For students looking for an off-campus apartment in Athens, the options can seem endless. It is comforting to know that there is a place for everyone, but it can feel overwhelming when trying to compare all the variables.
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Living Off-Campus for UGA Students
At Rambler, our leasing team has helped hundreds of students find housing and understand that finding the right apartment for you can be a difficult process. To help you understand which might be a better fit for you, we are comparing student housing vs. traditional apartments in Athens, GA.
@ramblerathens Student Housing vs. Traditional Housing: Here are 4 Things to Consider!!🏙️🏠 #uga #godawgs #uga25 #uga26 ♬ original sound – Rambler
Student Apartments vs. Traditional Apartments in Athens, GA
Athens has a variety of both student and traditional housing apartments. Student housing apartments are designed around the student lifestyle, and offer many amenities and high-end details. Traditional apartments are built for anyone to live in, so they typically do not have the tailored features and amenities that student housing apartments offer.
Read Next: What are Purpose Built Student Housing Apartments?
Amenities
The Mark Athens Rooftop Pool Deck, Photo Courtesy of Rent College Pads.
One of the most important factors in choosing a student apartment is the apartment’s amenity offering. Amenities like a gym, pool or lounge area can make all the difference in your experience.
Student housing apartments understand this and choose their amenities to target the wants and needs of UGA students. Amenities in student housing apartments often include fully furnished apartments, study spaces, pool decks, gyms and fitness centers, and lounges for students to socialize.
On the other hand, traditional apartments vary greatly in regard to their amenity offerings. Many of the traditional apartment options in Athens only offer the basics such as Wi-Fi, cable, trash and laundry. However, some options may include a gym and/or pool. It is always important to ask what specific amenities are offered at each apartment you tour.
Read Next: 6 Best Apartment Amenities in Athens, GA
Lease Type
Many students are first-time renters, so it’s important to ask the right questions before signing a lease.
There are two main types of leases- an individual lease (“by the bed” lease) and a traditional lease (“by the apartment” lease).
Student housing apartments offer individual leases, or “by the bed” leases. With an individual lease, each tenant is solely responsible for their personal space and share of common areas. Students and parents appreciate this type of lease, because it is comforting to know that you are not financially responsible for your roommates.
For example, if you live in a 3×3 (three bedrooms, three bathrooms) with two other roommates, you and each of your roommates will sign your own individual lease with the landlord for a specific bedroom and bathroom. In total, three leases will be signed and each roommate will be held responsible for paying their rent only.
Read Next: 5 Benefits of Leasing Early at The University of Georgia
On the other hand, traditional apartments offer traditional leases, or “by the apartment” leases. In a traditional lease, only one lease is signed between the landlord and all tenants. Rent is quoted for the entire apartment. Since your landlord will be setting the total rent price, it is up to you and your roommates to split the rent accordingly (and get it to your landlord on time).
Each roommate is held equally responsible for the entire apartment, including rent, utilities and any other fees. Additionally, if there is any damage to your apartment, you will all be held equally responsible for the repairs.
Lease Term
Your lease term for both student housing and traditional apartments in Athens will typically be for 12 months, but specific dates may vary.
Student housing apartment leases are conveniently scheduled around the academic calendar. In these apartments, your lease would typically begin early-mid August and end around July 31st.
If you are a member of a Greek organization on campus and need to move in early for recruitment, most student housing apartments will accommodate with the addition of a small fee.
For traditional apartments, lease terms and start dates can vary. Landlords will typically opt for a 12-month lease as opposed to a shorter term, but can start at any point throughout the year.
It is important to always read a lease carefully before signing, and make note of your move out date to avoid confusion.
Read Next: How to Sign a Lease at a Student Housing Apartment near UGA
Additional Features
During your housing search, you also want to consider the additional features offered by student housing apartments that traditional apartments often lack.
From roommate matching resources to community events and activities, these added features are made to fit the wants of UGA students and can have a significant impact on the time spent at your apartment. While traditional apartments offer different amenities depending on the complex, most only include the basics and don’t typically offer many additional features.
Pricing
Rental rates near UGA typically run anywhere from $400 to $2,000 per month. This large range is due to a number of factors such as location, age and amenities.
Student housing apartments are typically more expensive than traditional apartments. This is because these apartments are newer, located downtown and close to campus, and offer elevated amenities. Student housing apartments in Athens range from around $1,000 to $2,000 per bed, per month.
Read Next: How Much Does it Cost to Live Near the University of Georgia?
Traditional apartments are less predictable when it comes to price, their rates can fall anywhere in the range stated above. An older apartment with fewer amenities, farther from campus and downtown will fall in the lower end of this range. Apartments located in the heart of the city will often fall on the mid-high end of this range. Traditional apartment rent prices vary greatly due to a variety of factors, including amenities, location and age.
Community and Environment
The community and environment that you surround yourself with will set the tone for your year. It is important to find an apartment complex that suits you and how you wish to feel in your space.
In a student housing apartment complex, you will be neighbors with your peers. These apartments are social hubs for students, making them the ideal location for those looking to meet new people. Additionally, amenities and added features are offered to help make student lives easier and inspire involvement in the UGA community.
With traditional apartments, the environment of each complex will vary. Traditional apartments house all ages, and you may even be neighbors with a family. There is no guarantee that a traditional apartment will create the same college-community feel that student housing apartments provide.
We hope this article gives you a better understanding of the differences of student housing vs. traditional apartments.
If you have any additional questions or would like to learn more about Rambler, contact our leasing staff. We are more than happy to help you along in your housing search!
