Finding the right place to live is a very important part while studying in the United States. Renting is not only about quality of life, but also about financial costs and security. As it is known to us all, there are two different channels of housing rental, the private housing and the public student housing. Compared with private housing, public student housing should be the way of renting for most international students. So, how do international students rent the public student housing in the United States? Here we will introduce you the basic process and give some notes for renting.
1. Know the Room Types of Student Housing
Studio
Studio is generally semi-open with a living room and kitchen under a space. It is like the Loft concept. It is more suitable for living alone or as a couple. However, one of the biggest problems is that if you cook in the kitchen, the cooking smoke will be full of your whole studio.
1B1B
1B1B is called 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom. In the 1B1B, there are separate bedroom and living room, dining room and kitchen space, which can isolate part of the cooking smoke. Friends who prefer to live alone are perfect for this. In addition, it is also suitable for a couple.
2B2B/ 3B2B
2B2B means 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms. In 2B2B, Each bedroom has its own bathroom so as not to disturb each other. However, in 3B2B, the bedroom with greater space has its own bathroom and for the people living in the other two bedroom, they need to share the other bathroom. Nevertheless, no matter 2b2b or 3b2b, the whole house will have other Spaces such as living room, kitchen and dining room and it is one of the most suitable room type for sharing with friends.
2. Define your budget and needs
Budget
Determine the range of the rent you can afford each month according to your own financial situation. In addition to rent, there are other expenses to consider, such as utilities and Internet bills.
Location
Determine the location where you want to live, taking into account university, transportation and living convenience like restaurants, supermarkets, parks, etc..
Room Type and Facilities
Determine the room type and facilities you need, such as separate bedrooms, kitchen equipment, washing machines, etc..
3. Ways to Find Student Housing
Consult the University
The University will usually provide student housing guidance and resources. Therefore, students can directly go to the university’s International Student Office or International Student Service Center for help.
Recommendation by Classmates or Friends
Students can ask classmates or friends who have studied in the United States to learn about the student housing experience and recommend student housing rental websites or agencies.
Search via Google
Students can also use Google Maps to type apartment to see which houses are closest to your university, surrounded with restaurants or supermarkets, etc..
4. Check the quality of the chosen apartment in person
If you want to live well, the step of checking the quality in person should not be omitted. The most basic point of view is whether the furniture is complete, whether the room type is satisfied and so on. Then check whether the basic electrical appliances operate normally, whether there is a washing machine and dryer. Moreover, remember to check whether the basic electrical appliances equipped are old or not. If the equipment is too old, you can consult in advance whether you can replace it at the time of check-in. Meanwhile, it is also necessary to pay attention to whether the apartment is facing the street and whether the surrounding is noisy.
5. Sign the Contract
After determining the apartment, the next step is to sign the student housing rental contract. When signing a contract, you should pay attention to the following points:
First of all, the details of rent, deposit and other fees. For public student housing, we need to find out how much the monthly rent is and how many months’ deposit is required. Besides, check whether there can be a discount if you choose a longer lease period at one time. In addition, it is important to understand the calculation and collection methods of various expenses such as water, electricity, gas and garbage fees.
The second is about renewal of rent or rent refund. Before signing the contract, students need to know whether the lease can be renewed after the end of the lease period and how long in advance the renewal application needs to be submitted. Additionally, it is also necessary to know how the deposit is returned to you if you choose to cancel the lease on time. Moreover, remember to confirm the issue that if you choose to end the lease contract in advance during the contract period, how should you compensate and how much should you pay to end the contract.
We wish you will rent the comfortable and favorite student housing smoothly in the United States.
If you’re thinking about studying in the US, it’s crucial to find the right student accommodation. That’s where uhomes comes in. It’s a reliable platform that helps students like you find the perfect place to live in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and many other cities. So far, they’ve helped more than 55,000 students successfully find their dream homes.
FAQ
Two ways to return the deposit are by cheque or directly to the card. The refund is mailed in the case of a cheque, and the student must take it to the bank and pay it. This method is slower, but most flats choose this traditional way of refunding deposits.
The estimated cost of living in the USA for international students is about $1,000 to $2,000 per month. This includes your student housing costs, food, travel, textbooks, weather-appropriate clothing, and entertainment expenses as well.
In navigating the costs of student housing in Boston, it’s crucial to approach with a clear understanding that the investment is not merely in a place to stay, but in a lifestyle that fosters growth, learning, and community. The range of the cost is about from ＄1900 to ＄3500.
If you are interested in the United States study life. Please check following blogs!
