When one thinks of traditional college life, the universal image conjured by most people includes a bunch of students hanging out in a dorm. But dorms are expensive, and not every university can guarantee housing for all four years. Not to mention that dorms can be a breeding ground for a party atmosphere that makes studying difficult. Whatever the motivation is, many students are finding themselves opting to live in apartments and other forms of housing that aren’t affiliated with their university. Off-campus housing is now becoming a college norm.
I only spent one year living in campus housing, and my decision to rent an apartment in the city instead of staying in campus housing is one I’ve never regretted. But if I could go back and change one thing, it would be my inexperience. I went into this situation as a complete greenhorn, and through trial and error I was able to learn a lot. While no amount of advice can completely eliminate the stress of apartment hunting, I want to offer as much advice and help as I can.
So if the decision to live off-campus seems right for you, the first people you have to talk to are your parents. It’s important to know how involved they are going to be in this process. At the very least, encourage them to show their support by helping you look for an apartment. Make sure you have a clear understanding of why you want to leave the dorms, and find the best way to communicate this to your parents. Once you have an agreement worked out, it’s time to begin the process of finding an apartment in New York City.
By Alex Agahigian
Alex Agahigian was one of the Campus Clipper’s talented publishing interns, who wrote an e-book on how to find an apartment in NYC. Follow our blog to read more chapters from Alex’s e-book and use her advice to make your own apartment-hunting more fun and easy. For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourage them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing and services.
At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful ebooks, we give them a platform to teach others. Follow each new blog post to read a chapter of our various books and to learn how the Campus Clipper can help you follow your dreams!
Stay tuned for more tips from Alex on apartment hunting, check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during last year’s Welcome Week.
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Tags: finding an apartment in NYC, housing advice, living off-campus, saving money on housing, student housing