It’s a moment any college graduate will remember forever: that feeling of “This is it. I’m done. When I walk across that podium and receive my diploma, I will be finished with college.”
Depending on one’s experience, that feeling can be full of regret or joy. Hopefully college was an enriching, fun time and not a place you wanted to escape from. But either way, it all adds up to the same conclusions: No longer will you be a student at the student union, sitting in the student section at sporting events isn’t an option, and you won’t be getting free cover on slow nights at the bar with a valid student ID.
It’s time to move on. If, for example, you went to Ohio State, it’s time to look for Columbus, Ohio apartments. Forget about cramming six guys into a gutted old house, tripping over discarded beer cans. Women, you don’t need to share a bathroom with a swarm of other females, elbowing each other for mirror space. You’ve earned your independence. Now go and enjoy it.
However, that independence doesn’t come without a price. Several factors come into play, such as how many bedrooms do you want? Or better yet, need. While a second bedroom provides more variety for uses or extra storage space, it raises the rent exponentially. Is a separate video game room really necessary, or can you slide the Xbox under the TV stand when a girl comes over? A writer’s den is a fine thing, but a nook in the corner with a desk and a light also gets the job done.
Location, location, location. How many times have you heard that? But like many clichés, there is a ring of truth to it. Commuting time to your job or favorite stores is a factor to consider. Maybe Peter can happily travel miles in his car, drumming on his steering wheel to tunes from his car speakers, while Paul will go insane if he’s not at his destination within minutes. Which one are you?
Location also determines a percentage of your rent. New, high-end, luxury areas will always cost more than older, stoic buildings. Proximity to desired locations and trendy hot spots will also cost a pretty penny. Trying to budget, you may want to consider how far away you can stand to be from your desired place. After that, it depends on your tastes and pocketbook to figure out what you can afford.
Best advice of all when trying to locate a new apartment is to stay within your means. If you dream of something better, don’t worry, it will come with time. You’re just starting out—don’t start off on the wrong foot and bury yourself in a load of debt.
