4 Keys to Choosing the Perfect Student Housing
University life is all about living independently for the first time from your parents. It’s the perfect opportunity to prepare yourself for the real world, especially since your collegiate experience opens up new connections and helps you develop the skills you need to succeed in life. Achieving that would mean ensuring you find yourself in a safe and engaging community throughout your stay.
Choosing the best type of student housing contributes to your overall success. You will want to stay somewhere that helps you focus on your academics and lets you build a lifestyle you will end up adopting once you graduate. It could get challenging because affordable student housing options are hard to come by but applying the tips below should give you an edge in finding the right place for your needs:
1. Think about location and accessibility
The first thing you will need to keep in mind is whether the accommodation is located near your campus. You would be fortunate enough to reserve a spot at one of the university’s on-campus dormitories or student halls but there’s a good chance you will be forced to seek out housing in the outskirts. When you’re shopping around for apartments off-campus, come up with a shortlist of possible options that provide the nearest route to the university.
Communities that offer walkable distances are ideal so you might want to start searching there. If you have no choice but to seek out housing a little farther away from campus, make sure the apartment you’re renting offers convenient accessibility to subway stations and bus stops.
2. Consider how much you can afford
Even if you applied for a university scholarship covering a portion of your monthly rent, you should look for student housing that won’t eat into your budget. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a higher amount for an apartment that’s complete with the lifestyle amenities you want.
You should also expect to pay extra if you’re living in a community close to the university. For this, you only need to work around your budget and use that as the basis for making your pick. That way, you can avoid living in an apartment that’s too expensive, forcing you to sacrifice a large portion of your daily allowance just to extend your stay.
3. Choose based on your lifestyle
If your finances aren’t much of a constraint, you may have more freedom to choose student housing that aligns with all your lifestyle needs. You just have to come up with a good idea of what an ideal college community looks like based on what’s comfortable and convenient for you.
If you lead an active lifestyle, you will want an apartment situated within a walkable neighborhood complete with lots of green spaces and lots of fitness amenities such as a gym, tennis court, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. On the other hand, if you prefer a more laid-back environment, opt for a neighborhood that’s far from the center of town and offers easy access to wooded areas.
4. Get the right help
Whatever it is you look for in your ideal type of student housing, it matters to reach out to people who can tour around the neighborhood and provide you with listings that match what matters most in your criteria.
Aside from connecting with listing agents, you can also go online for services that will help you refine your search. If you’re looking for a comfortable apartment within or around the University of Guelph in Ontario, check out ALMA Guelph for options that deserve to be shortlisted.
Endnote
Make university life more comfortable and flexible as you prepare yourself for the real world. Use these tips and find accommodations that are the right fit for you.