There are some things you find out quickly in college; the dislike for dorm life is one of them. While it’s not the worst situation in the world, having a roommate in the same bedroom, sharing bathrooms with an entire floor, and being confined to a small space are not ideal. Luckily, Iowa City has so many apartments that are spacious, close to campus, and affordable. Here are my tips for finding an apartment for your second year:

1. Start looking early! Apartments go fast in college towns; consider starting your search in October and getting a lease signed sooner than later.
2. Look at multiple websites/renters. Apartments.com often doesn’t have all the available apartments, and sometimes has incorrect rent information in the listings. Consult different websites to find as many options as possible.
3. When thinking about roommates, make sure they are people you get along and can live with. Sometimes, living with your best friend doesn’t always work out (though it may for you). Make sure you’re all on the same page, too. While compromise is key, be careful not to let one person dominate the conversation. A good method is to create a list of all the things you want in an apartment, and maybe find some listings that you like. Comparing those with your roommates is a good way to find one that works for everyone.
4. Distance vs. cost is a common issue; decide what’s more important to you.
5. It’s also important to ensure that no other commitments will get in the way of renting the apartment. If you’re considering studying abroad or leaving town for a long period of time, an apartment might not be the best option. Your roommates should also discuss their commitments.
6. Cheap doesn’t always equate to poor quality. If you find an apartment that is cheap but are on the fence about it, tour it! One of the apartments I visited with my roommates didn’t seem like a good fit based on the pictures, but when we got there, it was much better.
7. Figure out which utilities are included in the apartments you find; sometimes rent that appears cheaper might cost more if you pay a lot for utilities.
8. When you tour the units, ask questions! The guide is there to help you. It’s important to be wary of sales tactics, but many people in Iowa City are honest and give you all the information you need. If possible, you could also ask tenants about the building and neighbors.
9. Review the lease carefully and make sure everything sounds manageable. If you’re unsure, have a parent or someone with renting experience look it over for you.
10. Sign the lease as soon as you can! Like I said before, apartments go fast. Sometimes you can apply for a unit that already has other applicants, but if you sign and pay the deposit first, it’s yours.

Apartment life is a decent investment; if you spread out the amount of money you pay for room and board over 12 months, it amounts to roughly $900 per month. Many believe that dorm life is the only way to go if they are borrowing or need financial aid, but that money can apply to apartments and you can even take out smaller loans.

I recently signed a lease for a unit with my two friends and I couldn’t be more excited for next year. I can’t wait to make the space my own and have a chance to experience an entirely new way of living.