Living off-campus may be both thrilling and horrifying for college students. You want a location near the university, reasonably within your means, and—above all—safe. After an all-night at the library or a night out, it’s crucial to be able to get home without anxiety and sleep without feeling you have to keep one eye open even if it would be great to be at the corner from your preferred coffee shop.
If you’re not familiar with the area—we’re talking about you, freshmen—finding an apartment or house might be extremely intimidating. But it’s not impossible—you simply have to know what to look for. For this reason, we sought advice on locating a safe location to live and how to ensure your college residence is as safe as possible from safety and security professionals.
Do Your Research
Look at low-crime areas to narrow down your hunt before diving into college student apartments listings. This will provide you with current information on locations to avoid and the possible whereabouts of any registered sex offenders. After that, drive through these neighborhoods, preferably at different times of the day and night, to really feel the local scene.
Take A Good Look Outside
We advise you to have a good look at the outside of the house or building even if you are most likely more interested in the inside of the apartment. Look closely at the landscaping before starting. Ensure no shrubs in front of windows or against the structure are taller than two feet since these can block views and create possible security concerns. Furthermore, all trees should be cut to a minimum height of five feet to preserve good sightlines and improve the general look of the house. Appropriate landscaping not only enhances appearance but also is quite important for security and safety.
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Make Sure The Grounds Are Well-Maintained
Many off-campus residences are older structures and dwellings, which is OK as long as they have been maintained over the years. One must guarantee its maintenance. Check the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, as they are common causes of fires and possible health hazards. If you’re not smart in those areas, ask the landlord to send any recent year’s inspection reports or bring along a friend or family member who is.
Check The Safety Features
As safety depends on strong doors and dependable deadbolts, make sure the building you are looking at renting has these. We highlight the need to carefully make sure that every window has working locks, especially on the first floor, where security concerns are more likely. Ideally, you would locate a reasonably priced residence with already in place a security system. Should you come across such a choice, be sure to find out what the system requires—that is, whether it calls for surveillance cameras, alarms, or perhaps access to a security agency. Ask about any maintenance or service agreements that also help to guarantee the system stays running.
Easy Safety Upgrades
If your landlord hasn’t done so before, you might want to change the locks yourself. To ensure your entranceway is well-lit, replace regular bulbs in porch or outdoor fixtures with the highest-wattage LED bulbs authorized for those fixtures. Although some states may not require them, most homes must have smoke detectors; find local and state rules. Check your detectors; have your landlord fix any that are absent or faulty. If called for, replace them yourself.