moving half way across the country

[crazypumpkin]

I know I can't be the only one facing this, moving half way across the country to go to grad school. My move will be DC to Madison, WI. I'm struggling with how to find a place to live. Not the listings of places to rent, but how to figure out, from a distance, where I want to rent. I'm sure I could scrounge the money for a flight out there for

Comments

[t4yt4m]

I'm bucking up and visiting the apartments/houses I am interested in. Then again, I lived in the ghetto of Savannah, GA last year due to a "rush" decision on an apartment - so I'm a bit paranoid about actual location vs. the percieved location.

Luckly, my folks (I think) are footing the bill for me to apartment hunt for 2.5 days, as a graduation present on account that I will be footing the bill for grad school, and have foot the bill to travel home for the holidays for the past two years.

But if I were unable to go visit apartments, I would try to connect with someone who is in the area and might be willing to scope out properties (at least do a drive by of the neighborhood) in exchange for dinner. I would also just be really honest with the landlords and try to ask as many questions and get as many things in writing/photographs as possible.

[sinkopayshun]

I'm in Madison, actually. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

[aaskie]

This is what I am doing. Asking people I know for help. :)

They can verify the location bit and go visit my shortlisted apartments. I am from India and there is absolutely no way for me to go check out the places myself.

[crazypumpkin]

I actually have an idea on what area of the city I want to live. I think living with someone else my first year there would be a good idea. I guess between the number of apartment listings, I'm just so overwhelmed with the thought of finding a place and knowing that I'm getting a reasonable place.

[narfenugen]

While I didn't move very far for grad school and had some familiarity with the area I was moving to, I did have to do a lease without seeing the place first.

My suggestion is that you get a place with a month-to-month lease to start. That way, if the place isn't what it seemed to be, you don't have to live there too long.

[crazypumpkin]

Good idea, I hadn't thought about that. Thanks!

[kahlan_amnell]

I moved all the way across the country from New Hampshire to California. I didn't see my apartment before signing a lease for it. However, my parents insisted on sending one of their friends to look at it. I was ok with signing a least sight unseen, because I got a good feeling about the place, but my parents wanted to go look at apartments. Since there weren't many options, it didn't make sense to waste money to fly cross country just to look at one apartment complex. So having a friend look was a compromise.

The apartment is great, and I really lucked out to get such a good apartment.

So, if you can find someone to look at the apartments you're considering, that can help.

[ravenword]

A friend of mine moved from Boston to Berkeley for grad school. She found a CA-based roommate (another entering first-year) and the roommate was nice enough to scout all the apartments so my friend didn't have to fly in from the east coast. If you know you're going to need to share an apartment for budget reasons, you could try asking if current grad students are looking for roommates, or if any other incoming first years who are more local might want to room with you

[roseofjuly]

YAY Atlanta! Are you going to Emory?

[ravenword]

Yep, for a PhD in neuroscience!

[comodulate]

Exciting! What do you research?