How To Pick A Collage Apartment
- 31.10.2018
- 1093
Going to college and being independent is a thrilling experience. However, it is crucial to know how to go about choosing where you will live for the year. This might sound nerve-wracking, but Québec City Long Distance Moving Company has some tips to share on what to think of to help you out.
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Rent and fees
The biggest determinant of where to live has to be the rent. Students are generally given different types of paying plans such as monthly, per semester or for the whole year, and they then pick the one that works. Apart from that, there are other charges such as application fees and security deposits which have to be budgeted for.
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Utilities
Zones vary when it comes to how much money basic utilities such as gas or electricity are priced. Some apartments add these charges to the rent while others require you to pay separately. Therefore it is good that you research properly on how the bills will add up before settling.
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Lease agreement
One critical thing to know is if your lease is individual or joint, as these are the two common types when it comes to college houses. For an individual one, everyone living in the room signs their document and has to pay their half of the bills. The advantage is that you won’t be held accountable for your roommate if they break something or is late to pay the rent. On the downside, it costs slightly more than a joint one.
For a joint lease, you will both sign the papers together, and instead of paying individually, there will be a set amount that you can split. The pro is that it is cheaper than an individual one, but the con is that you are both equally held accountable if anything goes wrong.
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Amenities
These depend on the apartment as some of them may offer varied amenities. Nonetheless, some general ones may cut across the board, and now it’s your choice on which apartment you feel gives the best of what you need. These include:
- Washer and dryer (some in each room while others have a common area)
- Dishwasher
- A gym
- Tanning
- Pool or hot tub
- Roommate matching if one doesn’t have a partner yet
- Pet-friendly
- Private bathrooms
- Air conditioning
- Covered parking
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Parking
Ask on what the parking policies are. Some communities have designated parking spots, and you do not want to clash with anyone over this. The downside of this would be if guests need parking and end up leaving their cars at a distance, but also you want to be sure that you won’t have to always hustle for a spot.
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Location and transportation
If the abode is near the school, it is most likely that it will cost slightly more. However, if you pick one that is some distance away, then you need to check if there is a bus stop that you can use to get to campus. Some areas have free transport to and from the school which can save a lot of money in the long run.
Check also if there is an active social scene, entertainment and places to shop. It does not matter if you have a vehicle, bike or use the bus, such places are crucial aspects to consider as you will most likely be going to them often.
The biggest concern for students is usually how much money will go into paying for where they reside, and all the above add up the cost. Know what to priorities and then search for areas that work within your financial capabilities.
We recommend you to read “Being Prepared For University Costs” and “Going To A Different City After Graduation?”.