How to foreign students find housing in America: 6 Tips

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After choosing a university in the USA it is very important to decide where you will live. Finding good housing in another city, not to mention another country, can be a daunting task. You need to find the perfect location and price that fits into your budget. You may want to live with other international students, or if you are waiting for an opportunity to explore the local culture and improve your language skills while living with American students, the choice is yours. There are more 900 000 international students in the US, and many of them face the same problems as you.

To soften the adaptation process, the resource Study in the usa prepared some tips for you.

1. Choose which student accommodation option suits you best.

There are a lot of options: from a common room with other students in a university dormitory to a private apartment. The choice of type of accommodation, as a rule, depends on the availability of rooms and, of course, your budget. Many foreign students choose the social atmosphere of general housing in order to find new friends in the new city. But communication can be obtained both in the university dormitory, and in an apartment rented with other people, and even if you decide to live alone.

University Residences

The easiest way to find accommodation for a foreign student in the United States is to reserve a place in a university dormitory directly through the university and live on campus. Typically, in this case, you will share the room with someone else (or not) and eat in the dining rooms. The beauty of campus life is that you don’t have to go far to study. The downside is that usually in university dormitories is quite noisy and a lot of people. Most of all freshmen like this - they are called freshmen in the US - because they can get to know a huge number of people (sometimes it is even a requirement of the university.) In addition, you will have an unforgettable experience of living in a traditional American college campus.

You can apply for a place in the dorm room directly on the university website - you will need to specify the desired conditions: with or without room service in the dining room, in mixed dormitories or for representatives of only your gender, with a shared bathroom or an individual. The university will try to satisfy all your wishes regarding the location, roommates or hostel.

Private accommodation

Living in an apartment with other students is an excellent choice if you want to be in the company of your fellow students, but at the same time have more independence than in a university dormitory. You will receive the privacy of your private bedroom and the common space - the kitchen, bathroom and living room, which you will share with your roommates. You can also take advantage of the common facilities of the house - a swimming pool or cafe. If your budget allows, and you want even more private space, in the student quarter you can find an apartment or studio just for yourself.

As a rule, private housing is located outside the campus in a student-friendly area of ​​the city, which provides additional opportunities in the form of infrastructure and entertainment. Nevertheless, it is better to rent housing not too far from the university, so that it would be convenient for you to get on foot, by bicycle or by public transport.

Most universities have a focal point position that provides foreign students with information about off-campus housing. This person should be your first contact in finding a home. It is also worth asking him about the security of different areas, and how much utilities will cost. Sometimes the university’s website has a page with links to available rooms in apartments rented jointly by students.

2. Explore the area and find the best location for yourself.

You choose - to live in the center of the bustling life of the campus or beyond. Plus, off-campus life is that you can explore a whole new area for additional entertainment and infrastructure, while being very close to the university. If you choose campus accommodation, you will get quick access to all university facilities, and you don’t have to incur additional transportation costs. Many students choose to live on campus during their first year, and then move to a private apartment or house with friends for the rest of the courses, as soon as they are determined with the area.

Before booking a room in America, explore the area using Google Maps and Street View. Find out what restaurants, amenities, student outlets and venues are nearby, and decide if they are suitable for you. It is also worth conducting an online study of the area to ensure its safety and friendliness to students. Your college can help you on this. If you need to travel by public transport, make sure it is available.

3. Get Price, которая you suitable

Housing costs are the largest expenditure item in a university. Regardless of what you decide - to save money and rent a room away from the city center or rent a separate apartment - it is very important to make the right decision. The cheapest option is a place in a dorm room, but, saving on rent in this way, you will have to give up privacy. A good option is living with meals: this is how you save money, because you don’t have to eat in restaurants.

It’s normal practice for the United States when students live together in the same room as other students, so don’t worry if your budget only allows you this option.

4. Imagine the perfect option and start from it.

It depends on who you live in your university years how easy they are to go. If you want to be in an easy atmosphere, full communication, this must be stated when looking for a hostel, apartment or house. You need to imagine what you want to see your life outside of college, and proceed from this vision.

Do a little online research to find out what kind of atmosphere and level of communication prevail where you are going to live. For this you will need student forums, especially those where alumni communicate. Decide for yourself - do you want to live with other foreign students or with Americans? This also needs to be stated when searching and processing the application, since it is unlikely that you will like your new home if there are parties every day, and you dreamed of settling in a nest and learning days and nights long.

5. Important details about living in the USA for students

• You will need to make a deposit for renting a new home — usually the cost of a month or six weeks of rent. This amount will be returned to you when you leave, if the condition of the apartment remains the same as at the entrance.
• The cost of utilities (electricity, Internet, water, cable TV) is added to the top of the rental price - do not forget about this when drawing up the budget. In the university hostel the communal flat is already included in the price.
• Consider the possibility of additional fees - for example, for the use of a parking space, laundry facilities or concierge services.
• Since you are a foreign student, you need to look for accommodation with furniture, or to order furniture and utensils after your arrival (if you don’t want to take it all from home). Check if your home has a washing machine and refrigerator. Some apartments even offer bedding for students who come from abroad.
• Some residential complexes and university dormitories provide access to a swimming pool or gym, which will allow you to save money on sports.
• Check your chosen housing for security - whether the entrance doors are closed, whether there is a security guard and surveillance cameras in the common areas. So it will be calmer for you and your relatives.

6. Find his ideal student housing

If you are planning to live on campus, start your home search from the university website. Virtually every college has an International Student Office (International Student Office) that provides advice to international students, including links to rental announcements and recommendations from real estate agents.

Thousands of rooms for renting out rooms in hundreds of cities across the country can also be found on Student.com, whose experts will help you go through this process step by step and painlessly.

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