If you attend the University of Georgia, you probably understand the allure of living downtown. The area is filled with amenity-rich apartments that appeal to students with their luxurious offerings and expansive views of downtown Athens and parts of North Campus.
The downtown Athens student housing market has become increasingly competitive in recent years. As a result, developers are producing new apartments with high-quality amenities and corresponding price tags.
While student apartments downtown tend to cost a bit more than apartments in other nearby areas, there are many ways to make downtown student living more affordable.
At Rambler, we understand that it is important for students to find housing at an affordable price point. To help you find quality student housing within your budget, we have compiled a list of eight ways that you can save money on student apartments near UGA.
@ramblerathens Here’s a couple ways to save some money on student apartments 💸💸 #uga #athensga #ramblerath #rambler #uga27 #godawgs ♬ Garden – 3scope
8 Ways to Save Money on Athens Student Apartments
1. Shared Bedrooms
Generally, the more square footage your apartment has, the higher the monthly rental rate. One great way to make the most of your square footage is to share a bedroom. Similar to dorm-style living, double occupancy bedrooms at student apartments are typically bigger than a traditional on-campus residence hall. A shared room at a student housing apartment can provide you and your roommate access to a luxe amenity package at an affordable rate.
If you are interested in dorm-style living, or sharing a room with a friend, double occupancy is a great option to consider.
2. Shared Bathrooms
If you don’t want to share a bedroom, but still want to save money each month, you can opt for a shared bathroom instead. This way, you still have a space that is all yours for when you want some privacy, but also save some money. Some apartments around Athens offer floor plans with shared bathrooms such as a 4×3, 4×2, 3×2, etc.
3. Bigger Floor Plans
Rambler is conveniently located just blocks from UGA campus.
Typically, the more roommates you have, the lower the monthly rental rate per roommate. For example, a 5×5 apartment will usually have a lower rental rate per roommate than a 1×1 or a 2×2 would be. This is because there is generally less square footage per person when you have more roommates.
4. Lease Early
In Athens, especially at new developments, the best way to guarantee the lowest prices on rental rates and parking without compromising space or amenities is to sign a lease early.
Most properties near UGA begin leasing about 11 months before the move-in date. For developments with the highest demand, students will typically sign a lease no later than seven to eight months in advance. This is one of the best ways to get first pick at your unit!
After a certain number of leases are signed, apartments typically raise rates by $10 to $20 a month, per person, in order to encourage people to sign their leases as early as possible.
So, if you’re looking to get the best deals at apartment complexes around Athens, be sure to sign your lease early to lock in a lower rate!
Read Next: 5 Benefits of Leasing Early at The University of Georgia
5. Look for Extras
Apartments in Athens differ when it comes to what is and is not included in the monthly rental rate.
To get the most bang for your buck, look for rates with extras included in the rental rate rather than extras that are offered at an additional cost. These extras may include anything from Wi-Fi or television packages to window or balcony premiums.
Make sure you ask the leasing staff about how add-ons between different units compare at each apartment complex.
6. Pick a Less Popular Unit
While we all would love to have a view that overlooks downtown or UGA’s North Campus, if you’re looking to save money, you should opt for less extravagant features. A great way to cut costs is to choose a unit that is not as popular.
An easy way to find these units is to set your sights on the lower levels of the apartment building, since they usually do not have the coveted views of downtown Athens that more expensive units might have. They also have the potential to be louder, especially if the lobby, gym or other amenities are located nearby.
Regardless of what floor you live on, not all units have scenic views of downtown Athens or the North Campus Quad. If you don’t mind a less desirable view, such as a courtyard or alleyway, consider choosing a floor plan with these types of views – it could save you a considerable amount of cash each month.
7. Limit Additional Costs
Before we get into how you can limit additional costs, here’s a list of some common ones:
- Application/admin fees
- Rental insurance
- Trash fees
- Moving costs
- Parking fees
- Pet fees
- Late fees
An easy way to save money on additional costs is to not bring a car to school. By living close to campus, you can walk to class, campus meetings and sports games.
Another way to eliminate an additional cost is to wait on getting a pet until after you graduate. Most units are pet-friendly, but they typically charge a pet deposit. Many apartments also charge a monthly pet fee on top of the deposit.
Finally, be sure to make all of your payments on time. This will avoid any late fees that may be charged to your account for a delayed payment. One helpful way to ensure you pay on time is setting up an automatic payment, which is offered at most student housing apartments around Athens.
8. Minimize Furniture Costs
While furnishing your apartment is a great way to be creative, it can get pricey if you are not cautious. Even though most home decor is optional, you can’t live in an apartment without necessities such as a bed or couch.
A great way to help buffer these costs is to choose a fully furnished unit. The good news is that most student apartments around Athens come fully furnished! These apartments can also help you avoid the process of selecting, purchasing and moving in furniture. This way, if you study abroad or take an internship out of town, you likely won’t need a storage unit to store your furniture.
If you decide that you prefer to furnish your own apartment, there are ways for students to cut down on furniture costs. You may want to consider shopping at discount furniture stores, consignment shops, or garage/yard sales to get the lowest prices on household items. You can often repurpose inexpensive or older pieces.
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Living Off-Campus for UGA Students
At the end of the day, there are a plethora of ways to save money on student housing apartments near UGA. Before you rule out living in the downtown neighborhood near North Campus, be sure to consider your many options so that you can take advantage of the best student housing deals near the University of Georgia.
If you are interested in living near North Campus, feel free to reach out to our leasing team, who is more than happy to answer any questions you may have about student housing.
