PROCESS ESSAY (Finding an apartment)

Essay by Matteo Quadrifoglio

Finding an apartment by yourself can save you a lot of money.

First of all you need to set a limit to your budget. This is the most important thing to do before looking for an apartment. For instance, if you bring home $1,000 monthly you should not exceed over 40% of the total budget for the rent. Remember that in this percentage you should also consider the price for the utility bills (for example water, electricity, and internet).

The next step is to decide if you want to live on campus or off campus. Probably, because of your low budget, the best choice is to do it by yourself looking for an off campus solution. Usually this solution can save you a lot of money, but at the same time you need to pay attention to some little, but significant, particulars. Living off campus has a lot of benefits (you have more independence, you can cook by yourself in your own kitchen, you can choose your roommates) but you also need to look for a furnished apartment close to the university or a bus stop, not far from a supermarket and, if you want to go out during the night, not far from pubs or restaurants.

Did you set all your preferences? Well, now is time to find the apartment. Where? Obviously on the web! Online, in fact, there are a lot of well organized websites that could help you to find the best solution for you. Probably, the best web resource is craigslist.com (but there are others good solutions such as apartmentfinder.com).

Then make sure you understand the lease, because it is a contract. Talk with the landlord and ask him everything you need to. Unfortunately there are no tips about this topic because there are a lot of different leases. So, read the lease carefully!

Another tip: try to visit as many apartments as you can. I know that this could be frustrating but this is not a waste of time; keep in mind that this research can save you a lot of money during the next months.

Finally, take notes while you are visiting apartments. Make also a list and try to get the answers to these simple questions:

1. Can you afford the apartment? In other words, is it in your budget?

2. Is it in good conditions?

3. Is it close to the college or near a bus stop?

4. Is it near a supermarket?

5. Is it furnished?

6. Is the bathroom shared?

7. Is there a washer and dryer?

8. Did you read the lease carefully?

9. And again: did you read the lease carefully?

Good luck!