Moving Off Campus Basics
Thinking of moving off campus and aren't quite sure where to begin? Becoming familiar with what living off campus entails is the best way to help ensure a successful housing search and rental experience.
What to consider before you move off campus:
Cost
Determining what you are able to afford to spend each month on rental related expenses is often the first step in the rental search process. It's important to remember to budget for not only monthly rent, utilities and groceries, but also additional expenses associated with living off-campus, such as laundry, transportation and furnishings. Use the Living Off-Campus Budget Worksheet to determine how much you are able to afford to spend on housing and related expenses before you start the housing search process.- Hint: Knowing which, if any, utilities are included in your rental agreement can help you create a more accurate monthly budget. Cold winter months in Scranton can begin as early as October and typically last through early April. Ask your landlord what type of heating mechanism the rental unit has (oil, gas, electric) and average monthly costs paid by previous tenants.
- Hint: It is also important to note that most rental leases are typically twelve month agreements. Students renting off-campus students will need to budget for rental costs during the summer months as well as during the academic year.
Location
- Consider proximity to campus, public transportation and amenities such as laundry, food markets and parking.
- Talk with peers who live off campus and get feedback on neighborhoods and streets you are considering.
Roommates
- Establish if you prefer to live alone or with roommates. If you decide to have roommates, determine how many people you are comfortable both sharing a rental unit and entering into a rental lease agreement with. Remember, a lease is a binding legal document and as such, roommates should be carefully selected.
