A big milestone ahead of you: Graduation! More exciting than the graduation itself is everything that greets you before it! College, new friends, independent life, and thrills of being straight out of your teenage into an official adult! So, have you packed your bags already? Good for you!
We are excited for you too, but we have to introduce you to a slightly boring task – House hunting! Find it difficult to choose between so many options? Well, to make your house hunt a tad bit easier, we have compiled a list of six tips you should keep in mind when you are looking for a place for your graduate life.
- Know what you need:
The biggest problem most young adults face is they aren’t sure about what they really want. These days, housing isn’t just about a bed and a bathroom. Most places in Australia now throw in a gym, an indoor pool, a gaming zone, a library, etc. However, before you get carried away by the add-ons, remind yourself what are the most necessary facilities for your personal self.
Do you love swimming? Then, more than a room with a big flat TV, you need a place with a pool. Do you like reading? There you go, you need a library! If you could live without these add-ons and do not see yourself making acquaintance with the gym or the library, then it is best to cross basic amenities such as 24×7 electricity, water, and steady internet off your list first!
- Meet your roomies:
They say, if you feel something is wrong, it probably is! So, you could probably get a hunch or pick an impression of the people you are going to live with, even after a 5 minutes small talk. At least, you could get to know how they arrange their side of the room. What do they do? What do they think about the place? If their lifestyle doesn’t suit you, you have your answer!
- Stalk:
Okay, a little clarification is due! We do not encourage you to stalk random people, but you could stalk your landlord and your future roommates to further understand their social positioning. The posts they share, the photos, the comments, and most importantly, the things others say about them can give you a big “yes” or “no”. Moreover, if the property is a rather popular one, they would also have a social media page. Do pay them an internet visit!
- Say no to brokerage:
It might be tough to find a decent place in a strange foreign land, however, the brokerage is going to hurt your budget big time! You could easily keep the brokers away if you use trusted online portals such as Iglu. Visit website to find yourself some perfect accommodation options around you!
- Have a living budget, not a renting budget:
This is where most students go wrong; they fix a budget for the rentals. However, you are going to be spending over your rent as well. You should have a monthly budget. Say it is $1000 a month. You need to find a place that allows you to travel, eat, and study within that budget. A house that is $400 could be a steal, but what if it is too far from your college and there are no metro lines around. What if there are no food outlets in place? These costs would increase your living expenses and would be more expensive than a room near your university which was available at $700.
- Ask for a shorter lock-in period:
Despite all your vigilance, you would never fully know a place until you have stayed there. Thus, it is better not to risk your college life, and opt for a smaller lockdown period. If you do not like a place, you would not be stuck there and you would have the flexibility to move elsewhere. If you like it after testing for a while, you may then go for a longer contract too.
