When to start looking for apartments?

[nm825]

How early should you start looking for roommates and apartments? I'm likely moving to Los Angeles from Connecticut for med school in August, and I really have no idea where to even begin, especially considering the fact that I know none of my classmates and know no one in Los Angeles. I lived in student housing all four years of undergrad, and I've never even gone through the apartment process.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

I have begun looking and been in contact w a lot of renters, and most of them have said they won't know what they will have open in August until end of May/June.

It just depends, can't hurt to start looking and through that process you will get more info.

 

[natti101]

I have begun looking and been in contact w a lot of renters, and most of them have said they won't know what they will have open in August until end of May/June.

It just depends, can't hurt to start looking and through that process you will get more info.

That's been the responses I've received too.

 

[Feelgood Inc]

I have begun looking and been in contact w a lot of renters, and most of them have said they won't know what they will have open in August until end of May/June.

It just depends, can't hurt to start looking and through that process you will get more info.

That's been the responses I've received too.

Thirding this. Feel free to inquire early though.

 

[DokterMom]

If you'll be moving far away, it doesn't hurt to learn the real estate market and line up potential roommates during second look weekend. You probably won't be in a position to sign a lease, but can determine which apartment complexes and neighborhoods are desirable or less so, what commute patterns look like, and what typical rent ranges are. That way, when the time comes to sign on the dotted line, you can make an informed decision and may be able to formalize things remotely.

 

[nm825]

If you'll be moving far away, it doesn't hurt to learn the real estate market and line up potential roommates during second look weekend. You probably won't be in a position to sign a lease, but can determine which apartment complexes and neighborhoods are desirable or less so, what commute patterns look like, and what typical rent ranges are. That way, when the time comes to sign on the dotted line, you can make an informed decision and may be able to formalize things remotely.

Unfortunately, USC doesn't have a second-look day.

Would you recommend flying across country some time early in the summer (May-June) for a couple of days to look at apartments, especially if I end up living by myself? I'd really rather not spend ~$700 on cross-country flight/lodging, but I also don't want to end up in a rat-infested apartment or one in a bad area.

 

[Araneidae]

I'm in an even shorter time crunch. I'm moving to VA from MD, which luckily isn't too far, but I own my condo and need to sell it and buy or rent a place in Richmond. And I'm going to MD/PhD, so I need to be set up there by early summer. And I just got in! Woooo stress! (but exciting)

 

[g gnome]

How early should you start looking for roommates and apartments? I'm likely moving to Los Angeles from Connecticut for med school in August, and I really have no idea where to even begin, especially considering the fact that I know none of my classmates and know no one in Los Angeles. I lived in student housing all four years of undergrad, and I've never even gone through the apartment process.

Craigslist is great for finding apartments in my experienced, just be smart about it. Try www.hotpads.com to get an idea of what the pricing is for the area that you're looking, and than go from there. Trulia is another good apartment website. Also, contact real estate companies with several properties. Ideally, you could line up several properties for a single day to reduce time lost for school/work.

Right now is a little early perhaps to lock anything down, but it depends on the market. I can't speak to what LA is like.

 

[1nnocuous]

Sometimes you can hire a realtor to do the apartment searching for you. You'd give them a list of wants/needs and then pay them a broker fee for their work. Also reach out to 4th year students that are moving.

 

[LChristmas]

Does your school have any resources for students in your position? Maybe try the current class thread to see what others are doing. Upperclassmen can be a great resource for things like this.

 

[DokterMom]

Unfortunately, USC doesn't have a second-look day.

Would you recommend flying across country some time early in the summer (May-June) for a couple of days to look at apartments, especially if I end up living by myself? I'd really rather not spend ~$700 on cross-country flight/lodging, but I also don't want to end up in a rat-infested apartment or one in a bad area.

That's always an option, of course, but I'd try other options (cheaper) first -- your class' Facebook page, Craigslist, asking older students, admissions office. What's your tolerance for rats / bad neighborhood / bad commute / just ugly apartment / tiny space / moving twice / over-paying? I find it helps to define your most- and least-tolerable problems and work from there. I'd happily move twice and live in a tiny apartment over a nasty commute and something ugly; and knowing that allows me to make decisions that fit my preferences better.

 

[mmmcdowe]

ASAP, get everything set up as soon as you are sure where you are going. IMO it is worth paying an extra month of rent to move in early before med school, get settled, and acclimate to your new environment.

 

[Tman90]

.

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

I actually contacted a few through craigslist, I always mentioned I am moving for med school (they seem more willing to help that way). A few called back and said they couldn't help me but offered suggestions and things I will want in housing (since I'm moving from AZ to a snow heavy state). I also googled rental companies in the city, and called a few of them.

 

[LChristmas]

I typed 'apartments' into Google Maps and zoomed to the area around my school. I found more than enough options with this method. Granted, I'll have the oppotunity to visit these places before moving, but it was a great way to get a shortlist of places I can see myself living.

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

I typed 'apartments' into Google Maps and zoomed to the area around my school. I found more than enough options with this method. Granted, I'll have the oppotunity to visit these places before moving, but it was a great way to get a shortlist of places I can see myself living.

I am moving to a town of 10,000 people! lol I tried this and nothing came up!

totally a good method though, sad it didn't work for my area!

 

[mmmcdowe]

Trulia isn't a bad way to find apartments geographically, you can draw a circle around your preferred area.

 

[Apramana]

I've had tremendous success with http://www.padmapper.com/ , which seems to aggregate rental listings from a variety of websites and places them on a Google Maps page.

Edit: We can also specify a wealth of desired parameters, like a rent range, # of bedrooms & bathrooms, lease terms, etc.

 

[laf53221]

Are you on the class Facebook page? There was a mention of a revisit type event/housing suggestions provided by the Alumni Association (Salerni Collegium). They said more information would be emailed once they confirmed dates. You may be able to scope out potential places/roommates then.

 

[Gibbward]

ASAP, get everything set up as soon as you are sure where you are going. IMO it is worth paying an extra month of rent to move in early before med school, get settled, and acclimate to your new environment.

+10 to this. Aside from acclimating yourself to the insanely nice weather and smog-filled skies, you'll also avoid the mass move-in that happens right before the school year starts.