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Graduation's Over. Now Where Do I Live?

Photo credit: Brandi Worley More than 500 students, including new graduate Kayla Perkins, 21, a native of Baton Rouge, La., attended ceremonies May 12 at Southern University. The next step for many is finding a new place to live.

By Yewande Addie
Black College Wire

As a college graduate preparing to go off into the vast world of true adulthood, one of your first challenges is finding a new pad.

Living in "luxurious" yet affordable on-campus housing is no longer feasible, and it's time to find a personal abode. But how to start such a task?

First, find an affordable, yet comfortable place to live. Often, you may contact the property manager of a particular complex to inquire directly about any available housing.

One of the simplest ways to find a place is to let people know. Spreading the word can make it easier to learn who may have an extra room or who is moving out. Keep family members and friends abreast so they can be on the lookout as well.

The classified-ad section of the local newspaper, online listings and even the assistance of a broker are also big helps in the search for shelter.

Classifieds are an easy way to research specific locations, amenities, and how much space is affordable. Web sites are valuable because they are frequently updated.

If a place is not exactly in the right price range, but is simply stylishly irresistible, consider subleasing with a friend or with screened roommates.

The moving process can be quite overwhelming, so here are a few tips to help make the transition smooth:

• Figure out how much needs to be moved. Gauge the number of boxes needed and write down all large pieces of furniture. Determine which is best: renting a truck and moving alone or hiring a mover. Think about your moving budget, the strength required for lifting heavy items and time constraints.

• Determine any storage needs. If the new apartment is too small for all your belongings, consider storing some of them.

• Research storage companies. Remember, items can be stacked, so downgrading to a smaller space is practical, and so is saving money.

• Research truck rentals and movers. Some companies are efficient and timely and some break items or are late. Reviewing several firms can help one find a company that is affordable and competent.

• Find a friend to help you move. Friends can make a huge difference. Not only can they load boxes and help watch for careless handling of fragile items, but they can keep you sane!

• Schedule a date and time with the truck rental or mover company. Once a friend is available and you have determined the best time to move, call the truck rental company or mover and schedule a time to pick up the truck or for the movers to arrive. Some buildings restrict moving in to certain hours. Make sure the movers or truck-rental hours have been scheduled within these requirements. Try also to avoid rush hours.

• Pack. Allocate at least a week to pack and more if you are busy during the day or have a lot to move. It is wise to take off from work the day before and the day of the move for any last-minute errands and cleaning.

• Clean. If the landlord has to make a lot of repairs or do heavy cleaning, some of these costs could be deducted from the security deposit. So before leaving the apartment, sweep the floors, wipe the counters and inside the fridge, and clean the bathroom. Use spackling paste to fill in any holes in the wall or areas where large amounts of paint have chipped off.

• Walk through the apartment with the landlord or the landlord's representative. Schedule a walk-through with the landlord, and if there has been any uncertainty about the condition of the apartment, discuss anything that needs to be done to ensure that you get your security deposit back.

• Move! Load the rental truck or wait for the movers.

Yewande Addie, a student at Florida A&M University, writes for the Famuan.

Posted May 22, 2006