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Top 5 Amenities to Look for When Using Off-Campus Housing

While living on campus during the school year is convenient, it may not be the most cost effective. Off-campus housing often has much more to offer than a small dorm room. Below is a list of amenities to look for when looking for apartments that are located right outside the college you plan to attend.

Furniture

Is the apartment for rent fully furnished? Since the dormitories come with beds and dressers, you need to factor the furniture into the rental price to see if living off campus is worth it. Fortunately, many apartment buildings surrounding college campuses realize this fact and offer everything from beds to coffee tables. If you’re lucky, you might even find one with cutlery and utensils.

kitchens

In addition to a furnished apartment, you’ll want to look for a place that has a kitchen. Since you will be further from the school and its cafeteria, you will have to do most of your meals at home. Of course, preparing meals and snacks in your apartment is much more cost effective than eating out every day, even in a college food court.

utilities included

When you arrange to live in a dormitory, you get the use of the room and all the utilities associated with it for one price. Off-campus housing may or may not provide you with a monthly quote that includes utilities. Be sure to ask about this so you can get an accurate comparison of the full price of a bedroom versus a nearby apartment. Also keep in mind that it will be easier for a college student to pay one bill, versus three or four.

Wireless Internet Service

Does the apartment complex offer wireless internet service for its residents or does it have a cafeteria where you can access the internet for free? Maybe there is a shared lobby where young adults can sit with a laptop and connect. College students benefit from free Internet by being able to research for academic papers, verify their student accounts, and send emails home to communicate with family and friends.

Gym

Exercising at least 30 minutes per day is the best way to stay healthy and alert, so keep an eye out for an apartment building that has its own gym for residents to use regularly. After finding one, find out what hours the facility will be open. Will this schedule be frozen with your class schedule? Also, you will want to know what equipment is present in the gym. Are there weights? Do you have mats to stretch out on? Will you be able to choose between a treadmill and an elliptical trainer for your cardio workouts? Maybe they have an exercise pool that is easy on the joints.

The more amenities the off-campus housing facility offers, the fewer trips you’ll have to make to get things like meals, exercise, and class research. Once you find the perfect place at the right price, you can start your college career with a positive outlook.