Apartment Living Blog | Prospect Hall Apartments

A College Student’s Guide to Off-Campus Housing

Did you know that in the US there are 17.5 million undergrads and 4.3 million grad students enrolled in colleges? Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are many students who have chosen to study this year. If you’re one of those students, you might be considering getting off-campus housing. And, if you are, chances are you have many questions such as: Can I afford off-campus housing? How far from campus can I realistically live? How do I decide if it’s the right place for me? How do I find the right roommates? It’s stressful to think about these questions, especially right now, when you also have to worry about your safety and health on top of everything else during the current pandemic. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. In it, we’ll cover all the steps you’ll want to take and questions to ask when it comes to finding the right off-campus housing right here in Frederick, MD. That way, you can focus on what matters most: studying and enjoying college life. Read on to learn more. Research On-Campus Housing Requirements Many universities have on-campus housing requirements for undergrads, especially during the first few years of college. This is required because it adds to the student experience, fostering a sense of community among students, especially ones who are new to the school. However, you may feel that at this point you want a bit more independence. Maybe you and a few other friends want to rent a house where you can have a bit more space, privacy, and fun. But there’s no point in looking for a place if your college requires you to stay on-campus. Go to the campus housing office, and ask about what these rules are. Even if students are required to continue paying for housing through the college, some colleges offer off-campus housing through their system. If that’s the case, then you can still have the off-campus housing experience, but with everything set up by your college. This means you won’t have to worry as much about finding the right place for you—but it might also be pricier, since housing through a university usually is. Keep in mind, too, that many schools might have changed their on-campus housing requirements this year because of the current pandemic. Because of safety and health concerns, they might have adapted the rules so that you’re allowed to go off-campus even if you usually aren’t. Budget for Off-Campus Housing If you’re allowed to go off-campus, then it’s time to start thinking about the logistic considerations of making it happen. The first you’ll want to deal with is budgeting for off-campus housing. We know. Budgeting isn’t fun. But it’s necessary. The bright side? Off-campus housing is usually cheaper than on-campus housing. Whether your parents are helping you out with accommodations, or you’re working through school, it’s good news for anyone paying. To get started, put together an Excel or Google Drive sheet , and record how much you usually spend a month. Include how much you spend when you’re going out, textbooks, coffees you buy at the local cafe when studying, and any other regular costs. This will give you an idea of how much you spend per month outside of housing. Now, take a look at some of the off-campus housing that interests you. Add the monthly rent to your budget (by averaging the price of the choices you like), the deposit, and calculate how much utilities such as gas and electricity might be. If WiFi isn’t included, remember to add that too, if you’re planning on doing schoolwork from home. Once you’ve done all this, you’ll know how much money you’d be spending every month while paying for off-campus housing. If you can’t currently afford this amount, then you’ll want to find creative ways to save. For example, don’t buy so many coffees, or switch to buying used textbooks. If it’s still not affordable, then you have three options: (1) find some cheaper options for off-campus housing, (2) save a bit of money before you make this change, or (3) find a roommate. Keep in mind that we’ve also got a guide to budgeting blog post here that you can check out. Start Looking Once you know how much you can afford to pay for off-campus housing, it’s time to start looking. Research campus classifieds, as well as a database of off-campus housing, if your college has one. Post on Facebook too, and any online communities related to your school, to find out if there are any students looking for a roommate, whether they have a free room at their house or are looking for an additional person to find a house or apartment with. Once you’ve found student apartments, off-campus apartments, or houses that interest you, get in touch with the person or company renting out the company to visit these places. When you visit, ask yourself these questions as you walk around: Can I see myself living here? What about in this neighborhood? What are the pros of living here? What about the cons? Is this place close enough to campus that I’d be able to make my early morning classes in time? Additionally, you’ll want to ask the person giving you your tour questions about the apartment or house while they show you around. Ask about how they prefer you pay rent (cash or online?), and if there’s a chance of your rent going up. Ask if they require renter's insurance, and if there’s a deposit or any additional fees. Ask about the lease terms and read the lease thoroughly if they provide you with a copy. Additionally, ask logistic questions such as whether there’s parking available, if there are guest or pet policies, and if you can make changes to the apartment or home while living there. You’ll also want to ask, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic , about whether the place will be deep-cleaned before you move in. Especially if you’re moving in after other renters have been living there, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember to not get carried away when you find the perfect place. If there’s somewhere you really love, give yourself to make the decision with your head, not with your heart, by giving yourself some time to consider the decision before signing a lease. Additional Budget-Related Considerations Once you’ve looked at a few off-campus housing options, you might find that there are considerations you have to think about given budgeting limits. First of all, you need to think about whether you need a roommate so you can afford living where you want to. Choosing the Right Roommate If you already have a friend in mind you’d like to live with, that’s great! Before you decide to move in together, make sure there aren’t any personal issues that might actually make it difficult to live together, or habits that make you incompatible as roommates. After all, you don’t want to lose a close friend just because you live together! If you don’t have someone in mind, then you need to think about what you’re looking for in a roommate. Do you want them to have common interests with you? Would you prefer if they’re a student, too? What about habits and schedules? Will their music taste irritate you? Be aware of how you live your life, and how you will both be most productive and have the most fun while living off-campus. Once you’ve thought about this, you’ll have a good idea of the kind of person you prefer to live with. Location If you find that many off-campus apartments or student apartments are out of your price range, then you may need to reconsider the location of where you live. Generally speaking, options close to campus or near the center of town are going to be pricier. By being flexible about your location, and being okay with a long walk, bus ride, or short drive to campus, you can save a lot of money. Have More Questions? Do you have more questions about off-campus housing? Maybe you’re still unsure about the best places to find the right apartment or house for you, or you want to understand how leases work a bit better. Whatever your questions might be, we’re happy to answer them. Here at Prospect Hall Apartments, we’re experts in off-campus housing for students, and we’re here to help. Visit our contact us page to learn more.

Charity Spotlight: Zaching Against Cancer

The Rachuba Family Foundation is honored to regularly contribute and work with the Zaching Against Cancer Foundation (ZACF) in the ongoing fight against cancer. This quarter, Zaching Against Cancer is our featured non-profit. From now through March 31, The Rachuba Family Foundation is contributing $20 per move in at both Piney Ridge Apartments & Townhomes and Prospect Hall Apartments to ZACF. ZACF was founded by John & Christine Lederer after their son, Zachary, was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 18. Zach was in his freshman year at the University of Maryland when the diagnosis came. Following a brain surgery in January 2012, Zach’s father took a photo of him in a “strongman” pose, which then went viral around Zach’s community and beyond and became known as “Zaching.” While undergoing cancer treatment, Zach noticed the disparity in patient care when those receiving the same chemotherapy treatments as he was also stood at cold bus stops to commute to and from the hospital. Zach’s dream was to provide funds to cancer patients and their caregivers to help with transportation and other little things often overlooked that can mean the world to a patient. ZACF provides support, services, scholarships, and grants to both cancer patients and their caregivers. Through their Little Things Program, services such as grocery shopping, home repairs, and bill payments can be covered, lightening the load of daily life along with cancer. The Coping with Cannabis program assists patients in receiving approval through the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) to receive doctor-supervised pain treatments. Would you like to join us in supporting ZACF? There are a number of ways to donate, sponsor , volunteer, and even shop for some cool ZACF merchandise. Fun, fundraising events are held regularly including the annual Zaching Running Festival. Visit their website today to find out how you can help.

Helpful Ways to Deep-Clean Your Apartment for the New Year

We’re glad to welcome 2021 and get a fresh start. Why not give your apartment a fresh start, too? Not sure where to start? This guide is here to help you get a plan for getting your apartment in shape for the new year. Have Your Cleaning Supplies Ready Take stock of the supplies you already have. The easiest way to create a list is to gather all of your cleaning products in one place. From there, it’s easy to see that you need more bathroom cleaner, dusting cloths, or window cleaner. Make a list of any cleaning supplies you’re running low on or missing. If you’re on a budget, consider creating your own cleaning supplies! Remember that certain chemicals can be harmful to you and/or your pets. If you need to get new supplies, just remember to do research to find out how safe the product is and how it may react with the surfaces you’ll use it on. Also check for sales and check wholesale clubs such as BJ’s or Costco to find out if any savings are available. Online retailers like Grove Collaborative offer natural cleaning products delivered right to your door. Make A To-Do List The answer to this should be everything, but that can feel overwhelming to hear and tell yourself. The easiest way to combat cleaning fatigue is to write out a list of everything you would normally clean, and then add any extras you can think of. Be sure to include commonly overlooked areas such as ceiling fans, baseboards, the top of your refrigerator, your kitchen cabinets, and window treatments. The main thing here is to clean your house from top to bottom and not forget any of the small things. If the list is overwhelming, spread the cleaning out over several days or a week to make it more manageable. Clean the Outside of Your Apartment, Too The outside of your home is just as important as the inside. Wipe down your windows – inside and out – and sweep your patio or balcony. Take a look at your front entry door and make sure it sparkles just like the rest of your apartment. Give your doormat a thorough shake outside and, if it’s washable, toss it in the washer for a good cleaning. Declutter If you have extra stuff or a pile of items you’ve been meaning to donate, now is the best time to do so. Are there any clothes you’ve been wanting to sell? Go through your cabinets and see if there are any mugs or extra cups that should be cleared out. Review the books on your bookshelves and see if any can be donated to your local library or a nearby Little Free Library. Scour your pantry and cabinets for any food that you can donate to a local food pantry or food bank. If there are any items you’re looking to hold on to but are just taking up too much space, consider renting a storage unit to free up extra space in your home without getting rid of valuable items. This is also a great option for items like seasonal clothing and holiday décor, keeping it out of the way in your home until needed. Organize Once you’ve decluttered, you have the opportunity to organize or even redecorate! If a whole new look doesn’t fit in your schedule or budget right now, there are still some fun ways to add color to your home while organizing. Select some pretty organizers and boxes to add some shine or color to your home. Great places to shop include the Container Store, Ikea, and Target. For inspiration, check out a show or blog such as The Home Edit. Set Solid Habits Now that you’ve cleaned up, decluttered, and organized, it’s time to set some new habits for the new year. Set a regular cleaning schedule to help your apartment look this great year-round. Apps likZenDen, Motivated Moms, or Dirtfree can keep a running schedule and to-do list to help you stay on top of things. Prefer a paper option? Check out these beautiful home planners by Passionate Penny Pincher. Make Sure Your Apartment is Clean for the New Year! Using these helpful tips to clean your apartment, you’ll have it shining in no time. An even easier option, move in to an already clean apartment and set it up in an organized way. When you’re ready to make your next move contact us and we’ll help you tour in person or online.

2020 Recap: The Rachuba Family Foundation

At Rachuba, we’re committed to giving back in ways that make the biggest impacts within the communities we serve. This legacy of philanthropy was handed down through the generations, beginning with our grandfather, Ralph DeChiario, and father and founder of Rachuba, Larry Rachuba. In continuing our family’s tradition of giving, The Rachuba Family Foundation was created to support a number of local and national non-profit organizations. These include the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society , Zaching Against Cancer , Helping Up Mission , The Shrine of St. Anthony, and Our Lady of Hope, and many others. The foundation’s funding comes solely from our money generated from our family’s properties without outside fundraising or solicitation of funds. Over $20,000 in donations were made to various organizations in 2019. However, this year we have been able to increase our donation amount by 500%. As of November 2020, The Rachuba Family Foundation has made $99,150 in donations. We anticipate well over $100,000 in donations to be made by year’s end. Our Family Foundation looks forward to contributing significantly throughout the year in 2021. Follow our corporate blog or Rachuba on Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn to stay up to date and learn more about how we give back all year long.

Rachuba Adopts a Family for the Holidays

In the true spirit of giving, The Rachuba Family Foundation has adopted a family this holiday season through Springboard Community Services , a local Maryland nonprofit offering crisis intervention, counseling, case management, and psychiatric support to individuals and families. Our team collected lots of gifts for a family who were victims of domestic violence. Gifts included clothing for the entire family as well as educational toys, games, books, coloring items, LOL dolls, and bedding for the kids. American Express and Target gift cards, as well as others, were also added to the donation. If you’re looking to get involved, there are a number of ways to help Springboard Community services ranging from volunteer opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, and fundraising events. The Rachuba Family Foundation remains committed to our community and the organizations that help make them a better place to live for all. Click here to learn more about The Rachuba Family Foundation and how we give back throughout the year.

Prospect Hall Wins Bronze Star Award for 2020

Our Rachuba team is feeling GROOVY! This week we were awarded MMHA's Bronze Star Award for both Prospect Hall Apartments & Piney Ridge Apartments - making them some of the most fab communities to live at in Maryland. Our 70's-Themed Flash Mob Video also won our team a pizza party and our snazzy threads got us a prize in the photo booth contest!