College students are going to face many challenges throughout their college years, from maintaining a consistent study schedule to landing internships - one thing many college students experience is finding an apartment near campus that fits their needs and budget. Finding the right apartment is easier said than done, from the ideal apartment community not having any vacant units to apartments being out of budget. 

Keep reading for tips for apartment hunting near your college. 

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Figure out your priorities

When hunting for apartments near campus, your top priority may be distance to campus, which may severely limit the apartment communities you are considering in your hunt. To further narrow down (or expand) your options, you should figure out what apartment features you want to prioritize in the community you ultimately settle on. If you are deadset on a community that has an in-unit washer and dryer, you may be more willing to settle at an apartment further from campus than you originally anticipated. 

If you really value close proximity to campus, you may be willing to spend more on your rent if it means that your commute is simple. Depending on proximity, the money you would spend on a parking pass or gas if you can walk or bike to campus could make up for a higher monthly rent if you are willing to compromise. 

Having a clear checklist of features you are looking for can help you structure your search and consider your options, especially if you are in an area that has plenty of apartment communities to choose from. 

Spend time in the area

Don’t just look at the first apartments that show up in your Google search - take the search into your own hands by exploring the area firsthand. If you are limiting your search to proximity to campus, use the mode of transportation you would use to get to and from campus. If you want an apartment this is within walking distance, set time aside to explore the surrounding area on foot to give you a realistic idea of how the walk would be. Sure Google Maps may show the walk as an easy one, but if you are navigating multiple hills or heavy traffic throughout your walk, it might not be one you would be up to on a daily basis. 

If you are looking for an apartment that you can commute to and from with public transportation - test out the routes you would commonly use to make sure they would work for you. How close are the bus stops you would be using? How often does the bus come by? Are buses heavily congested and constantly packed regardless of the time of day? 

Looking for apartments on your own can also help you evaluate the surrounding areas, including which places you can shop and eat at without going too far from your apartment. 

Connect with classmates

Chances are, many of your fellow classmates are also living in apartments near your campus. Some may commute from further away or live at home, but you can use your fellow college students for ideas for apartment communities near campus. 

Your fellow college students can provide honest reviews of the apartment communities you are considering renting to. You may be heavily leaning toward one community closer to campus, only to find out that most students you ask have not had positive experiences living there. The negative experiences can far outweigh the benefit of the close proximity to campus and give you a clearer picture of an apartment community than online reviews can. 

Find a roommate first - divide the work

Rather than concentrating all your efforts on finding the perfect apartment first, make sure you have your roommate(s) chosen. It may seem counterproductive, but finding a roommate before going on your search for an apartment can make it easier than trying it out on your own. 

Whether you are opting to room with three or more, or just one other person, having your roommate fully decided can help you search for your apartment. Not only are you making sure the apartment you are looking for suits both of your needs, but you are also dividing the efforts with at least one other person. 

Knowing who your roommates will be before apartment hunting will also help you clear up what everyone wants from an apartment and eliminate future disagreements about which apartment is the right one for you. Nothing would be more frustrating than finding an apartment that you think is perfect for you, but does not check everything on your roommate’s wishlist for an apartment. 

Everyone has different ideas for their ideal apartment, but there is no denying the appeal of an apartment that is close to your college campus. With these tips in mind, you can help yourself hunt for apartments close to campus.