How should an international student find cheap housing?

[arnds]

I'll be joining Rutgers this fall and I was wondering how should an international student like me should go about finding housing off-the campus. Also is it necessary to rent some place before applying for visa?

 

Thanks

[Ambigiousbuthopeful]

It isn't necessary to rent first. Also, I've been told to contact the international students centre at my University - they might help with advice, neighbourhoods to zero into and finding potential flatmates. Get in touch with current students. Also - Craigslist! 

[Seeking]

The US Consulate requires the visa applicants to have an address in the US where they will be going. This means you need to have at least an email from someone saying you'll be staying at this address when you come to the US. 

 

Contacting the International students office may help you in finding flatmates, so the rent will come down to half.

[fuzzylogician]

The US Consulate requires the visa applicants to have an address in the US where they will be going. This means you need to have at least an email from someone saying you'll be staying at this address when you come to the US. 

 

I didn't have an apartment or an email from anyone when I applied for a visa. At most I had the address for the hotel where I would be staying (can't remember but I think actually applied for a visa before making any kind of travel plans, so I would not have had a hotel either) but definitely nothing more. Unless things changed drastically from 5 years ago, that's all that was needed.

 

OP - you could look through students in your department who might have leads or be looking for a roommate. I think the best strategy is to contact current (international) students and ask how they found apartments their first year. They'll be able to tell you when you need to start looking, how to look, what resourced are out there, and what areas are good places to look in.

[Seeking]

Yes, a hotel address also works - if you can show evidence of hotel booking.

[Porridge]

Is it possible to negotiate the start dates for leases?  I won't be able to arrive in the States until early August and I'd rather not have to pay for a lease from June. Following from that question, is it possible to sign up for a lease while abroad?

[fuzzylogician]

1. Depends on the market and how much the landlord wants you as a tenant. Where I am at, I think it'd be difficult, if not impossible.Things move too fast and I don't think they'd normally be willing to wait that long without making a profit. But maybe you can just find a lease that starts at a time that works for you without having to negotiate - that's be better for everyone. 

 

2. Yes, it's possible (I did it my first year). Again, you need to be able to have a landlord that wants you enough. I filled out everything and faxed it over, they called someone for a recommendation and they also met my roommate, who was already there. It ended up working out; I signed the lease in person when I got there, even though I'd already faxed over a signed copy much earlier, and they were ok with the arrangement.