Monthly Archives: July 2020

The Most Expensive And Most Affordable Colleges

Congrats; you did it! You’ve been accepted to more than one college, but now comes the hard part. Choosing where you’re going to go attend college is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your lifetime, and choosing where you’re going to live during those unforgettable four (maybe five) years comes in at a close second. While a lot of freshmen go for the dorm life their first year, the majority of students who have done their time living on campus anxiously anticipate the day when they can live in their very first off-campus apartment or house. Sure, staying on campus has its (slim) advantages, but a place off-campus comes with some unbeatable perks and, for the most part, is cheaper than living on campus in the dorms. Time to say goodbye to restrictions and rules and hello to your new-found freedom!

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Kansas State: The 5 Most Popular Houses For Rent In Manhattan, KS.

If you’ve been dreaming of the day you’ll finally be able to move out of the dorms and into one of the houses for rent in Manhattan, KS, know that living off-campus is everything you could have dreamed of and more. Living in off-campus at Kansas State means you’ll no longer have to wait outside your room because your roommate put a sock on the door, or do an awkward shuffle to your RA’s room in your towel because you accidentally locked yourself out. Sure, there’s a little more responsibility on your end (trash/dishes/etc), but it’s also way cheaper than living in the dorms. Rentals in Manhattan, KS usually range anywhere from about $300 – $600 a month per person depending on what type of rental you choose.

When you’ve never lived outside of the safety net of the dorms, you may be a little overwhelmed at the idea of finding a place to rent, which is totes understandable since there are over 250 different apartments and houses for rent in Manhattan, KS on College Pads to choose from

Curious to know what houses are the most popular for Kansas State students? Well, step this way because we’ve got the inside scoop. Check out the list of the top five most popular houses for rent in Manhattan, KS for students at Kansas State University below. 

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Student’s Choice: Top 10 Rated Student Housing Companies

Off-campus student housing isn’t quite like it used to be, and these top ten companies on our list are prime examples of how this growing industry is taking off-campus student living to a whole new level. Hundreds of luxurious off-campus student oases have been popping up at college campuses nationwide over the years. These extravagant student abodes often draw in their residents with impressive amenities, like high-end furnished apartments with utilities, rooftop resort-style pools, cyber study lounges equipped with Macbooks, indoor and outdoor sports courts, movie theaters, and beyond! 

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How to Survive Your First Off-Campus Living Experience

If you’re coming off your freshman year, chances are you’ve learned how to survive the communal living experience (nightmare) they call the dorms. From loud neighbors, clingy roommates, and overcrowded bathrooms, you’ll have some of your best and worst times in the dorms.

Hopefully you’ve made it past that and you’re ready for your first taste of freedom living off campus. Whatever year you’re in, keep in mind the struggle is still real when you live off campus… it’s just different. You’ll have to learn how to fend for yourself for things like food, laundry, and there’s no longer staff to clean your bathroom. We at College Pads have lived it all, from dorms to dingy houses and even “high class” student apartments, so we put together some tips on how to survive your first year living off campus.

Pick the right place

Typical College ApartmentGranted, the typical college housing charm is inevitable to come with almost every student rental unit in existence, but make sure this is the right place for you. We’ve laid it all out in place, so why not set up showings at multiple places? Pick the area you want to live, whether that’s close to campus or within stumbling distance from your favorite bar. Make sure to get a walkthrough and make your decision after you’ve seen a few places that you like. That being said, remember that no place will be perfect… it’s just got to be perfect for you.  

Document everything before you move in

You’ll thank me when you get your security deposit back. Take photos and write down absolutely everything that you don’t want to get charged for when your lease is up. As long as you’ve taken care of this in the beginning, you won’t have to pay for any damage you didn’t create. Also, try not to burn the place down. This might be your apartment for your entire college career, or only a year, but treat it like it’s your own.

Pre-plan with your upcoming roommates

As cool as it may seem to have 4 TVs in the living room, and 3 couches, and 3 coffee tables… space will be limited. Make a checklist (or just use ours) to ensure you have all the appliances and furnishings you need without duplicates. Moving stuff is a hassle, so you should try to only do it once.
For advice on moving, check out our moving tips post.

A clean home is a happy home

Kitchen for College KidsYour parents will probably buy you a ton of cleaning supplies at the beginning of the year, try to actually use those. Keeping a clean house might not be the most fun thing to do on a Sunday afternoon, but it will minimize the amount of time you spend sick in bed. And make sure you always have a clean pair of underwear.

Find a perfect balance for food in the fridge

Refrigerator full of college student foodBuy food in advance so you’re not overdoing it on Chik-Fil-A and McDonalds every night, sure you might love it now but your body will thank you later. Make several meals at once and freeze them, it’s like the fast food you can keep in your home. Of course, you can’t buy too much and hog all the room in the fridge, so work together with your roommates to find a healthy balance.

Pay your rent on time

Late fees are real, and nobody likes paying extra money the didn’t have to. Same goes for utilities, if you let these slide they will come back and haunt you one day.

Don’t be afraid of the maintenance man

That apartment of yours doesn’t come cheap. Don’t be afraid to call the landlord whenever necessary to make sure everything is in working order.

Keep the peace

Whether you end up liking it or not, you’ll have to live with those roommates of yours until at least the end of the year. Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to speak up when you have an issue. Passive aggressive notes will only get you so far and an open line of communication will help make sure everyone is on the same page. Don’t be afraid of conflict, but don’t create it just for fun. Be mindful of your roommates and expect them to be mindful of you.

Be responsible

Those all night ragers are fun, I can’t lie to you. But keep in mind why you’re paying so much money to be in school and live in your totally awesome off campus apartment. Go to class, study hard, take care of your mental and physical health, but remember it’s okay to take breaks, sleep in, and have fun safe and responsibly. You won’t have an RA keeping you in check every night, so enjoy your freedom, but enjoy it wisely.