can live off-campus, then you can start looking for the best housing option. The following are some of the things to look for in student housing out of campus.

Tailored to cater to student housing needs

You need to start off looking for housing units that specifically cater to student residents. This is important for your safety as well as the kind of facilities they provide. These units are built specifically with the student in mind making them ideal for people in college. They are usually walking distances aware from campus to make it easier for the students to access the school easily. Living in a student community also keeps you in touch with the latest happenings in campus. Living too far off campus and away from other students may alienate you from some of the important campus experiences that you do not want to miss.

Security

Security is a very important factor when choosing student housing out of campus. Most campuses often have a strong security presence. However, when it comes to out-of-campus living, it is up to the housing company to provide the necessary security. You also have to consider things such as the neighborhoods reputation for safety. Choose housing units with good security lighting, restricted and authorized access online, good neighborhoods and well-lit streets.

Parking

If you have a car, a motorcycle or even a bicycle that you use to get around, adequate and secure parking is a crucial factor to consider when choosing student housing. Find housing communities with ample parking areas for residents. The parking area should also be well lit and guarded for security purposes.

Amenities

If you are going to live out of campus, you might as well enjoy the perks of it. Choose student housing with various amenities such as swimming pools, mail centers and entertainment centers where you can relax after a long hard day at school.

Furnishings

House furniture can be quite expensive. Between student loans and living expenses, you hardly have enough left over to buy household appliances and furniture. You can find student-housing units that are already furnished with fully equipped kitchens, beds, and even living room furniture.

Individual leases

Even when sharing a single apartment among other students, it is advisable to get an individual lease. Not many housing units are willing to offer individual leases since they favor the tenant more than the property owner. Before moving into any student-housing unit, ensure you get an individual lease. Review all the details before signing. You can consult a professional or someone more experienced if you do not understand the terms used. 

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What to Look for when Choosing Off Campus Housing

Living off campus comes with quite a number of advantages as compared to living on campus. However, it all depends on whether you choose the right place to live. The following are some of the things you should be on the lookout for when choosing accommodation off of campus.

Well-maintained student housing

You should always go for well-maintained housing units. Some student housing are notorious for being poorly maintained and students have ended up living in damp, mould and pest infested accommodation simply because they did not make the right decision when choosing where to live. Always be on the lookout for telltale signs like creaky stairs, damp walls with paint peeling off or simply a rat scurrying across the room! Luckily, there are a few student-housing units that practice good maintenance and service delivery and these are the best to stay at.

Location is everything

As a student, you do not want to start a 40-minute commute routine every time you need to get to campus early in the morning. Public transport may be unreliable and buying a car is a whole different expense. Choose housing near the campus, preferably a maximum of a 15-minute walking distance so you can get to campus quickly without needing to catch a cab or get a bus. You also need to consider how close you are to other resources like hospitals, malls and newsagents among others. Avoid getting drawn to locations where majority of other students live just to be close to the party center when you could be giving up something better at another location.

Safety and security

The importance of safety and security cannot be stressed enough for a student living off campus. Worrying student crime statistics are often published by the police every year. If you do not want to be a victim of crime, you should be wary of the kind of environment you choose to live in. You should make sure the area you choose to live in has enough security measures in place. These include security lights, neighborhood watch or police patrol, burglar systems, safety locks on doors and windows.  Some of the best neighborhoods to live in are those near well-lit main roads so you can get home safely even late at night.

Another important safety features to be on the lookout for is whether the building has working fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and fire alarms as well as emergency exists in case of fire hazards.

Kitchen appliances

Kitchen appliances can be quite costly. Find out if the accommodation offers kitchen appliances as part of the tenancy and these appliances should be in working order. If you are going to share the apartment with other students, bear in mind the size of the appliance to the number of people. One fridge between five or six students may be too small.

Furnishings and fittings

Furnishings and fittings are also something else that could be included in the tenancy package to save you a lot of money. A bed, couch and a study table is a good place to start when it comes to furnishings. These may be all you need to push you through your entire time in campus.

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How to Keep Yourself Safe Living in a Small Student Community

Student communities do have their own fair share of safety concerns. Students have electronics and gadgets that are pretty expensive and targeted by criminals. To keep yourself safe, you need to take some precautionary measures.

1.     Always tell someone where you are going

If you are planning on meeting someone you don’t know or visiting a place you’ve never been to, make sure you tell one of your friends. Everyone is vulnerable to crime and it’s important to keep people on the loop in case of anything.

