If you attend the University of Georgia, you may be getting ready to start your first housing search near campus. With so many options in Athens, the leasing process can be difficult to navigate.
@ramblerathens Are you a UGA student struggling to decide which apartment is right for you? Here are 4 benefits of living in student apartments! #uga #godawgs #uga25 #uga26 ♬ In the Bosom – Sweet After Tears
At Rambler, we’ve helped hundreds of students and parents navigate the leasing process, and are often asked questions about apartments built for students.
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Living Off-Campus for UGA Students
For this reason, we will be answering some of our most commonly asked questions, including:
- What is purpose-built student housing?
- What are the benefits of student housing apartments?
- Are student housing apartments right for me?
What is purpose-built student housing?
Rambler Athens kitchens feature stainless steel appliances and white quartz countertops.
Purpose-built student housing is an industry term for housing that is designed specifically for college students. This type of housing, commonly known as student housing apartments, is the most popular choice for students and parents looking for off-campus housing in Athens.
Read Next: What are Purpose Built Student Housing Apartments?
Since purpose-built student housing is designed to specifically accommodate the UGA student lifestyle, they offer many amenities and features that traditional apartments do not.
What are the benefits of student housing apartments?
Representative bedroom at Rambler Athens.
Student housing apartments offer features that are tailored to students, most of which traditional apartments do not offer. These features typically include:
- Leases tied to the academic calendar
- Leases by the bed
- Fully-furnished apartments
- Study spaces
- Fitness centers
- Close proximity to UGA campus
Read Next: 6 Best Apartment Amenities in Athens, GA
Of these benefits, the two stand-out differentiators of purpose-built student housing are the lease type and furnishing.
The lease type offered by most purpose-built student housing apartments follow the UGA academic calendar. This means that the lease will begin in early-mid august and end on or around July 31st, allowing ample time to get settled before the school year begins.
Additionally, many purpose-built student housing apartments offer early-move in if necessary for sorority recruitment or other factors upon request.
Also, your lease will typically be “by the bed”, also known as an individual lease. In opposition to traditional leases, individual leases allow roommates to take responsibility for their room (or bed) and the use of communal spaces. In this circumstance, each resident signs their own lease and pays rent separately to their landlord, as opposed to altogether in one collective payment.
For example, if you live in a 4×4 (four bedrooms, four bathrooms) with three other roommates, each roommate will sign their own lease for their bedroom, bathroom, and use of common space. There are four individual leases signed, and each roommate is held responsible for their payment only.
Read Next: 5 Benefits of Signing an Individual Lease in Athens
The other key differentiator is that purpose-built student housing apartments typically come fully furnished.
This benefit not only minimizes furniture costs, but also takes some of the heavy-lifting out of your move-in and out. Also, if you study abroad or take an internship outside of Athens, you won’t have to store your furniture in a rental unit.
In addition, some student housing apartments in Athens may offer additional services, such as roommate matching or parking passes. Many sophomores and upperclassmen choose to live in downtown student housing apartments, such as Rambler, The Mark, and The Standard.
Are student housing apartments right for me?
Of the many housing options near UGA, student housing apartments are a top option for students wishing to live off-campus.
While the options for traditional housing in Athens are not lacking, there are many benefits to choosing purpose-built student housing over these traditional options. Though newly-constructed or renovated student housing apartments can cost more than traditional apartments, they offer a more streamlined rental process and less financial risk, appreciated by both students and parents.
We understand that student housing apartments aren’t for everyone, and your needs may not fall under those catered to by this option. If you prefer to live on-campus or in a traditional apartment, there are numerous options near UGA’s campus.
To help you better understand your housing options in Athens, we have developed this guide to housing near Athens: What Types of Housing Are Available for UGA Students?
We hope this article helped you understand the benefits of purpose-built student housing and if it is right for you.
If you have any questions about leasing a student housing apartment in Athens, feel free to contact our leasing team, who are happy to answer any questions you may have during your housing search!
