A Guide to Finding Housing for the Next Semester

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A Guide to Finding Housing for the Next Semester
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• Finding housing and making your own home is
  integral to the college experience. In fact, for
  many students, its considered a rite of passage
  an essential stop on the way to adulthood.

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• Yet, for first-time student housing hunters,
  finding a place can seem daunting. Fortunately,
  you dont have to go through the process on your
  own.

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• Getting help from others and learning a few tips
  will help make looking for housing simpler and
  even enjoyable. Discover some ways to become a
  savvy housing hunter below.

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• Create a Reasonable Timeframe
• If you want to find desirable housing, such as a
  room for rent near Niagara College, youll need
  to start looking well before your expected move
  date.

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• Generally, starting the search at least a month
  or two in advance affords you enough time to find
  a place and get your affairs in order. Its also
  easier to find an apartment or room before a new
  semester begins. By the time a semester starts,
  rentals have usually filled up in popular areas.
  To be extra cautious, if youre looking for a
  rental in an ideal location, you should start
  your search at least three months in advance.
  With a timeframe like this, you should be able to
  explore several options within your budget.

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• Define Your Wants and Needs
• Of course, its impossible to find the right
  housing if you arent sure what youre looking
  for. Thus, youll need a list of housing
  must-haves and priorities. This will help you
  focus your search and find the best-fit living
  space. Here are some basic factors and priorities
  to consider

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• Proximity of the apartment to campus and your job
  what is the commute like?
• Access to public transit
• Neighbourhood amenities, such as grocery stores,
  restaurants, banks, entertainment venues, and
  parks
• Budget-friendliness
• Apartment amenities, such as parking, a fitness
  centre, study and resident lounges, an outdoor
  area, and laundry facilities

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• Since budget is a major priority for finding
  housing, you should also create a list of the
  pros and cons of renting a furnished or
  unfurnished apartment. While both types of
  housing offer many benefits, making the right
  choice for your needs can save you money.

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• Search the Web
• Searching online is the fastest and most direct
  way to find housing. It can help you quickly
  narrow down your options and save time. Online
  descriptions and images of rental properties
  negate the need to tour every apartment or room
  that strikes your interest. If an apartment
  doesnt fit your wants and needs, just move onto
  the next.

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• Thus, you can narrow your list down to a few
  choices, and only tour those that truly meet your
  criteria. Rental websites and some school
  websites also offer the most up-to-date listings
  and access to housing as it becomes available.
  This is especially beneficial if you need to move
  in 30 days or less. You can even ask landlords
  questions and set up tours online.

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• Tour Apartments and Neighbourhoods
• Once youve found an apartment you like, the next
  logical step is to schedule a tour, which should
  also include a walk around the neighbourhood. Not
  only do you live in an apartment, you also live
  in the neighbourhood where the apartment is
  located. So, take some time to explore the areas
  of your prospective apartments. Walking around an
  area allows you to gauge its livability and
  walkability yourself. These tours will help you
  assess whether a rental truly fits your
  preferences and lifestyle.