Housing costs can vary a lot especially when we begin to consider neighborhood alternatives. Costs change when considering what type of house or apartment you choose, roommates, and geographical location. Current listings in Brandeis University recommended platforms such as JumpOffCampus show shared rooms and apartments range all the way from $740 - $3,000 per person depending on what amenities are available. If you’re searching for a single or shared room, costs might decrease, but if you want to splurge for a larger apartment or room with less people the costs will begin to increase. This is why JumpOffCampus recommends searching with roommates to reduce costs. It’s also important to consider utilities and other additional costs that come attached to the apartment. Many apartments don’t include costs such as water, gas, or electricity into the rent, so make sure to ask your landlord and if possible past tenants what the costs have been in the past years to make estimates and choose the right apartment for you.

✩ Live with roommates: splitting costs from rent to utilities to groceries can really take a big load off your shoulders.

✩ Look beyond brand new apartments: it might be enticing to search for the newest and shiniest new apartment complex in the area, but their amenities can cost substantially more than an older apartment building.

✩ Search for rooms rather than apartments: this is especially useful if you don’t have roommates defined. Some listing are looking to fill a room and might not ask for as much money as an entire apartment. They might also con furnished which removes the expensive costs of having to buy a new bed or couch.

✩ Consider transportation and commuting: a cheap apartment might not be as cheap if you need to be constantly taking the public transportation or even buy a car and deal with gas, parking and other necessary car costs.

✩ Compare monthly costs: an apartment that costs $1,000 more but has utilities included might be cheaper than the $850 apartment without utilities included. With the winters getting colder and summers getting hotter, gas and electricity bills are increasing and without noticing they can rack up a bill.

Check out JumpOffCampus' article on the REAL cost of renting.

Check out JumpOffCampus and begin your search for off-campus apartments near Sacred Heart University now!