Renting a home is a big decision that will greatly affect the lifestyle of a college student. College students must contemplate factors such as their budget, commute to work and school, community safety, and much more. Deciding on a place to live can be a difficult task. However, with the proper tools and research, the decision process can be simplified and less stressful.
How to determine your budget for rent.
All adults in a household must come together and figure out how much they can afford to pay in rent. That is, if you are looking to rent with others. If not, this process will be done based upon your own circumstances. Rent commonly does not include water, electricity, and cable bills. These expenses should also be taken into consideration along with the cost of food, gas, and car notes. Thoroughly look into your expenses and try not to leave a single thing out of your budget. Also, remember to budget in a portion of your income to save for emergencies such as, car trouble or a higher than normal utility bill.
Commute to work and school.
With the price of gas rising, many are looking into economical ways to save money on gas. Current college students are seeking areas to live where school or transportation is within walking distance. Public transportation can include the metro system, public bus or trains. When looking for a home, an evaluation of how far the walk is to your source of transportation is important. With the typical busy schedule of a college student, time is always of the essence. College students also have the option of looking into carpooling services. Carpooling can be a great method in saving money towards transportation to work and school.
Safety of Communities.
Prior to signing a lease, research the safety of your potential neighborhood. College students are commonly unaccustomed to living on their own without parental supervision and protection. Students need to be aware of their surroundings. A thorough exploration of the area will give students an understanding of how to prepare for any situation that may occur.
How to find apartments online.
ForRent.com is a great resource to find apartments online. The site is an efficient tool for college students to find specific results that relate to their individual household needs. ForRent.com gives you the ability to search by number of rooms, cost of rent, amenities, location, and much more. Specifically, ForRent.com gives the option to search for rental apartments within a close proximity of college campuses. This feature greatly serves college students that would like to be able to walk to campus. Searching for apartments online also provides renters the ability to look into neighborhood blogs with information on the satisfaction of current renters.
Photo: ChicagoGeek, Student Apartments