For teens heading to college or hitting the job market, this new journey into adulthood starts with finding housing. But navigating housing logistics and finding an option that checks all the right boxes for them isn’t always easy.
After all, for teens living away from home for the first time, the wrong housing option could become hard to manage. The right approach to a housing search, however, can lay the foundation for a better transition that sets your teen on a positive path.
Check out this guide to help teen students and their families navigate housing and logistics.
Determine Your Teen’s Priorities
Any effort to secure housing needs to start with a plan. For example, is your child planning to live in community housing, like a dorm? Sometimes new students are required to do this in a college setting. But, in some instances, students may have the flexibility to live off campus right away. While this option may come with a little more freedom, it also can come with greater costs and responsibilities that will impact their budget management.
Students need to consider how far they’re willing to travel to school or work, and what modes of transportation are available. Does your teen get an assigned parking space? You don’t want them to be circling their apartment constantly searching for a space.
Look for housing that won’t overextend your teen’s finances. And consider if they’d be sharing a bedroom with a roommate or have quiet, private spaces available for studying. It’s wise to write down priorities to help narrow them down their choices.
Consider the Housing Options
Some teens may find it easier to start their journeys into independence by living in a dormitory. Most colleges and boarding schools offer dorms that come furnished. They’ll also be close to classes and campus activities.
As another plus, dorms make it easier to build friendships since your teen would be living among other new students.
If your teen is craving a little more independence right away, look into apartments or shared housing. They may need to pursue a student furniture rental to ensure that they have comfortable seating and places to study.
They should be aware, too, that they could need to take responsibility for on-time lease and utility payments. Going into an apartment or house with a few friends or roommates can lower the total price.
If your teen will be living in a foreign country, then homestays may be their best bet. They’ll live with a host family that can serve as an anchor while they’re away from home. And they won’t need to worry about renting a dresser, bed, and other furniture items. They’ll also be able to become immersed in the culture and count on some home-cooked meals through a homestay.
What to Do Next
Tackling a move involves coordinating a lot of things. Aim to make a checklist to help stay organized and account for all college costs if your teen is also prepping for the semester. Plan on booking a rental truck or other form of transportation so you can get their items to their new home on time. Depending on the scope of the move, it may be worthwhile to hire professional movers to do the heavy lifting.
Make sure your teen has Wifi and other essentials, like water and AC, set up and ready to go. They should know if they need to make monthly rental deposits, and how to do that. Be certain your teen knows the contact info for their school’s housing office or landlord if they’re renting. And help your teen secure renter’s insurance. That way, they’re covered if anything is damaged or lost.
Find a New Home
Moving away from home can be both exciting and overwhelming. But when you and your teen enter the process armed with a checklist and clear budget, the transition will be smoother. Determine housing priorities and account for all associated costs before locking in housing.
Consider what furniture and decor are needed to make your teen’s new space feel like home. And secure all essential moving help ahead of time so you and your teen are ready when the big day arrives!
