How's your house/room search going?

[nhyn]

Mine is not going so well - it's the immediate suburbs of a big city, but there hasn't been many options at all. So I'm starting my PhD in the Fall, and have been looking for a place to live. I was looking for lease that starts in June, saw a couple of places, but nothing perfectly to my liking. Now I'm looking for September places, and there seems to be none! Just makes me kinda nervous because it's a college town, and college town has postings early I thought (at least that was the case in my middle of nowhere undergrad college town - postings for academic year start about now or in May). Since I will be living with my partner, we need a spacious 1bdr (or 2dr, but a lot of the 2bdr is more space than need and cost more than we can afford), with lots of light, close to campus or transportation, has a nice kitchen, in a house (or even multi-family house) rather than an apartment building. We don't even have pets, or smoke, or anything! It was so much easier to look for a place in the city proper (or more densely populated suburbs). Now I'm getting all ansty that I let go of some good options because I'm too picky (this one place was really good but I disliked the realtor and the place looks kinda dark, the ceiling kinda low; or this other place that is AMAZING and perfect in every way except without a car I can't really commute easily to school from there, even if it's just a 15 mins drive). But I hate moving and if we're gonna live here for 5 years, we should choose something good, no?

How has your experience been?

[neuropsych76]

Mine is not going so well - it's the immediate suburbs of a big city, but there hasn't been many options at all. So I'm starting my PhD in the Fall, and have been looking for a place to live. I was looking for lease that starts in June, saw a couple of places, but nothing perfectly to my liking. Now I'm looking for September places, and there seems to be none! Just makes me kinda nervous because it's a college town, and college town has postings early I thought (at least that was the case in my middle of nowhere undergrad college town - postings for academic year start about now or in May). Since I will be living with my partner, we need a spacious 1bdr (or 2dr, but a lot of the 2bdr is more space than need and cost more than we can afford), with lots of light, close to campus or transportation, has a nice kitchen, in a house (or even multi-family house) rather than an apartment building. We don't even have pets, or smoke, or anything! It was so much easier to look for a place in the city proper (or more densely populated suburbs). Now I'm getting all ansty that I let go of some good options because I'm too picky (this one place was really good but I disliked the realtor and the place looks kinda dark, the ceiling kinda low; or this other place that is AMAZING and perfect in every way except without a car I can't really commute easily to school from there, even if it's just a 15 mins drive). But I hate moving and if we're gonna live here for 5 years, we should choose something good, no?

How has your experience been?

I'm sorry you've run into issues!! I know the house/room search is a tricky thing and I think everyone has trouble with it

I only had to look for an apartment once, but it was paid for and I only lived there a couple months so that was easy. Looking for an apartment for a year, that has to be decently priced, close to campus, and livable is tough. I've been emailing some places close to the psychology building (where i'll walk everyday) but haven't heard back yet.

I'm hoping to get an apartment sooner than later because I know the good ones go fast!

[MoJingly]

Did you try contacting the school to see if they could help? A lot of times they offer assistance with the housing search.

[nhyn]

Did you try contacting the school to see if they could help? A lot of times they offer assistance with the housing search.

the grad school page has a website with helpful details, but it really just boils down to your own efforts. I'm sure it'll turn out ok, or I'll have to settle for something less than perfect lol Just curious how everyone's been dealing with their own search

I've looked for apartments multiple times before (for summer internships and stuff) and it was a lot easier o_O i think this town real estate market is just slow...or something.

[Strangefox]

I was wondering how I can find some good realtor to search for an apartment? If, say, I don't want to use Craigslist but a real estate agency. Are there some agencies that work all over the US or I need to look for an agency in a specific area where I will be moving? How will I know that a real estate agency is reliable?

[newms]

I hoping to sign a lease soon - I'm looking at apartments in complexes that my school suggested. I figure I'll just get some place that's livable and close to campus for the first year and then I can move to somewhere better if I want, once I get used to the city.

[wtncffts]

Yeah, I'm having trouble finding a place for September at this point. Everything is for May 1st or a few months after, and it's not possible for me to move to the new town until school actually starts (perhaps August).

Also, does anyone have experience with unfurnished apartments? When I did my MA, both places I rented were furnished, and I really don't want to have to look for furniture, etc., at the same time as starting a grad program. How do you manage it? Is it easier than I'm assuming?

