5 Big Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Student Housing

Being in the first year at a university can be somewhat overwhelming. You are forced to interact with a bunch of people you’ve never met, find a roommate you can get along with and get on track with your studies. One thing you have to do is to settle in and that’s starts with getting suitable accommodation for yourself. You should never rush into finding student housing or you’ll make major mistakes that you might regret. Here’s a few mistakes to avoid when choosing student accommodation in your area.

1.      Choosing the wrong roommate

Take your time when deciding whom you are going to live with. If you have an option of choosing a roommate, find one that you can get along with. Living with someone 24/7 can be difficult especially if they have certain habits you cannot stand. Avoid anyone who is messy or doesn’t consider you when it comes to communal living.

2.      Living with too many people

Deciding how many people you want to live with is just as important as choosing a suitable roommate. The number of people you are going to share the apartment with will impact your house search and the type of accommodation you choose. Remember there is the cost involved as well as your comfort at stake. If you choose more than 2 roommates, be prepared to have very little privacy in your apartment. However, this could be a suitable option if you really want to cut down on accommodation costs.

3.      Looking for accommodation at last minute

A lot of students make the mistake of searching for suitable housing at the very last minute. What happens is that they end up paying a lot more for a below average housing and settling for the wrong roommates. You need to start planning early for your accommodation if you want to have good options to choose from. Most importantly, don’t rush into signing a lease for the first house you see simply because it seems to have a good price. There’s a lot more to consider when it comes to student accommodation other than just the price.

4.      Failing to perform adequate background checks

Most students rush into choosing accommodation before conducting the necessary background checks. They end up in houses that are poorly maintained, insecure or too expensive. Do whatever you can to find as much information as possible about any housing option before you settle for it. Find out whether it is in a secure neighborhood and ensure it has been properly maintained. Take your time before you settle for housing especially if it’s your first year in college.

5.      Paying too much for student housing

Student housing should never cost much. There are so many ways that you can save and still enjoy a comfortable living environment while on campus. For instance, you can lease a full house and share the cost among a group of friends. You get to enjoy communal living and still feel like home. It’s wise to save up some money while in school and avoid the kind of splurging that would put you in early debt.

Posted by: Hayden Commons  http://haydencommons.net/