Off Campus Housing
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING IN EIGHT EASY STEPS
Step One:
Begin with broad options and narrow down as you go.
Step Two:
Prioritize what type of housing you want to live in
Apartment/Condo
• Duplex/Multiplex – two or multiple levels
• Townhouse/House
• Room & Board – live in a house for no or reduced rent in exchange for services such as childcare, home maintenance, or lawn care
• Room in Private Home – individual rooms available for rent in private or student homes
• Shared/Roommates – share room(s) with others in an apartment or house
• Short Term/Furnished – summer and winter sublets
• Suite/Apt in House – each room has its own entrance
Step Three:
Develop a financial budget for rent, utilities, food, transportation, entertainment, and emergency costs. Generally, living in a house with roommates is usually cheaper than living in an apartment on your own.
Typical Area Rents:
• 1 Bedroom Apartment.................$800-$1,700
• 2 Bedroom Apartment.................$900-$1,800
• 3 Bedroom Apartment.................$1,200-$2,000
• Efficiencies/Studio........................$600-$900
• Apartment in a House...................$500-$900
• Vacant House.................................$1,200-$4,000
• Room in a House...........................$350-$700
Step Four:
Consider what types of transportation are available and convenient. Check to see if there is a Gallaudet Shuttle or DC Metro and Bus services close to your place of residence. Many local apartment communities are on DC Metro and Bus services.
Step Five:
Check for safety by:
• Making sure interior and exterior doors are able to shut... has a lock!
• Visiting the property at night to see about lighting, parking, and other security considerations.
• Looking up crime statistics on our Local Area Profiles handout (www.gallaudet.edu/af/publicsafety_communitycrimereports.xml )
• Find information about crime report:
Step Six:
Signing a lease protects you as a renter.
• Contact this www.doccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/civil/landlord-tenants.jsp for assistance.
Step Seven:
Dining options?
Dining Dollars added to the Gallaudet card? (check at Post Office for information)
Look into obtaining renters insurance:
• Renter's Insurance is highly recommended to protect expensive property such as stereos, computers, TVs, video games, clothes, valuables. The cost is typically less than $20 per month, depending on the extent of the coverage. Check out the renters' insurance handout at Commuter Lounge or look at www.deafquote.com for more
