Deciphering What You Need Versus What You Want In College Apartment Amenities

By Gretchen Kernbach on January 24, 2016

Living on your own is one of the best parts about college.

No sharing the same room with someone. No RA. And no agonizing hot days deprived of AC, or unbearable winter days without heat.

Whether you are a sophomore, junior, or senior, picking out a space to live for the school year can be stressful. With many sites and buildings to choose from, narrowing down what you want in your future space is important.

Let’s start off with the obvious. You may never have thought about it, but having a dishwasher saves lives. As college students, we are the laziest of all people. Hand washing dishes is bound to be a disaster that ends up with dirty plates and silverware everywhere.

Then that brings fruit flies, ants, you name it; maybe even a mouse. So first thing’s first — look for an apartment that has a dishwasher.

The Bowling Green, Kentucky student housing community won “Best Off-Campus Housing” according to Campus Suites.
Image via campussuites.com

Off of the flies and mice, apartment buildings sometimes offer professional pest control. Keep in mind, chemicals used to fight off pests can be dangerous if not used properly. The chore can even be time consuming and expensive. Save yourself the time and money and try to find a place offering pest control.

Having a washer and dryer is also essential. Piles of clothes build up fast and it can be a hassle to drive (or walk) over to a laundromat. Having these amenities on hand will save you time and motivate you to clean your clothes a little more often than those who use a laundromat.

For those of you who have a car, private parking may be an option for you. To always ensure that you have a spot, check out apartment sites that offer this convenience. Reserved parking spaces save you time, and walking distance to your apartment.

Remember, tenants typically have guests on the weekends so the lot could fill up. Not only are reserved spots important, but so are visitor spots. Your friends are probably less likely going to visit you if they have nowhere to park. And yes, there is the bus, but who actually wants to take the bus?

A private bathroom: something we all want but can’t all have. If you can find an apartment where everyone has their own bathroom, snag it. However, sharing two per bathroom is not a bad deal either. When it comes to sharing one bathroom with 3+ people, then you may want to reconsider.

Storage space is an amenity not a lot of students consider important, but it can prove essential. No one wants a cluttered apartment. Your kitchen and closet space will only be able to fit so much. For example, where will you keep your Rock Band set of drums? Where will you store your unused fans, your huge duffel bags after move in? These are things to consider.

The 21st century is all about technology. So good cell reception is an amenity to contemplate when picking out an apartment. However, keep in mind if you cannot find a living space where you get all five bars, you can always set up a Wi-Fi router in your apartment — problem solved.

Let’s get a little broader in amenities to look for when renting an apartment in college.

Location. Not only do you want to try to be close to campus, consider a living space that is close to a grocery or convenience store. Keep in mind auto expenses can add up, so being near a bus stop is also something to consider.

Privacy is also a universal essential when renting. Having a functional layout with a common room and then secluded bedrooms off of it is important. Although having housemates is a fun aspect of college, every once in awhile we need alone time. That is what our own bedrooms are for.

This is a layout of a four bedroom apartment, part of College Station Apartments in Normal, IL.
Image via collegestationapt.com.

The most important thing to consider above all is affordable rent. That is the first thing to consider when looking at apartments. You may fall in love with everything about it, but it all comes down to numbers. Also, compare things you need to those you want. A cheap living space may not have everything you dreamed of, but if it has the essentials you will be just fine.

Speaking of needing and wanting, there are amenities that really should not sway your decision. One of the most popular things students really want is a communal pool. Yes, it is nice, but highly unnecessary. Do not let this be a deciding factor when choosing an apartment complex.

Aerial view of The Ballpark Apartments in Austin, TX. Students have access to a pool in this complex.
Image via theballparkaustin.com

Another unnecessary amenity that influences students is access to an exercise facility. Chances are the college you attend already has a gym that you are free to use. Do not spend extra money to have access to exercise equipment you will hardly ever use. Instead, the location you choose should be safe for running. In that case, your workout is right there.

When looking for an apartment, think about what you need compared to what you want. What you need is a dishwasher, washer/dryer, parking, a good location, privacy, and reasonable rent. What you want is a pool. You have to be realistic when finding an apartment.

Mark down which of these amenities you need next time you search for a living space for the upcoming school year. Remember what is important and what isn’t. Living in an apartment should be fun and stress free; pick out the one that fits you.

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