Deciding to move off campus and rent your first apartment can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know how to go about it. There are many things to consider, so this article will lay out the most important tips for new renters.
Finding or choosing a roommate
Although living alone is definitely an option, it can be a bit difficult financially as a college student. You could try to live with some friends or opt for the “random roommate” route.
The first tip is to talk to your friends and see if any of them are considering living off campus. Living with someone you know well and are comfortable with can help alleviate some of the nerves surrounding getting an apartment. If you find a friend who wants to live off campus, have a conversation about what you both want in an apartment, such as number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, in-unit washer and dryer and more.
What if none of your friends want to live off campus, but you’re still set on getting an apartment? You can opt for a random roommate instead!
A tip to finding a roommate is to use social media. There are groups on Facebook specifically for finding housing and roommates in certain areas, including Moscow. Join one of those groups and see who else is also looking for a roommate. Reach out to people whose ideals seem to line up with yours and then try to get together to talk about things and determine if you’d be a good fit for roommates.
What not to do
The first tip for renters is: don’t live out of your means. It can be compelling to choose a nice and fancy apartment for your first one, but you need to be sure that it’s affordable above all else. Many people’s first apartment has its own quirks and isn’t anything super fancy, but it’s affordable and works well with their needs and their lifestyle; try to choose something that checks those boxes for you.
The next tip is: don’t be late on rent. Ideally, you’ve chosen a place that is affordable, so be sure that you’re on top of your rent payments. Set a reminder on your phone or write down in your calendar when rent is due so that you can pay it on time. This applies to other bills as well. If for some reason you will be late on paying rent, be sure to communicate with your landlord/property management company.
The next tip is: don’t break the rules set by your company/landlord. This may seem self-explanatory, but it’s still very important. If you break the rules, you may incur fines or even get evicted, if the offense is high enough. Be respectful to your landlord and the rules that they put in place. If you’re unsure about a rule, don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for clarification!
The next tip is: don’t be rude or disrespectful to your neighbors. Don’t encroach on their personal spaces or their apartment’s property. If you want to have a lot of friends over, try to have them carpool instead of taking up 10 parking spaces in the shared lot. Just remember to be mindful that this is still a shared space in certain areas and be respectful of your neighbors. Also be sure to be aware of your noise levels at certain times of the day/night. Many apartments don’t have explicit “quiet hours,” but following the city of Moscow’s established quiet hours is good practice.
How to decorate
Decorating your first apartment— or any apartment for that matter— is a really fun experience! However, remember that although this place feels like yours, it’s not technically “yours.” Try to avoid any unnecessary damage to the apartment when you decide to decorate.
The first tip is to use “renter-friendly” supplies, such as tacks and Command tape/hooks. These are great alternatives to using nails/screws, which will put visible holes in the wall and could jeopardize you getting your deposit back.
The next tip is to decide how you want to decorate. What style and vibe are you going for? Looking on Pinterest and TikTok is a great way to gather inspiration for what you want your apartment to look like.
The next tip is to utilize thrift stores and second-hand options. Once you’ve nailed down the aesthetic that you want, take a trip to the local thrift stores before you browse Amazon. Not only will you find better deals, it’s also more environmentally friendly. Facebook Marketplace is another good option for finding cheap, second-hand items.
Choosing to rent an apartment may seem scary and much more multi-faceted than living in the dorms, but these tips will help you navigate through some of the aspects of apartment living!
Brooklynn Jolley can be reached at [email protected].