You have received an admit and you have made your mind to attend "XYZ" university in USA. Now you start looking for housing options . As it is not mandatory for Master's student to live on campus therefore all most all of us look for off campus housing.
Usually there will be a apartment complex near the university which I call it as desi housing. You would find usually all most all the desis live there.
The first thing to do is to search for the "Indian Student Association Page" for that particular university. A few universities have Indian student Association websites as well. Here are a few examples :
1) Indian Student Association OSU : http://www.isaosu.com/
2) Indian Student Association TAMU : http://tamuisa.tamu.edu/
These websites usually have their facebook page info. Try to talk to your seniors who are already studying there. Post in that group that you will be coming there in fall or spring and ask for affordable housing options.
One thing I would want to suggest you is that don't decide for roommate even before coming here. I have seen students who make groups on Whatsapp or facebook and they decide from India itself that they will stay together as roomates . It is sometimes not a good idea. I would suggest you to first come here ( usually Indian Student Associations provide you with temporary accommodation ) and then talk to a few guys and then decide. Sometimes you never know how the person is till you talk to him. It is just my observation and my personal opinion.
Also try not to sign a lease for a long term. I would always go with a 6 month contract . When you start living with your roommate there can be an instance where you feel like you cannot live the same person any more in the same house and if you have a longer leasing contract you would have to pay hefty fine to break out from the lease.
Try not to live very far from the university . Summers and winters can be extreme here in USA and it is difficult to walk a long distance if you stay far from your university . You would have your early morning 8 Am classes and trust me it is a difficult thing to walk in winters with wind blowing at a speed of 40 miles per hour. Buying a bicycle would be a good option as well.
Also usually here in USA apartment complex offers students referral money. So if your senior is referring you ask the leasing office is he is getting some kind of referral money . You can usually negotiate with your friend and you can keep half of it . Also once you are here you can also refer other students and this can save you some money ,
Once you move in the house make sure everything is working fine and the carpets are clean with no stains. If you don't report to your leasing office ( usually in 48 hours after your move in ) you would have to pay a fine after you leave the house.
Try to move in a new place rather than someone sub leasing you an apartment . You need to understand that if you sublease an apartment than you are responsible for paying any fine once you move out . So say the house which you are sub leasing has a stained carpet than you would have to pay the fine once you move out after six months even if it wasn't done by you.
I hope the above information helps. If you have something to add to it , do leave a comment below . Don't forget to like our facebook page for latest updates. Also follow us on Twitter.
You would also want to look at my article : How to Save Money in US
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