When you go to college, it is crucial that you find the right apartment. This is very important to your overall college experience, and it can ensure that you get the most out of your time in school. There are a number of important points to keep in mind if you are looking into Berkeley Student Apartments or other options in the surrounding area of your college campus.
Proximity to Your Classes
An apartment that is close to school just makes life easier. If you live too far away, you have to invest in a car of your own, a very expensive move to make while you’re in college, or you have to spend a lot of time riding the bus. Being able to walk to class or ride your bike to campus saves money in a number of ways. Even living less than a mile from campus when I was in college, I still found myself (and many of my neighbors) driving to campus and fighting for parking spaces. Our apartment complex had a shuttle bus that they would drive back and forth at each class time which was great to utilize!
Your Own Space
Another thing to think about is how much of your own space you will get. Those who know that they need to step away from friends and roommates to get any homework done will want to have their own room rather than a shared room. This can increase your productivity and just give you the rest and relaxation that you need to do well. Your own separate room also gives you the space you may need to start your own business and be able to focus more than when your roommate is right next to you playing the latest Call of Duty video game.
Lowering Food Costs
It is no secret that eating on campus can be incredibly expensive. A meal plan may be easy to use, but it is a poor choice if funds are tight. An apartment with its own kitchen allows you to buy food on a budget and prepare it yourself. Not only do you get to eat what you really want, on your schedule, but you can save money that would be better spent on reducing student loans, buying new books or taking care of any other necessary expenses. This can also be very nice if you have any food allergies and specific preferences such as a gluten intolerance.
A Place to Call Home
On the whole, an apartment is going to be your home away from home. It is a place for you and your roommates to relax and hang out while enjoying the college life. To do so, you have to find one that is comfortable and accommodating so that you love living there. You’ll be surprised by how many of your cherished college memories take place in your apartment.
I loved just living a couple blocks off campus … nothing like cracking a beer less than 10 minutes after leaving the last class of the day. Also, the parties on those streets tend to be the best in my opinion!