Best Housing Choices for International Students in the US

In the US there is no dearth of accommodation facilities for students. Students can choose from a range of options available for accommodation, and it includes dorms to private apartments. Several factors affect student housing in the USA, and a student must consider all of them before choosing the place of accommodation. 

Affordable Rent

Rent varies from one place to another, and in rural areas, it is somewhere around $650 per month for a studio apartment. In urban centres, the rent can be considerably high, and it can go as high as $2500 per month for a studio apartment. The rent also tends to be on a higher side if the place of accommodation is near the campus. Most international students prefer living outside the campus as shared apartments are relatively cheaper than hostel accommodation within the campus. The average rent for an individual is around $400 per month in shared apartments. However, rent shouldn’t be the only factor that should be considered which brings us to the second factor in deciding the place of accommodation. 

Safety of the Student

The US has very good law and order but still not all the neighbourhoods are safe. There might be areas that aren’t good for students, especially international students who are alien to the American culture. Your safety should be the most important factor while deciding the place of accommodation. Even a safe neighbourhood is costing more, you should opt for that location than saving a few bucks, and risking your studies by getting into an unforeseen confrontation. 

Availability of Rooms 

There are certain locations near the university campuses that are reasonably affordable but gets filled pretty fast. It becomes important for students to book the housing facility well in advance since the rents tend to fill faster in peak admission sessions. The availability of room is not the same all the time, and you may end up paying more for a room which you could have rented earlier at a much lesser price. So, after getting the letter of acceptance you should start the search for rooms, and book it as soon as possible. 

Finding Partners

Try to find partners among the students studying at the same university. It will help you in getting an affordable place to stay, and also a reliable person. There are numerous social media groups for international students going to the US which helps them in connecting with other students who are looking for partners to live in shared apartments. You can also connect with Indian students studying over there who might have space to accommodate you in their apartment. 

Students can choose a range of accommodation options which we have already discussed above, and now we will be discussing these options in detail. We will provide all the details about each accommodation option which will help you in choosing the best possible option. You should also consider the best possible option by considering above mentioned factors to make an informed choice about the place of accommodation. 

University Dormitories 

University Dormitories are considered as the best place for freshers in college as there are a lot of conveniences. On-campus accommodation helps students in getting a safe and hygienic place to live. Living among students from different countries will itself be a great feat for you as it will help you in building connections, meeting new people, learning new cultures, and a ton of other stuff which you would miss living outside the campus. Another great advantage of living on the campus is the proximity to the college which will help you participate in academic events, attend regular classes, and other events. 

If you are planning to stay on the campus, you should apply for accommodation on the university website. In the US students are given various choices, and you can clearly state the preference. Students can opt for either catered or self-catered, private or shared washroom facilities, single-sex or mixed dorms, etc. The university chooses the best possible option for you, and after that, you can select a place of accommodation. 

Rented Apartments 

Shared apartments are also a great choice for students moving to the US for higher studies. Living in a rented apartment has its perks as you will neither be living alone nor will be disturbed by a crowd of friends. You will always have a private space in which nobody will intrude. It will be a great opportunity for you to understand the true American culture and way of living by residing with locals. Living in a shared apartment will also give you ample time to focus on studies without wasting time on gossip and roaming. 

There are certain things that you should keep in mind while renting a shared apartment. Always choose a location that is in close proximity even if it means slightly higher rent. It will help you save a lot of time commuting, and also you can use a bicycle or public transport. In the US, the universities understand your concerns about finding a place of accommodation. The universities have liaison officers who would help you with information on possible housing options available for the students. It’s always advised to first talk with the officer, gather all the information, and then take the final call on the place of residence. Talking to the liaison officer will give you certainty about the safety and security aspects of the locality where you are planning to rent an apartment. At times the universities also give the option of looking at shared apartments for living from the official website itself which further guarantees the safety and security of students.