Housing Search Timeline

The process of moving off campus can be overwhelming at first. Check out our housing search timeline to get an idea of how to go about finding housing! 

 

Four pictures in a row, two of apartment complexes, one of an areial view of a neighborhood and the fourth of a fence around an apartment complex

 

First things first, you have a few decisions ahead of you before you can commit to a lease or a roommate.

  • Decide which neighborhood you want to live in.
    • The first thing you may want to do during the housing search is decide where in Austin you want to live? UT students typically live in the West Campus, Riverside, or North Campus neighborhoods. Check out our page on student neighborhoods in Austin on our website for more information. 
  • Narrow your search down to a few apartment complexes. 
    • Now that you have found your desired neighborhood, begin narrowing your search down to a few apartment complexes based on what amenities you are looking for
    • Use our off-campus marketplace to find buildings that fit your budget, desired amenities, etc. 
    • Our office recommends researching during the winter break.
  • Find Roommates:
    • Living alone or with roommates? Having a roommate may help with your budget as rent is usually lower with a roommate. 
    • We have a roommate finder on our off-campus housing marketplace. 
  • Begin touring and requesting information
    • Once you have found your roommates, begin touring the apartments you are interested in.
    • Our office recommends that we begin touring in January after winter break unless you have more specific requirements. Then we recommend trying to tour and sign in the Fall semester.
  • Decide which apartment you want to live in
    • Based on all of the information that you have gathered, decide which apartment you will be signing a lease for. 
  • Begin the leasing process 
    • Once you have chosen the apartment to live in, begin the leasing process. 
    • Be sure to fully read the lease before signing. 

 

Other general tips:

  • It is generally good to give yourself some time to resign if you are at a new place or with a new roommate. Give it a few months to make sure everything is not too good to be true. 
  • Things can change. Apartment complexes come under new management, roommates decide to study abroad and a whole list of other unexpected events. If you sign a lease early on, you are locked into that decision despite other's decisions. 
  • Don't feel pressured to sign before you're ready. Apartment complexes or roommates might push you in that direction but it is your choice and you can take your time. 
  • If you are more go with the flow, you can afford to sign later such as the Spring semester or early summer.