The Great South Oakland Apartment Hunt

It’s that time of year again, folks. Student housing time. You have probably heard the buzz around campus that people are starting to tour apartments, and you might think “Next year? We just got back! I’ll wait to look for housing. It will be fine.” You would be wrong. For student apartments in the South Oakland area (right below Pitt’s campus) you should have your lease taken care of for the next year by Thanksgiving break. At the latest, most students sign leases for the following year around Christmas.

I have a few qualms about this system though, and I, myself, have definitely fallen into the trap of signing a lease too soon to combat the fear of being stuck in the long run with nowhere decent to live. It’s important to remember that even though student housing can be a cut throat race to find the best place, you need to be thorough and sure before committing yourself to a year’s rent there. Even if you do not end up living there, it’s still your responsibility to pay that rent every month. In the following post, I detail lists of some things you need to know BEFORE signing your lease to your new bachelor or bachelorette pad.

First, you need to be certain on who you are living with. Before touring homes, have a candid talk with your friends on who plans on being roommates, because the last thing you want to do is tour a bunch of 3-bedroom apartments when you will need a 4-bedroom place, after all. Also, keep in mind that even though you love your best friend, they might not always be the best choice for a roommate. Your roommate should be someone who:

• Has similar cleaning standards to you

• Studies similarly to you in both how often they study and HOW they study o You do not want a roommate who needs to blast Akon during finals week if you need a study space with no noise

• You can communicate easily and comfortably with

• Follows a similar lifestyle o Different opinions on partying, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, etc. can really make for an uncomfortable living situation

• Is respectful of you, your things, and the space around them

• You enjoy being around a lot!

Next, you need to find a proper apartment set up that is cohesive to your lifestyles. If you have a dog, for instance, a place with ample yard space, or near a park, might be more conducive to you than a high-rise style apartment building. Also, know the area you’re looking in. South Oakland isn’t always the safest neighborhood, so try to avoid floor level entry-ways with minimal security to protect yourselves and your home from crime, such as robberies. Think of parking as well, as its commodity value in South Oakland is driven up due to the lack of available spots.

Overall, I cannot stress enough that you must DO YOUR RESEARCH. Know the property, the lease details, the landlord, and anything else you might find pertinent. Some good questions to ask the landlord when you tour the place would be:

• Who will be paying the utilities? How are those calculated?

• How many properties do you own? Are you from the area or nearby in case of an emergency?

• What is your policy on house-guests and pets?

• Have you had any issues with rodents or bugs?

• What is the policy regarding a security deposit?
  

Also, there are a few miscellaneous concerns you should keep in mind while trying to find the perfect place such as:

• If it looks gross when you’re touring it, it is. Do not sign for it.

• Landlords in South Oakland are notoriously “slum-lords.” They get away with swindling students into paying top-dollar for poor living conditions due to the high demand. Do not let them take advantage of you because of this.

• You will need renter’s insurance. Trust me.

• Weigh the cost towards your budget, spreading your funds too thin may lead to trouble down the road.

In the end, finding your first apartment away from home is both an exciting and daunting task. I promise, you will find the right fit, and enjoy your time making your new home. Good luck to you all, and happy hunting!