Arizona State Students - Apartment Search

Arizona State graduates entering into the “real” world have two big factors to consider – where they are going to work, and where they are going to live. Choosing that first “grown up” apartment is a difficult choice, and recent grads should look at how they go about performing their Phoenix apartment search wisely. Saving money and using wise financial planning will make a dramatic difference in the rest of your life.

The first consideration before beginning a search for a Phoenix or Tempe apartment has to be your budget. If you are like most students, you will be leaving college with a large debt that you have to start paying back in six months, and you do not want to experience sticker shock at your apartment rent six months from now, and end up eating noodles and chili sauce like you just got done doing.

Typically, you should budget roughly no more than a third of your gross income toward housing. But you also want to have some money to furnish your place, to go out and have some fun, and maybe even go out on that occasional date. So, figure out what your priorities are in how you’ll be spending that paycheck, the first real one of your life.

Next, check out the neighborhoods. If you are in a major metropolitan area like Phoenix, neighborhoods vary drastically, sometimes just by crossing a street. Major cities like Phoenix all have certain neighborhoods that are filled with people your age. These neighborhoods have restaurants, bars and other ways of getting at your wallet within walking distance. It's also nice to rent a place that is a little ways away from the noise and craziness of campus, but still close enough that you don't spend eternity visiting your friends that are on the 5 or 8 year plan.

That isn’t to say that a large quiet neighborhood wouldn’t fit your lifestyle. But if you plan on throwing parties on a regular basis, it is probably a better idea to have those bashes where the neighbors are more likely to be party attendees, than the irate mother with the crying baby calling the police in with riot gear. No matter what community you choose, remember, you are not at the frat house anymore and nobody likes that guy or girl.

Transportation to and from your job is also a key factor. If you don’t own a car, then now is the time to think about that expense, too. Don't get yourself in to more trouble, you have a long life ahead of you, see our article on financial planning tips for Arizona State grads part 1 and Arizona State grads part 2 before making that big purchase. If you are in a section of Phoenix, such as Boulder Creek Apartments that is blessed with superior public transportation, then owning a car might not make sense.  Parking could end up costing you an arm and leg, and some neighborhoods have outrageous insurance ratings for car theft and vandalism. While most of our residents own cars, many of them choose a combination of walking and light rail; Phoenix's new light rail station offers a station at Papago park Center that is a half hour walk or short bicycle ride, which gives you a little exercise and the piece of mind knowing that you will never be stuck in traffic.

Then comes the dreaded question you might need to face: Can I suffer through living in an apartment with another roommate? Do I get a studio apartment, a one bedroom or a two bedroom? That neighborhood you are set on with that great apartment could be outrageously expensive. Getting a quality Phoenix rental doesn’t come cheap, but learn to look for value, not hype. Sometimes finding a total stranger through a classified ad or on Craigslist works out great – but sometimes they can end up being one of the greatest horror stories you will ever live through.

For more tips and ideas for Arizona State Students living on a budget, read some of the following stories: