Tips To Keep In Mind While Finding A College Apartment | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Education

6 Tips To Keep In Mind When Apartment Shopping And Roommate Swapping

These are key.

192
6 Tips To Keep In Mind When Apartment Shopping And Roommate Swapping
Izzy Roshko

In This Article:

Despite my personal vendetta against the frigid, bland months of January and February, UCLA presents evermore concrete reasons for myself, as well as other students and the property managers of Westwood apartment complexes, to dread these first months of each year. The culprit of our detestation? The imminent chaos of apartment shopping in Westwood, Los Angeles.

Situated directly west of UCLA's campus, the "apartment side" is comprised of frat row and a number of overpriced, and often rundown, apartment complexes dominated primarily by college students packed into units like sardines. Keep in mind UCLA is a university of over 30 thousand students, not including those in graduate school, so as you can imagine, finding a unit on the apartment side can be a nightmare. Not to mention, renters jack prices through the roof knowing full well that, while we're all broke college students, we need somewhere to live and will give in to an inflated price at one point or another.

As if merely finding your home for the next year 8 months in advance isn't stressful, dealing with who you'll be living with can present an even greater source of stress. Hurt feelings, tears, and the occasional mental breakdown are all too common during the quest that is finding your apartment. Not to be dramatic, but friendships may be lost.

In lieu of the infernal few weeks, all UCLA students on the hunt will be experiencing, I've compiled a list of reminders in hopes you and others seeking their college apartment will have a somewhat smooth process:

In dealing with property managers, persistence is key

I've gotta hand it to them, managing a slew of neurotic young adults in search of a place to live is no easy feat. That said, would it kill property managers to answer their phones and give us the answers we're looking for? In case you're wondering, apparently the answer is yes because getting a response from a property manager is as difficult as pulling teeth. So if you want to get anything done persistence is key. Follow up, then follow up again. Send an edible arrangement, leave a flirty message on their windshield, I don't know.

Focus on common styles of living when choosing your roommates

It's so tempting to look to your best friend when it comes to living arrangements. You obviously get along on a personal level, so who's to say that you won't get along spatially as well? Everyone and their mother, that's who. Instead of focusing on who you're closest with, look to those you know share common practices of cleanliness, organization, sleeping, hygiene, etc… If that's your best friend, lucky you. If your best friend is a clean freak and you're a total slob it's completely pointless to invite the possibility of losing that friendship over incompatible living habits. Find someone who's first your stylistic soulmate, not your friendship soulmate.

And if your best friend doesn’t want to live with you, don’t take it personally

This is an exceedingly important, yet undeniably tough understanding to maintain. Hunting for an apartment and choosing your roommates is a matter that should be considered strictly business. As I said before, spare your friendship, appreciate that they're being honest with you, and find someone else. Don't allow your friendship to suffer over something as trivial as different living choices.

Sometimes it’s okay to play the waiting game…

When you find an apartment that fits your budget, fits the bill, and fits your availability it can be so utterly tempting to sign your lease right then and there, especially in a place like Westwood where everyone is running around like a chicken with their head cut off hoping to find an apartment before someone else does. It's completely OK and totally necessary to take a step back and think everything through before you sign your lease. Don't jump headfirst into something for fear you won't have any other options unless you put your deposit down right then and there.

….but you’ll probably have to exercise on the spot decision making at one point or another

There will come one point or another when you will be forced to make the ultimate decision of whether or not to sign a particular lease—a legally binding commitment for the span of a year give or take. To some that can be daunting, but once you sign it there's no looking back, so just be glad that you're done with your hunt.

If it doesn’t feel right don’t do it

It may sound so cliché, but trust your gut when it comes to making decisions about where to live and who to share that unit with. If you're not excited to be living with someone or feeling unsure about whether or not you want to live in a building, just don't. Your living situation is so intertwined with your day to day happiness that it's naive to make an uncertain decision. Go for what you truly want.


Take a deep breath because apartment shopping is not the end of the world, although at times it feels as though you're floundering around in an attempt to grasp any form of shelter. Just maintain your wits and you'll have your pricey shoebox in no time!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Kardashians
W Magazine

Whether you love them or hate them, it's undeniable the Kardashian/ Jenner family has built an enormous business empire. Ranging from apps, fashion lines, boutiques, beauty products, books, television shows, etc. this bunch has shown they are insane business moguls. Here are seven reasons why the Kardashian/ Jenner family should be applauded for their intelligent business tactics.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

3170
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

2752
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments