How can I make this move successful this time?

[GSD Fan]

I am very interested in a tech program offered by a community college in the state. The college is located in a small and what seems to be a peaceful town. The problem is, the town is an hour and a half away from where I live now, which is with my parents.

As you guys know, I moved into the dorms last year and withdrew due to problems in the dorms. I am definitely not going to live on campus, instead I am currently looking into apartments and rentals. I am thinking this a better choice, all of the apartment people I talked to insist their apartments are peaceful, quiet, and come down hard on violators. The dorm I went to did not do this, they just stated it's "dorm life". Also, most of the apartments I am looking at are spaced out and filled with a lot of elderly people.

I was just talking to my father and I agree with him that I should be more cautious when making a move. What I came up with is, what I worked with the apartment people? What if I did a trial basis for a week or two and if it didn't work, leave not having signed a lease?

Here is my questions to you guys:
1. What are the chances that MAYBE some apartments would be willing to work with me and have me on a trial basis?
2. Are there any other ways I can make this move successful? What other things do I need to consider?

The reason why I post this on a GSD forum, is because this forum has old folks on it. Old people know things. My parents are old, but I want some input from other and experienced people.

[LoveEcho]

Hmm... this is a tough one. I've never heard of an apartment doing a "trial" basis, and I'm not thinking there's a good chance of that happening, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Do you know anyone who goes to the school currently? Maybe you could try to stay with a friend for a few days, see how that works out.

When I was an undergrad (many years ago) I went home on weekends-- I lived in off-campus apartments (I went to UConn), that were USUALLY quiet during the week. It got rowdy on weekends, but since I was only an hour and a half or so away, it was fine to go home during the weekend. It was the best of both worlds. As "old school" as it sounds to say... taking the plunge and dealing with whatever neighbor issues may come up is a really necessary step to breaking out on your own. I HATED living in dorms (I actually got kicked out of housing my freshman year for fighting...shhhhh)... living in an apartment wasn't always easy, but the independence made dealing with the occasional BS do-able.

As for how to make the move successful-- attitude, 100%. That involves things like having a backup plan for bills, hairy neighbor situations, etc. If you go into it expecting to be miserable, you will be. Are you considering living with a roommate?

[Todd]

I lived in apartments for a lot of my life. A commercial complex most likely would not permit a trial basis...a privately owned apartment might, but I sort of doubt that too.

Look at the cars in the apartment complex. Look for hot rod looking cars with loud pipes (look at the size of the tailpipe...if its bigger than normal, it's probably loud). Loud music usually comes along with the loud car in a student oriented complex. At least that's what I've found living in some student complexs when I lived in college towns both as faculty and as an "old" student ;-)

A detached apartment that is privately owned might be the best given you would only have the owners to worry about for noise and that sort of thing.

Look at the neighborhood too. What kinds of businesses are nearby? Places that stay open late are usually noiser than businesses that close at normal hours. If you want quiet, it's probably best not to have anyone above you either if you move into a multi-story complex.

There's a lot of other things too depending on pets, laundry, and other amenities that may be important to you. Get everything in writing. I'm sure you'll hear a lot of good tips from the others, but this is the oddball stuff I could think of given the situation you described.

[GSD Fan]

Originally Posted by LoveEcho

Hmm... this is a tough one. I've never heard of an apartment doing a "trial" basis, and I'm not thinking there's a good chance of that happening, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Do you know anyone who goes to the school currently? Maybe you could try to stay with a friend for a few days, see how that works out.

When I was an undergrad (many years ago) I went home on weekends-- I lived in off-campus apartments (I went to UConn), that were USUALLY quiet during the week. It got rowdy on weekends, but since I was only an hour and a half or so away, it was fine to go home during the weekend. It was the best of both worlds. As "old school" as it sounds to say... taking the plunge and dealing with whatever neighbor issues may come up is a really necessary step to breaking out on your own. I HATED living in dorms (I actually got kicked out of housing my freshman year for fighting...shhhhh)... living in an apartment wasn't always easy, but the independence made dealing with the occasional BS do-able.

As for how to make the move successful-- attitude, 100%. That involves things like having a backup plan for bills, hairy neighbor situations, etc. If you go into it expecting to be miserable, you will be. Are you considering living with a roommate?

To answer your questions, no, I do not know anyone who goes currently. I do, however, have a distant relative who went recently. She is the aunt to my niece on the other side and she said she hated it. She said it was for two reasons: 1) it was boring and 2) I can't list it here on this forum because it'll make me look racist or prejudice. Not saying she is, but she said she preferred more people of her color.

So far, I have not found anyone willing to share an apartment. They are all filled up. The apartments I am looking at are for the elderly and disabled. They offer 2 bedroom for a great price, just gotta pay some bills.

[GSD Fan]

Originally Posted by Todd

I lived in apartments for a lot of my life. A commercial complex most likely would not permit a trial basis...a privately owned apartment might, but I sort of doubt that too.

Look at the cars in the apartment complex. Look for hot rod looking cars with loud pipes (look at the size of the tailpipe...if its bigger than normal, it's probably loud). Loud music usually comes along with the loud car in a student oriented complex. At least that's what I've found living in some student complexs when I lived in college towns both as faculty and as an "old" student ;-)

A detached apartment that is privately owned might be the best given you would only have the owners to worry about for noise and that sort of thing.

Look at the neighborhood too. What kinds of businesses are nearby? Places that stay open late are usually noiser than businesses that close at normal hours. If you want quiet, it's probably best not to have anyone above you either if you move into a multi-story complex.

There's a lot of other things too depending on pets, laundry, and other amenities that may be important to you. Get everything in writing. I'm sure you'll hear a lot of good tips from the others, but this is the oddball stuff I could think of given the situation you described.

Thank you, I certainly appreciate this and will note these things.

[GSD Fan]

Anyone else?

[DHau]

Originally Posted by GSD Fan

The reason why I post this on a GSD forum, is because this forum has old folks on it. Old people know things. My parents are old, but I want some input from other and experienced people.

I prefer the word experienced compared to old. lol.

No apartment complex will let you live there for a few weeks because this is a business to them. After a tenant moves out, the complex has to clean the place for the next tenant. That costs money. They would rather wait for somebody to make a commitment and have a steady income.

Just like investing in an area where you would purchase real estate, check out the neighbors by walking/driving through the area at different times of the day and week to get a feel of who you would be living with. If you have enough courage, talk to those who already live there. As for your question for living on a trial basis, what is the length of time required on the lease? Can you break it? Ask a lot of questions regarding your concerns and see what their rules are. Those are very important questions to ask because you have the right to expect certain things like security and quiet time after certain hours. Are the rules enforced? If not those may be grounds to get out of the contract.

Denise

[arycrest]

Have you thought about seeing if you could have a month-to-month lease instead of one for 12 or 18 months? Not exactly what you're looking for but all you have to do is give a 30 day written notice that you'll be moving if it doesn't work out.

[Liesje]

1. No change, not worth their time or money. The apartments I rented, even cheaper ones, all had an application process (which supposedly had a fee but was always waived), my landlord even did some kind of background/credit check on us. I actually preferred to have the credit check run, all the places I've lived in that did that were safe family places without a lot of noise or shady people loitering around at all hours. Also I've always been required to pay a security deposit up front, so the first month you pay 2 months rent. Some places allow a month to month or 3 month lease.
2. Just make sure if you do find a place everyone is on the same page. Like if you decided to back out, you might be required to pay a fee, lose your security deposit, or keep paying on the lease.

[KSdogowner]

Originally Posted by GSD Fan

The reason why I post this on a GSD forum, is because this forum has old folks on it. Old people know things. My parents are old, but I want some input from other and experienced people.

Well, ok....I admit....I am old....More than likely they will offer you a 6-months lease. I would be very surprised if anyone would offer you a non-contract stay at their house not knowing you. Never heard of an arrangement like that before unless the landlord knew the person or was related to them.