Studying Abroad? 7 tips on how to find the perfect apartment for you!

Stokepedia

Deciding to study abroad is a big deal, and there are tons of things you need to consider before you jet off. First and foremost, where the hell are you going to stay? Do you want to live in the lively, bustling city centre or in the green, leafy suburbs? Do you want to live alone or with friends? You could be looking for a room in a residence hall, a room in a shared apartment, a studio apartment for yourself or an apartment with friends. Finding the ideal home away from home can be tricky. Here are some tips from our friends at Study Abroad Apartments on how to go about finding your perfect accommodation.

1. Do your homework

It’s super important to do plenty of research and check out the vibe of your destination city. Browse the internet for information about the different neighbourhoods, where most students live, where’s reasonably priced and where’s most expensive, what the safest areas are… This comes in handy as you don’t want to spend your time desperately searching for something that doesn’t exist in the real world!

2. Location, location, location

One of the main things you should consider is which area of the city you want to live in. Location is dependant on so many aspects; do you want to live within walking distance to your university or internship, do you want to live in the same building as other students, do you want to be down the road from a cool bar you may have been recommended? If an apartment you are interested in is slightly further out, check where the public transport stops are. How will you get from A to B? Bear in mind some areas will be expensive and others less so. It’s best to decide in which area you want to live before starting to look for an apartment; you don’t want to end up a two-hour commute from your classes the other side of town from all your friends!

3. Set a budget

Ask yourself: how much do I want to spend on my accommodation? It’s super important to set a monthly budget to avoid any unpleasant surprises! Bear in mind not all apartments include utilities in the monthly rent; you may need to pay for wifi, gas, water and electricity on top of your rent. Make sure you read apartment descriptions carefully, calculate what you are willing to pay and ask any questions whenever unclear. You need to know what is realistic. Our friends at Study Abroad Apartments are always happy to answer any questions you may have on accommodation!

4. ..aaaand stick to that budget

Be sure to hunt for apartments within your budget. This will save you getting your heart set on apartments which are way out of reach. During your research, you will become familiar with what you can expect from your budget. There are tons of more affordable options out there and just think; any money you don’t spend on a luxurious apartment can go towards fun activities when you are abroad!

5. Discuss and ask questions

Talk to other students and people who have lived in your destination country or city before can make house hunting so much easier than going it alone! They’ll have all the insider knowledge about which areas are ‘up and coming’, what to avoid at all costs and just generally manage your expectations. Use these contacts wisely! Our friends at Study Abroad Apartments are always up for answering any questions you may have about accommodation as well!

6. Go with the flow

It can be difficult finding an apartment that fits your preferences perfectly, so you will need to be a bit flexible. If you don’t find something in your first search, don’t give up! There’s something out there for everyone and accommodation platforms like Study Abroad Apartments are constantly adding new options to their sites.

7. Don’t be too hesitant

Apartments can get booked up super quickly in the most popular student cities. Before you know it, the apartment you had your heart set on has been taken by another group! We totally understand you may not want to book something as soon as you come across it. You may need to liaise with your group or check stuff with your parents. It’s important to get the right balance between doing enough research and not hanging about too long. Just remember, there are other students just like you waiting for that perfect apartment too!

Our friends at Study Abroad Apartments are always pleased to help provide advice and suggestions throughout your housing hunt. Do sign up on their site and let them know what you’re looking for!