With so many options to choose from in Midtown, selecting the ideal student apartment for your needs or even narrowing down your choices can be a difficult task.
At Rambler Atlanta, we recognize the importance of finding the best place for you. To simplify the search for your dream apartment, we’ve curated this comprehensive guide outlining the essential steps to discovering the perfect student apartment near Georgia Tech.
How to Find the Perfect Off-Campus Apartment as a Georgia Tech Student: 8 Key Steps
Step 1: Decide What Neighborhood You Want to Live In
The location of a property is one of its biggest selling aspects. The neighborhood you choose can significantly impact your day-to-day life, making location one of the most important factors.
To familiarize yourself with the top areas near GT for student living, check out our article on where students live near Georgia Tech. This blog breaks down all of the areas surrounding GT and the housing that they offer, from Midtown apartments, to on-campus residence halls, Greek housing and off-campus houses.
Once you’ve gained insights into your preferred living areas, you can begin the process of narrowing down your options.
For instance, if you’re inclined towards a more spacious and modern off-campus apartment, some of the most sought-after complexes for students are on Spring Street. Spanning the Fifth Street Bridge from the main campus, these apartments are in close proximity to Tech Square, the Scheller College of Business and East Campus.
If this location aligns with your preferences, kickstart your housing search by exploring apartments on Spring Street.
Step 2: Determine Whether or Not You’ll Have a Roommate(s)
Once you’ve settled on a location, the next step is to decide whether or not you would like to have a roommate, and if so, how many. This choice will affect what size you’re interested in, so it’s important to have an idea of this early in the process.
If you are looking to live in an apartment free of distraction with the utmost privacy, you might consider not having roommates at all. If this is the case, move to step three.
On the other hand, if you thrive in a more social environment and appreciate the potential cost savings, having roommates could be an appealing choice. Roommates not only provide companionship but can also foster a sense of community within your apartment.
Moreover, living with roommates often translates to more affordable rent. Costs such as rent, utilities and other expenses are distributed among you and your roommates, effectively lowering your individual cost of living.
If you’ve decided on having roommates, begin reaching out to gauge interest among your friends. If you do not have specific individuals in mind, most student apartments offer roommate matching systems. By completing a brief survey, you can be matched with other students seeking roommates, fostering a shared living experience.
If you have a large group of friends looking to live somewhere together, block housing is also an option at many student apartments, especially at new developments. Block housing is when you and a large group of friends sign for multiple units on the same level near or next to each other in a “block.” For example, if you and 15 of your sorority sisters wanted to live together, you could all sign at separate units on the same floor in a block, so you’re never more than down the hall from each other regardless of unit. Be sure to ask about block housing availability when you tour potential apartments!
Step 3: Pick Your Top Amenities
The next step is to determine which amenities are most important to you. First, identify your must-have amenities and consider additional features that would enhance your overall living experience.
The student apartment market can be very competitive, leading newer complexes to offer a full-suite of unique and trendy amenities to stay at the top of your list. These offerings may encompass, among other things:
- Pool deck and hot tub
- Fitness center
- Coffee bar on-site
- Sauna
- Yoga studio
- Study rooms
- Spin room
- On-site concierge
- 24-hour security
- Package lockers
After you have made a roster of essential must-have amenities, make another list of features that, while desirable, are not necessary. You can use this list as a guide when narrowing down your apartment options later on.
Step 4: Set a Budget
Arguably the most crucial step in your apartment search is establishing a budget by specifying the amount you’re willing to allocate for your monthly rent and associated costs. It’s important to determine this financial limit before beginning property tours.
Beyond the basic rental rate, there are various additional fees and costs that can contribute to the overall price of your living experience. These may include:
- Parking: Typically an additional monthly fee, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Pet Rent and/or Deposit: Pets often incur two extra charges—a pet deposit and monthly pet rent.
- Utilities: Some apartments may charge an extra fee for utilities, while others include it in the rent. Property policies should be thoroughly checked.
- Renter’s Insurance: Many apartments provide renter’s insurance at an additional monthly cost.
After reviewing the potential additional fees in conjunction with your rental rate, you can accurately set a budget that’s aligned with your willingness to pay for your apartment.
Step 5: Pick Your Top Apartments to Tour
With your list of apartment requirements and preferences in hand, the next step is to streamline your options. Explore the websites of various properties to assess the amenities they offer, their locations and the pricing for your desired amount of rooms.
Once you’ve identified the properties that align with your interests, visit their contact page and schedule a tour. Look back at the lists you made earlier to ensure that each property adheres to the criteria outlined in your wishlist.
Step 6: Tour Each Property
Now for the exciting part – touring potential new apartments!
As you tour each property, keep your desired amenities and requirements at the forefront of your mind. Decide whether the apartment fulfills all your essential criteria and if it potentially ticks off additional items on your wishlist.
This is also the time to ask any questions you may have about the property or the leasing process.
Consider asking questions such as:
- What utilities are included and excluded?
- What expenses are incurred upon application, lease signing and move-in?
- Does the property offer roommate matching?
- How robust is the security of the property?
Step 7: Apply
Congratulations! After touring all your potential properties, you’ve made a decision on the apartment that will be your home for the next year. Fantastic! Now, it’s time to complete an application.
Typically available online, the application process is straightforward and usually takes only 15 to 30 minutes. They will likely ask for basic information such as:
- Driver’s License
- Emergency Contact
- Pet Information (if considering bringing a pet)
- Current Residence
- Roommate questionnaire (if interested in roommate matching)
The application fee is usually in the range of $50 to $150. This fee contributes to the expenses associated with conducting a background check and the overall processing of your application.\
Once your application is approved, you’re all set to sign the lease!
Step 8: Secure Your Spot
You’ve reached the final stage: signing your lease!
A lease is a contractual agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both you and your landlord. Despite their length and tedious nature, it’s crucial to thoroughly read each page to understand the precise terms of your lease. Given its legal-binding nature, it’s essential that you know the details before committing.
Pay close attention to the dates and fees specified in the lease. These details indicate when your lease starts and ends, the monthly rent amount, payment deadlines and other vital information.
If you’re like most full-time students, who may not work or work only part-time, you’ll likely require a guarantor. A guarantor, often a parent or guardian, co-signs your lease and assumes responsibility for your rent in the event of payment default.
Navigating the process of finding an apartment may seem daunting, but when broken down into smaller steps, it becomes much more manageable. We trust that these eight steps will guide you smoothly through your housing search, helping you discover the ideal student apartment near Georgia Tech.
If you have any additional questions or would like to learn more about leasing at Rambler, feel free to reach out to our leasing team. We are more than happy to assist you in your housing search.
