Steps to find a place off-campus
Finding a place to live in New York is both an accomplishment. From location and cost, to finding roommates and preparing documents, there is a lot to consider. Fortunately, you are not alone. If you’re planning to live off campus, your first source is
Off Campus Living at NYU. But, with these tips from former and current students, as well as further resources, we too are here to help support your search.
Step 1: Plan to arrive at least a week before classes start
If you plan to live off-campus, arrive early to allow adequate time for you to visit homes, and for your application to be processed. During this time, be sure to find a temporary place you can stay. For a list of short term stays and hotels in the city check out the
listing on NYU’s webpage,
Lease Break,
Ditch the Space.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Good apartments go quickly. Make sure you have a PDF file of the following documents readily accessible so that if and when you find a place, you’ll have what you need to submit an application right away:
- Passport
- Letter of acceptance to NYU
- If working on-campus or getting a scholarship/fellowship from NYU, a letter of employment from your supervisor indicating what you’re being paid and your start date
- Scholarship/funding letter if funded from some other external organization
Step 3: Find the websites that work best for you
Finding the right home begins with researching on the right website. Every site is equipped with their own set of filters and features homes based on different sets of criteria. Find the ones that work best for you. Some sites our students have had luck with include:
Confused by any of the terms or vocabulary you’re seeing on these sites?
Get the definitions of the most common terms!
Step 4: Determine where you want to live
New York is comprised of dozens of vibrant,
diverse neighborhoods. All of the options can seem endless. To help narrow down the scope, we’ve compiled a list of
important factors to consider that will help you decide which parts of New York to focus on.
Step 5: Visit each potential home in person
When the time comes to settle on a home, we encourage you to visit the place in person at least once before applying. Only in person can you truly assess how safe and comfortable you feel in this new environment. At the time of your application, be sure you have the proper documents and instant access to enough money to pay a month's rent and a security deposit.
