Choosing an Off-Campus Apartment or House

So the time has come. You have finally stepped up and out of the cramped dorms to living on your own off-campus. Where will you live? Here are some tips for selecting the perfect off-campus dwelling.

Establish Priorities and Goals

• Do you want to throw parties?
• Do you want to attend parties?
• Will you spend every weekend at the bars?
• Are you looking for access to the city?
• Do you want to have some peace and quiet?
• Barbecue?
• Sit out in the sun?
• Play catch?
• Do you need to be close to campus?
• Do you want to risk your life walking home at night?
• All of the above?

Make sure you know exactly what you want in the coming year. This will determine what place to rent.

With Whom are You Going to Live

This question is just as important as where you will live. Having roommates cuts down on rent and other costs, and can be fun and exciting. However, you do not want to get to the point where you are losing friends over rent payments, dirty bathrooms, or late-night noise. living with someone is obviously much different than just attending class with them, so choose wisely.

Consider:

• Can each person pay rent for the year?
• What activities does each roommate enjoy?
• Are they studious or are they partiers?
• Are they clean or dirty? -Remember that every house needs at least one neat freak, or every member has to be on the clean side. Or, every member has to be impervious to disgusting messes and insect infestations. Otherwise, fights will ensue. Trust us.
• Are your roommates supportive of you? Spiteful? Indifferent?

The house will take on the personality of its tenants, so choose wisely.

Party House

For the house in question, consider:

• Can you separate party and personal space?
• Are there multiple entrances/exits to the party space?
• Where are the bathrooms in relation to the party space?
• Is there room for a bar?
• For a dance floor?
• Is there an escape room where people can sit and chill for a bit?
• What are the floors like?
• What is clean-up of spills and party messes going to be like?
• Will your landlord make you pay for party messes?
• How close are your neighbors?
• Who are your neighbors? Students? Families? Businesses?
• Is the house close to other students?
• Is it in an area that is safe at night?
• Are there any cool features that would make the place a destination for partiers?
  • Great Basement
  • Great Bar
  • 2-Floor Party Space
  • Dance Floor
  • Outdoor Party Space
  • Lots of Space
  • Dancing Pole
  • Wild Animals

Dig It?