Considering moving states

[Aquakneek]

I have never lived outside of Colorado before and am now considering a move to Shreveport, Louisiana for grad school. Anyone have any tips on the area? Also, what should I consider in moving across the country? How do I rent an apartment when I cant go see it?

[Tall Chai Latte]

I've never been to CO or LA, so I can't comment on the specifics. You may want to post this question under another sub-forum. Regarding moving to a new place in general, you can first by googling where are the grocery stores, targets/wall-marts, things like that. Consider the weather and acquire appropriate clothing, and the rest can be looking into recreation activities. 

 

For renting apartments sight unseen, it can be risky. I was in your position, so I found a roommate who was already settled, and after I got acclimated into the new environment I went around and look for new places to live the following year. Hope this helps you. 

[TakeruK]

To the general question of "how to find an apartment when I can't go see it":

 

Does the grad school have on-campus or off-campus housing for grad students? My current school has both and the on-campus housing is a commitment until next July but you can break the lease for a $300 fee, which is tiny compared to the rent in this area. The off-campus housing here only have a 1 month minimum stay and a 15 day notice to vacate after 1 month. So, many students from far away choose to live in school-owned housing while they look for an apartment to rent and/or a friend to share a 2-bedroom place with.

 

Another option is to fly out ahead of time and look at places and sign a lease. Check what the standard notice-to-vacate is in Shreveport. You can ask the current grad students too. Last summer, to move for grad school, we flew out about 5-6 weeks before we were planning to move and spent a week looking at places and then signing a lease. It would usually cost about 1 month's rent for a trip like this but I think it's worth it in order to not get stuck with a dump for a whole year. I would personally never want to rent a place without seeing it!

 

If you really can't go ahead of time at all and if you are unable to get grad housing (or it's not so easy to get out of) then maybe you can ask some of the current students very nicely to help you out?

Edited February 27, 2013 by TakeruK

[Onedayx3]

That's funny. I'm doing the opposite. I'm moving from Texas to Colorado. Do you have any tips for me?

I have been to Shreveport when I was little for a motorcycle rally with my dad, and it's about as hot and humid as Texas. I'm sure you will experience some kind of culture shock, but I can only speak from what I know about Texas. Girls from Louisiana can have a crazy country twang...but I suppose it depends on the area. Louisiana roads are complete crap. It was culture shock for me visiting Colorado. No one wears makeup or dresses nice. It's like everyone is bumming it all the time. I almost felt judged for being overly dressed, but it was my "normal". You might experience the opposite moving to an area that cares a bit more about appearances.

I am going to CO for a "meet and greet", and I plan on staying the weekend to look at houses/ apartments/ rooms for rent. It's so hard to tell without seeing it in person, so I will second the idea to find a temporary set up while you are looking. Since you are by yourself maybe you can find a room for rent on Craigslist that is month to month.

I am moving to another region of the country intentionally for the experience. I think it's good for you to move away from what you've always known for a period of time, and grad school is the perfect excuse to do it.

Good luck!

[Aquakneek]

Well, cat_2011, its a great place to live! Mountains are easy access and yet theres stuff to do in town. People are friendly. I dont know where in Colorado youre going so I cant recomend anyplace to live, but I wish you luck! As for Louisiana, I would be studying on a medical campus and there is no graduate housing and my boyfriend is coming with me. Im not sure that I have the money to go visit at the moment...so I might have to rely on current grad students. Thanks! And I posted this here because it says something in the description about relocating and renting and such. If it should be somewhere else, please let me know. If anyone knows the area or has other thoughts, please say so!

[aberrant]

I have never lived outside of Colorado before and am now considering a move to Shreveport, Louisiana for grad school. Anyone have any tips on the area? Also, what should I consider in moving across the country? How do I rent an apartment when I cant go see it?

 

I see that you've made 2 threads @ tgc that you get little responses. if you search the city name in the forum, you'll see this post.

 

 

"Shreveport Louisiana- (I did my undergrad here) It's virtually impossible to not own a car. There are virtually no walkable sidewalks. And it gets to be a billion degrees in the summer, making being outside pretty brutal. The winters can be rainy and cold and icy. Get a car."