If you’re living in an Athens student apartment, you’ll face the decision of moving to a new property or renewing your current lease. As a UGA student myself, I have faced the same decision, and understand that finding a student apartment can feel overwhelming.
With new properties opening almost every year and boasting new, state-of-the-art amenities it can be difficult to decide which apartment best fits your needs and lifestyle.
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Living Off-Campus for UGA Students
At Rambler, our leasing team has helped hundreds of students sign leases. We have gotten many questions about moving to a new property vs. renewing your lease.
To help you understand your options, we will be comparing moving to a new property vs. renewing your lease near UGA to help you decide which is right for you.
@ramblerathensDeciding between staying at your current apartment or moving to a new one? Here are some factors to consider Moving to a new Property Pros: • newer amenities • upgrade • potential new roommates and community Cons: • moving cost and time • pricing Renewing at your current apartment Pros: •comfort •no moving fees • keep the same roommates (could also be a con 😉) Cons: • same environment • potential rent increase♬ original sound – Rambler
Moving to a New Property in Athens
Pro: Newer Amenities
Rambler’s yoga studio with plenty of natural light is perfect for group classes or individual use.
The student housing market in Athens is competitive and constantly growing. To meet the rising demand, apartment complexes offer new and unique amenities in an effort to beat out their competitors.
These amenities range greatly in size and scope, from a fitness center or a pool to a basketball court or a golf simulator. In your apartment, you can look for features like floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in closets, and modern finishes.
If you highly value amenities and would enjoy having more than just the basics, a new development may be for you.
Con: Moving Costs and Time
One of the most draining aspects of getting a new apartment is the process of moving.
Though some properties offer moving services, most do not. Moving takes a lot of time and energy. It is usually an all day event, even if you plan to hire movers.
Pro: Upgrade
Representative bedroom at Rambler Athens.
If you choose to move into a new development in Athens, you have the advantage of being a part of the first group to live in that apartment complex.
You get to be the first person to sleep in your bedroom and take a shower in your bathroom. The entire building is brand new, so you are one of the first people to use the community amenities. Your new apartment will offer a sense of novelty, as you are the first person to call the space home.
Con: Pricing
While living in a newly constructed apartment brings top-of-the-line amenities and novelty, these come at a higher price point. The typical cost to live near the University of Georgia ranges from $400 to $2,000 depending on a variety of factors.
New, luxury student housing developments in Athens tend to fall on the mid-high end of this price range. On the other hand, renewing your current apartment lease may fall on either end of the price range.
If you live in a recently constructed property in Athens, your renewal rate will likely be similar to what you would pay in a new construction. On the other hand, if you live in an older complex, your renewal rate is likely to fall on the lower end of the spectrum. It is important to consider which option better fits into your budget while offering the best value for the cost.
Pro: New Roommates and Community
Rambler’s open floor plan lobby provides a comfortable space to study, relax, or gather with friends.
A newly constructed development not only offers newer amenities but also provides an opportunity to get immersed in a new community of students.
Since you and the other residents of the apartment complex will be the first group to live there, you all get to set the tone of the community.
Additionally, if you are planning to live with new roommates or change the number of roommates you have, you will likely have to move to a new space that accommodates your new living situation. In this case, it may be worth considering a move to a new apartment complex, since you would have to move units within your current complex anyway.
Con: Disruption and Stress
The process of packing, organizing and moving requires a great deal of time and energy. This process typically takes an entire day, if not longer, and can often involve logistical challenges and unforeseen complications that can make this process even more time-consuming and stressful.
Additionally, you will likely be between apartments for a couple of weeks in August. This allows for apartments to complete necessary maintenance and turnover between tenants. This can be inconvenient, especially if you plan to stay in Athens year-round, as you’ll need to find alternative housing or storage for your belongings during this time.
Renewing Your Lease in Athens
Pro: Comfort
When you choose to renew your lease, you stay in a comfortable environment. Staying in your same situation is comfortable and you know what to expect since you have already lived in your apartment. You likely have a good understanding of your property’s amenity offerings, community and staff.
Con: Same Environment
By renewing your lease, you choose to remain in the same environment for another year. Though having the same staff and amenity offerings can provide a sense of comfort, this comes with a lack of novelty. In addition, if your apartment complex has not been recently built, it may lack some of the newer amenities and modern finishes of a newer development.
Pro: No Moving Fees
One of the best perks of renewing your lease is the ability to keep all of your belongings in one place. Since you are able to remain in your apartment, there is no money or time spent on moving out.
Since Athens leases last from early to mid-August up until the end of July, there could be a couple weeks between leases. This may pose an inconvenience to students who are looking to stay in Athens. As a result, many students get storage units in Athens in order to hold all of their belongings while they are away.
If you renew your lease, you will typically be able to remain in your apartment during these weeks. Be sure to ask your apartment about their renewal policy to make sure you’ll be allowed to stay in your apartment between move out and move in.
Read Next: Which is Right for Me? Student Housing vs. Traditional Apartments in Athens, GA
Con: Potential Rent Increase
Many student housing apartments raise rent prices to keep up with the increasing costs in the housing market. For this reason, choosing to remain in the same apartment complex may cost a bit more than it did the previous year. If you are interested in renewing your lease, be sure to ask your leasing staff about pricing for the upcoming year.
Pro: Keep the Same Roommates
Roommates can have a huge impact on your university experience, especially in the first couple of years. Many UGA students live with their friends with the intention of keeping the same roommates for multiple years. For those who would like to keep the same group of roommates, it may be easier to renew your lease, as you will be living with the same people.
Moving vs. Renewing: Things to Consider
At the end of the day, you’ll want to ask yourself:
- Do I enjoy where I currently live?
- Do I feel safe at my property?
- Is my management reliable?
- Is my rent too expensive or could I afford something better?
- Is it worth it to move?
- Does this apartment still feel like home?
If your apartment still meets your needs and you value staying in the same place, you may want to consider renewing your lease. If you are tired of living in your apartment and are looking for newer amenities and features, you may want to consider moving to a new property in Athens.
Read Next: Where to Live near UGA if You Don’t Want to Live on Campus
We hope this article helped you better understand the pros and cons of moving to a new property vs. renewing your lease.
If you have any questions about Athens living or want to learn more about Rambler, contact our leasing staff, who are more than happy to answer any questions you may have during your student housing search.