2.     Use safe means of transport

Using your own car in a small student community can be costly and inconvenient which is why most students use public transport. However, if it gets late, don’t over think about the cost of a taxi because your safety is more important especially if you’ve visited a place you are not familiar with.

3.     Know what’s happening around you

You need to always be on the lookout for any signs of danger or security concerns. Listen to the buzz around campus to familiarize yourself with common criminal activities and how to keep yourself safe. Beware of the people around you and do not invite strangers into your apartment while you are alone. This applies to fellow students as well. 

4.     Don’t show off

You might have the latest electronic gadgets in your apartment but nobody needs to know. Make sure you position these items in such a way that they can’t be easily spotted from the window. Don’t leave money lying around in your apartment especially when you have friends coming over.

5.     Keep your spare keys safe

Leaving your spare keys under the mat or close to the window is a huge security risk. In fact, your spare keys should never be left outdoors.  Have one of your close friends keep one for you and do not attach a tag on the key that reveals your name and phone number. Criminals can connect the dots and find their way into your house. 

6.     Lock all doors and windows

Leaving your doors and windows open when you go for classes can be a huge risk. In fact, many burglaries can happen during the day when most students are out for their classes. If your doors or windows cannot lock properly, call for maintenance services to be done as soon as possible.

7.     Get insurance for your valuable stuff

Student insurance is quite cheap and you can be able to protect your most valued assets from theft. Keep photographs of all your stuff that you want insured together with their receipts and serial numbers. It’s going to be easy for them to be found if they are stolen.

8.     Consider secure storage when you are away

If you cannot manage to travel with your valuables when you are going home for the holidays, arrange for a storage company to keep these items for you. You can enjoy your holiday in peace; resting in the knowledge that your valuables are safe.

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Three Tips for Finding Off Campus University Housing

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.

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So You're Getting a New College Roommate: What to Do to Prevent Roommate Conflict

Whether a college roommate or some other living situation, moving into the same space with another person can be exciting-sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a bad way. At college, the housing department will do their best to get everyone a good match by putting you in a room or suite with someone who, hopefully, shares some similar interests. What they can't do is detect in advance all those habit and stylistic differences that you and your new roommate will have. Your job is to make sure that-as much as possible-you prevent small differences from becoming unbearable problems.

Truth be told-college students may have had little preparation in knowing how to live in close proximity with another person or how to work out difficulties. Some estimate as many of 25% of college students have always had their own bathroom rather than sharing with another person. Something as simple as scheduling when the room can be quiet for studying and what to do about a dirty toilet can be challenging when you've never had to think about these issues before. Add in the complexity of creating a new life at college with new people, and it is easy to see how roommates sometimes make a bad start.

The Effects of Roommate Conflict

Here's what we know about roommates who have a bad experience.

It is stressful. As a result, students who have roommate problems tend toward less overall success at college. Students who want to get away from a roommate problem, may do so my quitting college completely. Stress also is linked to personal problems such as fatigue, depression, and alcohol use.

One of the best determinants of roommate success is the individual's hardiness-ability to deal with problems and day-to-day stress. Hardiness is related to stronger feelings of being in control of one's life.

We also know from research about 25% of students will have some degree of conflict with their roommate and that females are more likely to seek help from resident advisors than males.

What roommates typically have conflicts about also is relatively clear. While every situation will be somewhat unique, the most common areas of difficulty are:

• cleanliness
• noise
• drinking
• having sex in the room/shower
• sharing of expenses.

What Can Be Done?

The most important thing for new roommates seems to be talking to each other early and clearly about expectations and negotiating rules for living in the room/suite/house. The New Roommate Conflict Kit and other ideas you will find from your university or on the internet are good tools for roommates to work through that conversation. By taking a simple survey about some of the main issues that research shows cause conflict, roommates can work out a plan for these flash points before they occur.

Resources to Help Negotiating with a New Roommate

McCorkle, Suzanne, Ph.D. "The New Roommate Conflict Kit: How to Manage College Roommate Conflict" I-Tunes book store.

Research on Roommate Conflict

McCorkle, Suzanne, Ph.D and Mason, Susan, Ph.D "Conflict in Residence Halls: A Preliminary Study of the Efficacy of Roommate Negotiations to Reduce Roommate Conflict,"2009. Available through Boise State Universeity Scholar Works.