[Golden Monkey]

You guys are all way ahead of me. I suddenly realized that I'd better get moving on this.

[nhyn]

Yeah, I'm having trouble finding a place for September at this point. Everything is for May 1st or a few months after, and it's not possible for me to move to the new town until school actually starts (perhaps August).

Also, does anyone have experience with unfurnished apartments? When I did my MA, both places I rented were furnished, and I really don't want to have to look for furniture, etc., at the same time as starting a grad program. How do you manage it? Is it easier than I'm assuming?

remember you only really need a bed (or in my boyfriend's case, NOTHING o_O he doesn't care for bed and when we studied abroad in Japan while I complained about sleeping on the floor he LOVED it...) and a table (which can be both desk/dining table ). So you only really need 2 things first, and those are easy to get off craigslist or at a store. You will have to shell out for delivery, if you don't have a car. But other than that, I think you can just accumulate them over the first few months, no big deal.

We bought our own furniture when we moved in the summer - well it's actually a mix of picking up stuff from his family's and buying. It took about 2 months (doing it intermittently of course, we took it slow) to assemble all the furniture pieces, but we got, tv stand, table and chairs for the porch, bed, office desk, dining table, etc. and we semi-built our own closet (basically turned the entertainment center in the apartment into a wardrobe/closet LOL) - and I'm sure you don't need that much if you live alone.

[melo]

I was wondering how I can find some good realtor to search for an apartment? If, say, I don't want to use Craigslist but a real estate agency. Are there some agencies that work all over the US or I need to look for an agency in a specific area where I will be moving? How will I know that a real estate agency is reliable?

Strangefox, I'm no sure there are agencies that work all over the US, but I would strongly advise you to read reviews online before trusting one.

[melo]

Also, does anyone have experience with unfurnished apartments? When I did my MA, both places I rented were furnished, and I really don't want to have to look for furniture, etc., at the same time as starting a grad program. How do you manage it? Is it easier than I'm assuming?

I've always rented unfurnished apts, look for thrift stores in your area, they usually deliver your stuff for a fee.Depending on when you make it to your new place, you might even find some interesting and cheap items at garage sales. It isn't too much of a hassle, don't worry!

[Strangefox]

Strangefox, I'm no sure there are agencies that work all over the US, but I would strongly advise you to read reviews online before trusting one.

Ok, I will!

[neuropsych76]

Did you try contacting the school to see if they could help? A lot of times they offer assistance with the housing search.

I'm hesitant to contact the school because they do offer graduate housing but it's more expensive. I feel like they wouldn't give me objective information

Anyone have any insight on whether grad school housing is worth it?

I've only been searching for an apartment for 2 days are I'm already frustrated lol. Every time I think I find a good potential place, I read something awful about it :/

[newms]

I'm hesitant to contact the school because they do offer graduate housing but it's more expensive. I feel like they wouldn't give me objective information

Anyone have any insight on whether grad school housing is worth it?

I've only been searching for an apartment for 2 days are I'm already frustrated lol. Every time I think I find a good potential place, I read something awful about it :/

I'm sure the school would still be willing to help you. Does the school have a website where approved landlords can post available housing? You can also consider asking current grad students about places they recommend -that's been helpful for me so far.

[neuropsych76]

I'm sure the school would still be willing to help you. Does the school have a website where approved landlords can post available housing? You can also consider asking current grad students about places they recommend -that's been helpful for me so far.

Yes, grad students have been very helpful so far but there are SO many different places to look with often conflicting reviews.

Also, I just found what seems to be a nice room listings website for my school.

Problem is I need a school ID to access it :/

Edited April 8, 2011 by neuropsych76

[newms]

Problem is I need a school ID to access it :/

Are you sure you can't get your school ID yet? I have my school ID and email already.

[Fjac]

the grad school page has a website with helpful details, but it really just boils down to your own efforts. I'm sure it'll turn out ok, or I'll have to settle for something less than perfect lol Just curious how everyone's been dealing with their own search

I've looked for apartments multiple times before (for summer internships and stuff) and it was a lot easier o_O i think this town real estate market is just slow...or something.

I've always dealt mainly with apartment sites when searching around. I usually check rent jungle since I've typically found places there in the past. I dunno if you've tried it, but it's worth a shot, right? Good luck!