How to Find Your Perfect First Apartment Getting your first apartment is kind of a huge deal – it’s the first time you have to take care of yourself as an adult. Of course, a college student assumes they are taking care of themselves and living on their own while in the dorms, but not so much. Once you’re in an apartment, you don’t have that meal plan anymore (cooking in your own kitchen is healthier, anyways) and you have bills to pay. So, there are a few tips to follow when looking for your first apartment, because the task can seem overwhelming at first, but the end result is way better than dorm life.
Step One: Determine Your Budget The first thing you need to do is figure out how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis, and whether you can afford a 12-month lease or not. Of course, you’re going to look at some insane apartments that seem perfect, but they’re not in your price range – just look away because there are plenty of affordable off campus apartments in your price range.
Step Two: Research Your New Neighborhood You always want to make sure that you’re living in a safe area. Your campus might even provide you with a list of off campus apartments that have been approved by the school. If they do not supply you with that information, looking up the crime rate online is really simple and 100 percent worth it. Aside from the safety factor, you want to make sure there are places around for entertainment – like the movies, shopping, transportation (if you don’t have a car), grocery stores, and a bank close by is always a bonus.
Step Three: The Roommate Search Moving into your first apartment is a once in a lifetime experience and it’s even better when you share that experience with a roommate. A lot of college campuses require their first year students to live on campus, which gives you a full year to find a roommate to live in an apartment with – and make sure you trust them.
Also, having a roommate makes rent easier because you split it right down the middle – sometimes whoever takes the master bedroom will pay a little more. Just make sure that you and your roommate set ground rules for mutual living space and individual space.