by Brianna Crandall — June 17, 2015—CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway company and a leading provider of transition services, recently announced a survey revealing that the primary driver for college students to move off-campus is to save money. However, many students are unaware of the hidden costs associated with living in an apartment and can sometimes end up spending just as much, if not more, as compared to living on-campus.
To help students save money, CORT offers the following tips for affordable off-campus living:
Look for included utilities: An important factor in any budget is the cost of living. A helpful way to keep costs consistent in a monthly budget is to search for apartments that include utilities in the rent. This allows the student to account for how much money he/she has left for other expenses rather than waiting for an electric or water bill to arrive. Not to mention, this can save money during the summer or winter months when utility bills tend to be the highest.
Ditch takeout: One of the simplest ways to save money when living off-campus is for the student to take advantage of the apartment’s kitchen and make his/her own food. This may be a simple concept, but it should be an important factor in deciding where to live. If the nearest grocery store is miles away, it will be hard to get motivated to go to the store instead of picking up food from a nearby restaurant.
Choose the right location: Between going to class and extracurricular activities, students are constantly on the go. To save money on travel, look for a place close to campus or nearby public transportation. Taking the bus or the train can save money on car payments, insurance, gas and repairs. However, if using a car is the most convenient mode of transportation, living close to campus will decrease the distance traveled by car, using less gas.
Add a roommate: Roommates are a great way to share costs including rent, utilities, furniture rental and even groceries. Choose a roommate or roommates that get along well and share expectations when it comes to cleanliness, noise level and guests.
Consider renting furniture: This can be an economical and hassle-free alternative for students looking to live off-campus affordably. By renting furniture, parents, students and roommates know the exact cost of furnishings for the entire year and do not have to factor in hidden expenses such as moving vans and fuel prices, storing furniture and repairing broken items. Packages can easily be shared between roommates, and renting offers high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost.
“Although saving money is one of the key reasons why students opt to move off-campus, many may find themselves spending more than in the dorms because of unexpected fees and expenses,” said Rob Johnson, director of higher education sales at CORT. “At CORT, we make the transition to off-campus living enjoyable, affordable and stylish for students so they can be successful as they start out on their own.”
CORT, which says it is the only national provider of furniture rental services, provides college students tailored furnishing solutions to meet their unique needs. Furniture can be delivered or removed “on-demand,” ensuring renters maintain the highest quality living standards with the least hassle and no extra, hidden costs involved. Rental packages are available with 12-month lease options; other lease terms including nine months are available. For more information on student rental packages, visit the CORT Web site.
See more FM-specific information on CORT’s FMLink ad.
