Although it’s not always the case, many colleges and universities let their students stay in off-campus housing after their freshman year. Today, many students live in these accommodations in a typical year. Since these apartments are spread around the campus’ edges, it might be tough to decide on a proper location. To help, here are a few tips on how to pick the right neighborhood.
Talk to Other Students
One day, as your first year winds up, you’ll want to find the best Radford University off-campus student apartments. You can look at websites, but they don’t delve into specifics. In reality, the way to find solid student housing is to speak with your peers.
These people have first-hand knowledge of these residences. Either they live there or visit for a party or to meet a friend. They won’t sugarcoat details about the layout or management. Instead, they’ll let you know if the place is a good or bad location.
Drive or Walk Around the Neighborhood
Each off-campus neighborhood is unique. Some have dozens of shops, restaurants, and other businesses. Conversely, apartments in suburban housing developments may lack amenities and transportation.
You don’t know these facts until you drive or walk around the neighborhoods. Look for telltale signs of popularity like sidewalk cafes, clean streets, and well-kept buildings. These signify a comfortable area. On the other hand, you may need to avoid off-campus housing in locations with shuttered businesses and unkempt public areas.
Determine the Public Transportation Situation
College students rely heavily on public transportation since many don’t bring their cars. Without the means of campus or city buses, they run into problems getting to classes, jobs, and events. Thus, an off-campus apartment must have access to reliable public transportation.
The way to find this is to review schedules. Compare the off-campus housing location with the nearest bus or train stop. A few blocks walk is best, especially when the weather turns sour. Don’t consider housing more than half a mile away from a public transportation stop unless they offer their own shuttle service.
Ask to See a Real Apartment
Many apartment complexes show you a furnished model with every bell and whistle. While this gives you an idea of their top offerings, it doesn’t reveal what an actual residence looks like. So, ask to see a vacant apartment.
In doing so, you accomplish two things. First, you get the lay of the apartment for future consideration. Second, you discover how well the property management team handles maintenance. You can check for wear and tear on interior surfaces as well as potential odors and unaddressed rodent issues.
Check Crime Statistics
Sometimes, busy streets don’t always equal safe neighborhoods. There may be an underlying element that comes out at night or on weekends that makes an area uncomfortable. Hence, the reason you want to look at the local crime statistics.
Most government websites provide this information for free. Overall, it helps residents and businesses determine the best locations. Look for trends in these statistics. Does crime rise when school is in session, or is it at a low simmer throughout the year? These could determine the off-campus housing you choose.
Check its Noise Levels
Similar to crime, a quiet neighborhood during the day could become raucous at night with college bars and nightclubs. If you need to focus on your studies, this might not be the right environment. You want to find an area that features an even mix of the two.
Visit the neighborhood multiple times during the day to get an idea of noise levels. Stop in the area’s off-campus housing to determine the volume of street traffic. Go during an average night to discover the strength of business and crowd noises. You may realize the levels bother you or are reasonable.
Picking the right neighborhood for off-campus student housing takes some time. As seen above, there are several items to consider. It may take a few weeks to find a location with the right combination of amenities, public transportation, and quality of life. In the end, don’t give up on your search. You’ll eventually find off-campus housing to finish your education.
