Apartment Search Nightmare and What I Learned Along the Way:

By Janelle Sanchez on May 20, 2012

So let me just start out by saying that I am kind of naïve. Knowing that may help you understand the following story about how I tried to find an apartment in exactly one week. Yea… I know.

Apartment listing from Uloop.com

Now, before you start imagining the wide blue eyes, long curly hair and nervous lip biting that is characteristic of the innocent (perfectly describing myself, coincidentally) please know that I am not a complete idiot. The reason I was in this predicament in the first place is because I graduated a year early, and therefore I am going to graduate school at an infinitesimal age. Therefore, I knew nothing about how long it would take to find an apartment, the lingo (who knew spreading a special out over the term of the lease was called prorating it? Couldn’t you just say spreading it out?), or the fact that it takes at least a couple of days to prepare an apartment for move in. Basically, I was in for a few surprises.

I began my search on the computer about two weeks before I started school, but I didn’t tour until a week before school started. I honestly thought that I would do a search, find exactly what I was looking for, take a tour, sign some papers, and move right in (yes, yes, I’m naïve, I get it). What I found was a hodge-podge of retouched photos, overpriced rooms (who in the world pays a grand for a studio apartment?), and unavailability. Turns out, when you go to a school that has 60,000 attendants, rooms fill up fast. Who would have thought.

Fortunately (thanks to the willingness of the complex to work with me), I ended up finding a really great place. The price almost gave my parents a hernia, and I still have to make a two hour drive to class on the first day (made possible thanks to the generosity of some close friends who are letting me crash) because it won’t be ready until this weekend- but all in all, its exactly what I am looking for.

So what did I learn during this week? Well friends, if you are planning to move to a new campus in the fall and would like to rent instead of dorm, start looking, now. I only found two places open for the summer (one was obnoxiously priced) and I still have to wait a week to move. Second, know what you want, but check the prices in that area first (to make sure you are getting a good deal). My brother, who lives in Tallahassee, pays a fraction of what I am paying in Orlando… because it’s Tallahassee (Go Noles!). Finally, know whom you are living with if at all possible, or do a roommate match-up if provided by the complex. A bad roommate will make you wish you were in the dorms, kickin’ it with the RA’s and gaining ten pounds a day on cafeteria food.

All in all, just do your research, be willing to compromise, and for the love of Pete, don’t wait until you only have a week left.

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