After acceptance, how do you find housing if you're in another state?

[joker937]

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Hello, everyone! 🙂 I live in a state other than the one that I'm going to start dental school at in September. How do people usually do the housing thing? Do you make a trip out to the school again and look at housing or do you just "wing it" and do it all online and hope that the apartment is decent? :/

 

[DOC YANKEM]

Most people look for affordable apartments that are nearby. Yes you have to PHYSICALLY make sure the living accommodations are suitable for your taste. Depending on the dental school, they have forms that you can fill out and they will help you find Apartments. For example, Touro does this because they are planning to demolish one of their buildings for dental student dorms only. This new building is estimated to be done by the arrival of class 2021 (probably June or July).

 

[Polkadotfan]

I've moved a lot. Most of the time we've gotten apartments without physically being there to scope out the area.
I do not recommend this. Never really had a problem exactly, but they've never been the best apartments lol
If you can, I'd try to check out the area (even just a midweek or weekend trip would be good!)
If you really can't then I'd say get in touch with other classmates and see where they're going or what previous classes recommend!

 

[DrSdreen]

Hello, everyone! 🙂 I live in a state other than the one that I'm going to start dental school at in September. How do people usually do the housing thing? Do you make a trip out to the school again and look at housing or do you just "wing it" and do it all online and hope that the apartment is decent? :/

Where did you decide to go?😉

 

[Typical Average Student]

Hello, everyone! 🙂 I live in a state other than the one that I'm going to start dental school at in September. How do people usually do the housing thing? Do you make a trip out to the school again and look at housing or do you just "wing it" and do it all online and hope that the apartment is decent? :/

You'll most likely want to take a few days out of your summer to scout out some apartments and set up a lease. Alternatively, you could find your class dental school page on Facebook and ask around what other people are doing, you can find roommates that way.

 

[C_BryantDDS]

You definitely need to go in person and scout out the area. My mom and I drove 6 hours to find me a place to live and made a fun little trip out of it.

 

[tyjacobs]

Hello, everyone! 🙂 I live in a state other than the one that I'm going to start dental school at in September. How do people usually do the housing thing? Do you make a trip out to the school again and look at housing or do you just "wing it" and do it all online and hope that the apartment is decent? :/

talk to older students in the school that you are going to -- they will help you out

but generally, its probably going to involve you to go to the school for a day or 2 to close a deal

 

[joker937]

Wow, thanks everyone! I think I decided that I'll go to the area in late Spring to check apartments out in person. Probably the safest thing to do!

 

[ncide]

I just went online and tried to find a spot across the country. So easy with Craigslist nowadays.

First couple tried to steal my credit card information but then I landed a legitimate offer... and I lucked out. Turns out that my apartment complex is hub central for trafficking narcotics. Now, I am fine with people getting their own fix, whatever, it's their own lives, but there is a constant reminder each day that I'm happy not to be addicted to crack or endlessly drunk. The funny thing is there's a police station right next door.

So, moral of the story is... go see the place in person. The photos may make the place look grand but it's good to see the area in person before signing a one year lease.

 

[Blueshirts]

Most people look for affordable apartments that are nearby. Yes you have to PHYSICALLY make sure the living accommodations are suitable for your taste. Depending on the dental school, they have forms that you can fill out and they will help you find Apartments. For example, Touro does this because they are planning to demolish one of their buildings for dental student dorms only. This new building is estimated to be done by the arrival of class 2021 (probably June or July).

Have they notified what building on campus? My guess would be Munger Pavillion..but demolishing that building would be incredibly costly

 

[DOC YANKEM]

Have they notified what building on campus? My guess would be Munger Pavillion..but demolishing that building would be incredibly costly

If you interviewed at Touro, then there was a tour. On the tour, the building used to be a ward and it's about 5 minutes drive away from the dental school.

Edit: the building has been inhabited for such a long time anyways.

 

[Blueshirts]

If you interviewed at Touro, then there was a tour. On the tour, the building used to be a ward and it's about 5 minutes drive away from the dental school.

Edit: the building has been inhabited for such a long time anyways.

Ya that sounds like it. Munger Pavillion hasn't been used for about a decade because all of the insulation was asbestos

 

[TLV-TUS]

Ya that sounds like it. Munger Pavillion hasn't been used for about a decade because all of the insulation was asbestos

I'm pretty sure that's what they said (including the reason for it being abandoned). I'm pretty sure they said it's going to be at least two years.

 

[Blueshirts]

I'm pretty sure that's what they said (including the reason for it being abandoned). I'm pretty sure they said it's going to be at least two years.

Ya I could imagine, it probably has to go through stringent inspection processes and I believe it has to be done by town or county certified individuals. If it does happen to be that building, the one positive is that there is a nice little path you can take from there to 19 skyline that cuts through the back of the parking lot if you look carefully. 5 minute walk max.

 

[schmoob]

I just went online and tried to find a spot across the country. So easy with Craigslist nowadays.

First couple tried to steal my credit card information but then I landed a legitimate offer... and I lucked out. Turns out that my apartment complex is hub central for trafficking narcotics. Now, I am fine with people getting their own fix, whatever, it's their own lives, but there is a constant reminder each day that I'm happy not to be addicted to crack or endlessly drunk. The funny thing is there's a police station right next door.

So, moral of the story is... go see the place in person. The photos may make the place look grand but it's good to see the area in person before signing a one year lease.

I think the moral of the story is stay away from Craigslist....

 

[shwayne]

 

[customx]

I rented out a house through AirBnB for 16 weeks so that I could get a better feel for the area near my school and take my time looking for housing. I negotiated a great rate, all utilities were included, and I eventually found another house near my school that I've been living in for over a year. You will be surprised at the number of hosts that will cut you a great deal if you tell them you're looking to rent their house for a couple of months

 

[whaleofatale]

Hello, everyone! 🙂 I live in a state other than the one that I'm going to start dental school at in September. How do people usually do the housing thing? Do you make a trip out to the school again and look at housing or do you just "wing it" and do it all online and hope that the apartment is decent? :/

If possible you should make a weekend trip to the city where you will be living to find an apartment. There are many apartment scams out there online and I have seen students be scammed in the past. If you are truly unable to afford a trip out to your city, try and find a roommate who already lives there who is willing to do the legwork of looking at places.

 

[Toothout]

You definitely need to go in person and scout out the area. My mom and I drove 6 hours to find me a place to live and made a fun little trip out of it.

I'm 20 hours away... 🙁