Considering Your Housing Needs

     Careful evaluation of your housing needs and options is a vital part of the housing search process. Choosing the right option to meet your financial, geographic, and personal needs can lead to a rewarding experience. However, overlooking even one detail in your search can result in a lease-long inconvenience or uncomfortable personality conflicts. Nobody wants to make the mistake of spending a lot of money in vain. It is helpful to start with some initial guidelines; however, be prepared to reevaluate your choices as you encounter the housing market. Consider the following choices in your initial evaluation:

• What rental price range fits your current and future budget? Have you considered the cost of utilities in your estimate?
• How close do you prefer to live to school/job? Have you considered a location close to public transportation?
• Have you considered transportation costs in your initial budget?
• Is privacy a primary concern or do you prefer to share a living arrangement and costs?
• What are your working habits and class schedule? Late? Early?
• Do you want access to a kitchen? Is there a washer and dryer in the home or facility?
• Do you prefer a furnished arrangement?
• Are amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, exercise facilities, or balconies important to you?
• What type of accommodation best suits your needs? A room in a private home, one-bedroom apartment, a shared apartment or a room in a student-shared house or townhouse?
• Is the option to have pets important to you?
• How long do you need housing? What do you know about a lease?