Adulting: Living Off-Campus for the First Time

Hello everyone! 

I am back at school for the fall semester, which means I will be posting new blog posts for your viewing pleasure. I hope you will find this new batch of blog posts informative and helpful. 

After spending three years and thousands of dollars living on Ohio Northern University's campus, I was finally able to apply for off-campus housing. However, with this new living situation came new responsibilities, some of which I was not quite prepared for. I am going to share some of my experiences with you guys so that you will hopefully know what to expect when you are finally able to get your own place. Whether you plan on living on your own or have roommates, here are some tips for when you are looking for a place to rent.

One important thing for college students to note when looking for an off-campus house or apartment is that it is not going to be perfect. In college towns, landlords likely have several properties they are tending to at any given time. When renting properties, their goal is to make as much money as they can. This is not to say that your landlord is not a nice person, just that they aren't likely going to spend thousands of dollars renovating after each group of students leaves. This means that you'll likely encounter some unique patch works in the houses and apartments you look at. This is alright! You do not need your house to have a perfect paint job or a brand-new dishwasher. What is important is functionality. Do all the major appliances work? Will this space work for you and your individual needs? Remember, you will be paying to stay in this place, so make sure it is somewhere you will be comfortable staying for the school year, but do not expect it to be perfect. There may be places you have to compromise a bit. One example in my house is the kitchen. My kitchen has a variety of different appliances that do not match. We have a white refrigerator and a black refrigerator. This makes them look a little out of place where they are, but they both work perfectly. My roommates and I are able to use both refrigerators and the freezers in each of them both works. This gives us lots of space to work with.  

While I am not saying that you should rent a disgusting and unsafe apartment, I am saying that you will likely need to lower your expectations when looking. Your goal should be to find a place that costs less than your university's housing. Do not think of it as finding a new home to live in for the rest of your life. There are plenty of college houses and apartments out there that will meet your needs and get you through the school year.

Good luck out there!