If you are just about to head to college, you might be
considering living off-campus for whatever reasons. Or it could be that you
cannot find accommodation on-campus and have been left with no choice but to
find student housing outside of campus. If you are in such a predicament,
knowing what to look out for when choosing student housing is important. Here
are the things that should matter:
Location and ease of access
You want student housing that is conveniently located to
allow you get to classes easily and at the same time access social amenities
such as restaurants with minimal hassle. The last thing you want is to spend
the best years of your college experience doing hour-long commutes. Not only
will you miss out on many hours of sleep, your social life will be compromised
as well.
Security
It is paramount that the student housing you choose
guarantees your security and that of your property at all times. Make sure you
check to see whether there are security features that have been put in place to
ensure that no unauthorized persons (read, security threats) get through the
gates of the housing community. Surveillance cameras and key-controlled access
are features that every student housing community worth its name should have.
Leases
The best student housing is the one that offers flexibility
as far as leases are concerned. No one wants to be forced to co-sign on a lease
unless that is what they had been planning. It is therefore necessary to go for
those housing communities that offer individual leases.
Privacy
You have a right to your privacy, and it should continue
even after you have enrolled for college/university. Be sure to check the layout
of the student housing and the measures that have been put in place to ensure
every student gets the privacy they need. If you have to share rooms against
your wish, you might want to look elsewhere. And this also goes for the type of
fencing that has been used for the housing community. Does it allow outsiders
plenty of view inside? Are you okay with this? These are questions that you
must answer honestly.
Parking spaces
There should be plenty of parking space for the students
living in the housing community, to prevent conflicts and avoid wastage of
time. Bike racks should also be provided for those who use this alternative
means of transport. The idea here is to make the lives of the students living
here as easy as possible, and you should make sure steps have been taken to
ensure this.
Common areas
Common areas such as outdoor kitchens and swimming pools
should be provided to enable socialization, especially during those warm months
when staying indoors is almost impossible. Remember that college is not just
about books, but building relationships and networks too. It is therefore
necessary to go for a student housing community that recognizes this fact, and
works towards enabling it.
At the end of the day, it is you, the student, who decides
what type of housing is best for you. However, with these useful tips, the
process of narrowing down to the best student housing will become much easier.
Posted By: Hayden Commons http://haydencommons.net/
Posted By: Hayden Commons http://haydencommons.net/