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Questions to Ask your Potential Off-Campus Housing Roommate

You have decided that you wish to live with a roommate in your off-campus housing unit. The problem is, you do not know of any close friend who wishes to live in the same area. This leaves you with the option of choosing a roommate from the sea of strangers who are looking for similar accommodation. How do you decide that a certain roommate is suitable and another is not? Here are some questions you should ask your potential roommate to determine whether they’re a good fit. 

Are you able to pay for the lease upfront?

This is a crucial question, because you do not want someone who is looking to sponge off your lease. You are taking in a roommate, not a dependent. As such, you must clearly establish whether the said roommate is able to meet their financial obligations as far as the lease is concerned. Do not get into agreements that will leave you in debt afterwards.

What’s your ideal way of unwinding?

Depending on whether your potential roommate says, relaxing with a friend over a game of chess or throwing a huge party, you’ll know what kind of troubles await you in the near future. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with someone who likes to party. However, you must consider whether you will be okay with having parties and multiple friends crashing at your apartment, courtesy of your roommate.

Have you had roommates in the past? What was your experience living with someone?

Most people who are eager to get roommate status will lie about this. But if you are asking these questions in person, you will be able to tell when the truth is being stretched. It is necessary to find out whether a potential roommate can actually share a space with another person. If it seems like they cannot, proceed carefully.  

Do you consider yourself a clean person?

Again, the answer to this question will be a resounding yes for almost everybody. Again, you might want to look out for indicators such as how well cleaned up they are.

What’s your idea of privacy?

Just because someone is living with you does not mean they are entitled to front row seats to all aspects of your life. It is necessary to find someone who understands this; otherwise there will be major clashes along the way.

Are you okay with sharing duties?

Sharing a house means sharing in the cleaning and maintenance work, among other duties. After enlightening your roommate to be on what their duties will be, ask them whether they are okay with that. Do not coerce them to accept their duties, however badly you need a roommate. Find someone who can do what is expected of them willingly. This is the only way you will ensure peaceful coexistence.

College roommates go on to become some of the best friends you will ever make. But this only happens if you select your roommate carefully. So take time to ask the right questions. And if you feel like asking the questions as phrased sounds interrogative, spin them and fix them into casual conversation. The bottom line is that you need answers.

Posted By: Toby Arnheim  http://athenscommons.com/

Questions to Ask when Selecting Off-Campus Student Housing

Choosing off-campus student housing can be nerve-wracking, especially when so many options are involved and you do not know where to get started. The trick to selecting the best off-campus student housing is to have a clear picture of what you want, then work towards getting that. Here are some questions you should answer before you choose a particular student housing community.

How far from college do you want to live?

Usually, students want to live as close to campus as possible so they can get to class easily, without even requiring to drive there (that is, within walking distance). You must clearly determine how far is too far and then slowly eliminate the housing options that do not meet this criterion. Remember you do not want to spend lots of time commuting, and you also want an apartment that is centrally located to allow access to other areas as well, including libraries, bookshops, restaurants, theaters and so on.

What kind of lifestyle are you looking for?

Different student housing communities offer different types of lifestyles, based on the kind of accommodation and facilities offered. Some housing communities will offer townhouse living while others will offer single-family homes. It is up to you to determine what you are looking for, then seek a housing community that enables this.

Are you looking to live with someone or alone?

This is a question that is crucial as it determines the kind of lease that is best for you. If you wish to live alone and pay for the housing on your own, go for housing that offers individual leases. If you want to have a roommate, choose housing that has leases for shared spaces.

How important is security to you?

Usually, the best answer to this question is ‘very’. However, for some reasons, you may feel that the security features put in place by a particular housing community are not very important to you, maybe because you know the neighborhood to be particularly safe and so on. Both ways, you must decide what you feel about security; and whether it matters to you that a housing community have state-of-the-art security systems or not.

Is there sufficient parking space?

You do not want a housing community that does not provide adequate parking space, as this will pose a big problem later on. Of course, if you prefer to use a bicycle, you should enquire whether bike racks are provided. The bottom line is to ensure your mode of transport is secured at all times.

Are there common areas provided?

Depending on how important socialization is to you, you should find out whether common areas have been provided by the housing community. Common areas include common indoor rooms, outdoor kitchens and even swimming pools. College demands excellence in not just academics but in the social sphere as well; and social interactions begin in these common areas.

Of course, these questions are just guidelines to helping you choose the best housing community. You should have a list of other things that matter to you, to enable you make the best choice for off-campus accommodation.

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