The time has finally come. You’re moving out of the dorms and into a student apartment that’s only a short distance away from campus. It’s a place entirely your own to decorate how you see fit. But there’s just one problem: you’ve never searched for an apartment before, and you want to ensure that you get one of the best apartments for student renters in the area. What’s a would-be student renter to do?
That’s where we come in. As a company with years of experience in dealing with Ohio University housing, we know a thing or two about what makes for the best student homes available to rent. Here’s what you should keep an eye out for when embarking on your rental quest for the first time.
Location, Location, Location
The first thing you’ll find out when hunting for a crazy good student rental home around the area is that location is, indeed, one of the biggest priorities. The best apartments for college students are the rental apartments that are conveniently located close to campus. Being close to campus is a huge life-saver, and you’ll without a doubt be counting your blessings with it many times in the future. You’ll spend less time making your way to class and more time sleeping in or squeezing in more study time for the upcoming final exam.
Then there’s the amenities. The rentals that are the best choice for college renters are also close by to grocery stores, restaurants, parks, gyms, or other services. Which in Athens is still the apartments for rent that are right around the corner from campus. Most of the apartments for student renters near Ohio University’s campus are situated around Court Street, which is Athens’ most happening part of town. You’ll find bars, restaurants, boutiques, and more in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Keep an eye out while you’re looking for spacious student rental apartments that come with parking. Off-street parking spots are the holy grail of renting in Athens. The law of the land is that any parked car on the street cannot remain in the same spot for more than 24 hours. Fail to move your car daily, and you’ll likely find a perfectly-placed ticket on your car. Thankfully, even if your rental doesn’t come with off-street parking, there are a handful of parking spots available for rent in Athens that are pretty close to campus.
Affordability
If you’re a student, chances are you don’t have a huge source of income pouring in. Affordable rental apartments for students can save you top dollar over the course of a full year. With all that money saved, you can treat yourself (or your friends) to drinks at your favorite bar, or you could save up to go on a weekend trip with friends to see the sights around Athens and the surrounding areas. Student rental homes that don’t break the bank with rent make for some of the best places to rent for students going to Ohio University. After all, you’re already paying an arm and a leg for tuition. Why pay more than you should for housing?
Single-bedroom apartments for rent will likely have a higher rent for one person than a single person’s share of rent for a two-bedroom rental home would be. If you’re determined to find a student apartment with cheap rent, it might be in your best interest to look into getting a roommate or two. Just make sure you’re all on the same page in regards to bills, chores, and more before signing the lease. Splitting the cost of rent and having roommates will almost always be cheaper than trying to find somewhere to live on your own. Sometimes, the best student rental homes in Athens are the ones that are worth their weight in gold—literally.
If you’re new to renting and living on your own, there are plenty of budgeting tools and apps out there that help you track your spending habits and identify key areas where you can save money.
Apartment Features
While the location and price are major factors in deciding the best apartments available to student renters, the features—that is, layout, appliances, room size, and more—is what most people are going to be particular about. And for good reason—you’ll be shacking up there for at least the next school year.
Take a look at floorplans, or if you’re local to Athens, tour the apartment in full. Make note of whether the layout makes functional sense. Is there enough counter space in the kitchen to cook and meal prep? Are the bedrooms big enough? Is there enough extra storage space in the apartment for all of your belongings? You’d be surprised at some of the oddities out there when it comes to apartment layouts in off-campus Ohio University housing.
Does the apartment you’re checking out have in-unit laundry? Whether it’s a shared facility, or if you have your own washer and dryer hookup, laundry is an essential part of life. Some of the best off-campus housing for OU students are the ones that come with their own laundry hookup. Otherwise, be prepared to spend time driving to and from one of the local laundromats.
With careful consideration, research, and a bit of searching around, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect student apartment that feels like home.