{"id":25690,"date":"2023-05-31T19:18:23","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T19:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solutionhow.com\/?p=25690"},"modified":"2023-09-28T17:52:14","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T17:52:14","slug":"renting-as-a-college-student-advice-to-finding-off-campus-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solutionhow.com\/en-us\/education\/renting-as-a-college-student-advice-to-finding-off-campus-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"Renting as a College Student: Advice to Finding Off-Campus Housing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"college

college student<\/p><\/div>\n

Becoming a college student suddenly comes with a load of new responsibilities, one of which includes living independently from your family. The transition from living at home to being out on your own is a huge adjustment and renting an apartment for the first time is on top of the pile.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a college student, you\u2019re most likely a first-time renter too. In that case, you might have many questions and concerns about finding off-campus rentals. As you leave your family, you\u2019ll understand many things will change in your life. You\u2019ll have to find out how to pay bills on your own, do your laundry, live with other people, cook for yourself, and more.<\/p>\n

The rental market is constantly increasing due to demand, especially since approximately\u00a08.6 million students need rental housing close to campus. That said, you need to be cautious about the type of rental you want to rent and its location.<\/p>\n

It may seem an intimidating process, but there are some tips you can use to help get your boxes in the door.<\/p>\n

Define Your Budget<\/h2>\n

Finding a proper rental for college comes with many challenges, but the first thing you should learn is to set up a budget and work around it. That said, you should separate your needs from your wants. For example, there are essential costs such as food, water, electricity, utilities, and other services; and there are additional services that you can set aside for now.<\/p>\n

A common rule you can follow is the\u00a050\/30\/20 rule<\/a>, meaning 50 percent of your monthly income is toward needs, 30 percent toward wants, and 20 percent toward savings. Note that the rent, especially for college students, shouldn\u2019t be more than 30 percent of your income. For example, if you make $1,000 a month, you should pay around $300, and no more.<\/p>\n

As a student, your income is likely to be limited, so you want to establish your budget carefully and think about upfront expenses, such as:<\/p>\n