However, not every college student has enough money to spend on lavish accommodation or the options for housing York University or whichever university you’re off to can provide. If you’re like the majority of undergrads, you may have to pinch pennies or even take jobs after school to help pay for rent and utility bills. Fortunately, there isn’t a shortage of student housing and accommodation you can look into no matter what your budget is. You just have to learn how to find the right one for you. Here are a few steps you can follow:
Narrow Down Your Choices Based On Your Desired Location
Yes, you know the exact location of your university, but it wouldn’t be practical to search the entire city or town for student housing. You should start by narrowing down your options based on the specific areas or neighborhoods you’re keen on staying in, and then think about their pros and cons. Would you be willing to ride the metro every day in exchange for cheaper rent? Or would you rather live in a more costly unit across the block but be able to walk to your classes every day? Typically, this is a matter of preference and budget range. But be certain that, above anything else, the location you’re after is student-friendly and part of a good community. It’s not worth sacrificing safety just to save a few bucks on your monthly rent.
Look For Shared Accommodation Options
If you’re really low on budget, you don’t mind living with others, or you may have high school friends who are going to the same college as you, then it won’t hurt to look for shared accommodation options. When you’re sharing a flat, a dormitory room, or even a rental house with other students, you can significantly save on rent and utilities. Plus, you don’t have to be all alone if you’re the type who enjoys socializing and being in the presence of others.
Assess Your Budget
There’s no uniform way to go about this as every student has their own budget range based on how much rent they can afford. Do remember that your monthly rent isn’t the only expense you’re going to cover. You also have to pay for utilities, food, books, and school supplies, among others. So it’s best to stay within your budget when it comes to accommodation. As a student faced with many challenges, you should prioritize completing assignments and passing your exams. It can be stressful and difficult to focus on school when you’re also faced by the problem of how you’re going to come up with next month’s rent. To help you along this line, here are some questions you may want to answer to determine the student housing budget you should be aiming for:
What area of the city or specific location can you afford to stay in?How much can you spend on furnishing? Will your parents help you out?Are you receiving any form of student financial aid?
Take Note of Property Flaws
Once you have a list of potential student housing options, don’t be too preoccupied with their best features and end up forgetting about one important factor: their flaws. The last thing you want is to go for what you thought was the right accommodation only to find out later on that there are problems with the unit or building you’ve overlooked. Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are many housing options out there with good facilities and minimal flaws, if not none at all. So thoroughly research each prospective accommodation and inspect the place and the surrounding areas. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the landlord or property manager any questions you may have in mind. Remember that comfort is a crucial factor to take into account so you can focus on studying. If you’re not careful about your decision, the problems with your accommodation may prevent you from performing well in school. There’s no point in paying less for student housing if your grades are negatively affected by your living conditions.
Conclusion
Apart from tuition fees, housing is one of the biggest expenses that students (and their parents) have to deal with once they’re off to uni. The challenge here is to be able to select the most suitable option for your circumstances. If you’re extra careful during the search process and if you try the tips above, you’re going to come across good accommodations that fit your budget.
