If you’re an incoming freshman, choosing the best type of student housing can make a significant difference in your college life. Student housing, unlike regular rentals, enables you to access student-friendly services, support networks, and mingle with other students. Student housing is also a more cost-effective option.

Types Of Student Housing

Generally, the two most popular types of student housing are dormitories and residence halls. These are usually found inside the campus. However, there are also student housing options that are found off-campus like American Avenue. They are also great options if campus dorms are not available.

Depending on what your budget and personal preferenceare, these are the categories of student housing you can choose from:

• University Dormitories

The simplest way to find a perfect place to live like a college student is to book directly through your college or on-campus accommodation. This typically takes the form of private or shared rooms in self-catered or catered halls.

The best thing about living on campus is that your classes will always be a short walk away. However, because of the residence’s communal nature, it’s a bit busy and full of other students.For freshmen, a university dorm is a common choice because it’s a simple way to meet other students. Plus, it offers students an experience of the traditional college lifestyle.

To get a room in on-campus dormitories, check out your university’s website and determine if the space is right for you.

• Private Student Housing

Shared apartments are a good choice if you like to live communally with some students (or your close friends), but with more independence and flexibility than university dorms. If you’re the type of student who wants more privacy, you can find a studio or an apartment along with some close friends that you can share the rent with. Private housing is typically situated off-campus, providing you a whole new place to explore.

What To Consider Before Choosing A Student Housing

Although it can be difficult to pick the right one, there’s always a perfect student housing suited for your needs and personal preferences.However, before you finalize your decision, make sure to take note of these things:

1. Security

   Since the student housing will be your sanctuary throughout your college years, you’ll be keeping your personal belongings here. Depending on your daily schedule, you might be leaving cash, laptop, and other valuable things at any point in time. With this in mind, one of the things you should take into consideration is the overall security of the place.

   Before you pay for the lease and sign a contract, spend more time checking the security of your prospective housing. Check if there are security cameras around the property and if their locks are secure enough. It’s also essential to ask if there are security guards who will patrol from time to time. The more security measures, the better.

2. Bathroom

   The bathroom is probably the most non-negotiable aspect for students. So, before you finalize your decision, check the bathroom and try to use the toilet to know if it’s working and in good condition. Besides, you might not want to use a plunger all the time just to de-clog it. Most importantly, make sure that the bathroom is well-maintained. Many students will share this area, so it’s important that it is kept clean and sanitized.

3. Internet Connection

   Having a stable and fast internet connection is necessary for college students. You’ll probably need an internet connection 24/7. It’ll be essential for researching assignments and completing papers. Internet connection is also crucial for students who would want to constantly communicate with their families. Thus, when choosing student housing, always check if the property has a stable internet connection and if you need to pay an additional fee for it.

4. Cost

   As a student, you might not have a lot of money to spend on housing, so you should ensure that you think about the overall cost. If possible, have a budget in mind and determine how much you can afford. If you would spend more on your student housing, make sure that it’s worth the investment and has everything you need.

5. Location

   The property’s proximity to your campus is a critical deciding factor. Cheap student housing that would require you to travel for an hour or somay cause a lot of additional expenses and stress.

   If your budget allows, pick the nearest student housing from your campus. Other than being convenient, you get to have more time to study because you don’t have to worry about long commutes or travel time. It’s also more convenient and cost-efficient if you have some idle time in-between classes.

6. Accessibility To Essential Services

   Check if there are laundry services, gyms, cafeterias, or study areas that you can use near the housing location. This isn’t much of a problem if you’re staying on a campus dorm, but it would be an issue if you are living off-campus. So, make sure you pick a location that is accessible to essential services and establishments

7. Roommates

   If you’re going to stay with other students in the same house, it’s always crucial to choose your roommates wisely. Living with close friends or classmates who have the same schedule or course as you would be a good idea. It’s important to share a space with people you trust because your personal belongings are also going to be at risk.

   With that in mind, take note of your living preferences and try to look for roommates with the same preferences as yours or someone willing to respect your living styles. In a bigger shared house, it could be hard to communicate with your roommates, but it’ll be helpful to address any problem that may arise if you’re both on good terms.

8. Activity Areas

   During your college life, it’s never a bad idea to have fun and make the most of your experience. So, when looking for student housing, choose a place with activity areas where you can hang out with your closest friends and relax after exams.

   These areas may be something like a small gym, café, or a basketball court.If the property doesn’t have any activity areas, ask if there are nearby places where you can visit that can help you destress and enjoy some free time.

9. Rent Inclusions Or Hidden Costs

   Not all landlords have your interests in mind. More often than not, some landlords take advantage of naïve students by hiding fees until the contract has been signed. If you don’t want this to happen, make sure that you ask about the exclusions from your monthly rent.

   If you found a student housing that comes at a very low price, you might wonder if that’s too good to be true. Well, it may be the real deal but in most of these cases, the monthly bills aren’t included yet.

   If you're planning to live in on-campus accommodation, it’s not something you’ll need to worry about because rent will typically come with internet and bills included.However, if you prefer private accommodation, check if the bills are included in your rent and if not, you need to ensure how much they are every month.

10. Read The Contract

    While it’s easy to skip the contract, reading and understanding the terms and conditions can save you a lot of headaches and misunderstandings later on. Be sure to determine if there’s a security deposit and check if there are hidden fees, as mentioned above.

    If you want something included in your rent and you haven’t read it in your contract, never hesitate to ask. This way, you’ll know whether or not the student housing is right for you. Moreover, you’ll also avoid unnecessary expenses or shocking bills in the long run.

    Also, make sure that your deposit is placed in a protection scheme by your landlord. Take note of the clemency period, length of the lease, move-in or move-out dates, and the utilities included.

    Lease breakage charges are also essential to take note of, so you’ll know what to expect. If you’re living with roommates, determine if the fees will be shared or charged individually. If possible, ask your parent to go over the contract as well so they can add their insights.

11. Convenience

    When selecting the best possible student housing, be sure to look into the conveniences, such as affordable eating options, supermarkets, police stations, medical services, and so on.With these conveniences, you can be assured that you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money whenever you’re out to get food or go shopping. You’ll also have peace of mind, knowing that there are emergency services nearby.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right student housing for you won’t only make your college life more convenient. You’ll be able to meet new people, make memories, enjoy new opportunities, and improve your overall student life as well. Aside from the cost of the housing itself, it’s important to take note of the location, amenities, community, cleanliness, and the security of the place.