Tips for Finding Off-Campus Housing

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Tips for Finding Off-Campus Housing
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• Most students start off excited about the
  prospect of searching for an apartment but they
  quickly realize that its no easy process. Adding
  to the pressure, you have to be sure that you are
  making the right choice before you lock yourself
  into a year-long lease. This can be difficult,
  especially if you have never looked for housing
  before. However, approaching your search with a
  plan will increase your chances of success.

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1. Start Your Search Early

• All the other students at your university who
  also want to live off campus will be interested
  in the same properties as you. Housing at the
  best prices and in good locations is always
  snapped up first. Instead of beginning your
  search right before school starts up, look early
  in the summer before you become too busy with
  exams.

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2. Pick Your Roommates

• Renting an entire apartment for yourself will
  likely be prohibitively expensive. The more
  people you share with, the lower the costs bear
  in mind, youll be able to split utilities as
  well as rent. Talk to your friends to find out
  who has a similar budget to you and form a group
  to search for housing together.

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3. Consider a Sublet

• If this is your first year at university, you
  might not have anyone that you know and that you
  could share with. A better option may be to find
  a room in a home. The off-campus housing service
  at your university might be able to help you find
  suitable listings.

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4. Find a Student-Friendly Apartment

• Some landlords offer housing just for students.
  Such apartments are more likely to meet your
  needs, such as in rates and rental terms.

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5. Sign a Lease

• Whoever you do end up renting from, you must
  sign a lease. This will protect you and ensure
  that you do have housing for the entire school
  year.

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6. Dont Consider On-Campus Housing a Backup Plan

• You may think that if you are unable to find
  suitable off-campus housing, you can always apply
  for a room on campus as your fallback plan. In
  fact, university campuses are often fully booked
  and even have wait lists by spring.

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• Cut your search for an apartment short by
  choosing student off-campus housing like West
  Village Suites. Our student rooms for rent are
  all-inclusive suites just steps from McMaster
  University. Best of all, our roommate matching
  service means theres no need for you to find
  people who you want to live with beforehand.