UCF freshmen aren't required to live on campus! In fact, there are many apartments for UCF freshman available so you can live close to campus while enjoying an off-campus lifestyle. Start your college career at UCF in comfort and ease with amenities that are perfect for students and proximity to locations around Orlando. Let 407apartments help you find your perfect first-year apartment.
Tips for Searching for Apartments for UCF Freshman
Location Near UCF
As a UCF freshman, you'll experience new independence with a new schedule, responsibilities, and commute. It's far more convenient to have an apartment location closer to UCF, especially as a freshman, as you're learning to navigate to and from campus and classes. Depending on your UCF campus, you may be within walking, biking, shuttle, bus, or car distance. Either way, we recommend determining what your transportation options will be and begin to home in your radius of options a convenient distance to your particular campus. Convenience is relative so you may be comfortable a bit further away if you'll have a car versus walking or biking.
Roommates for UCF Freshmen
Roommates can really enhance your college experience. While not required, starting your freshman year with roommates can be incredibly rewarding. You'll meet new people, make lifelong friends, and enjoy a host of other benefits. If you don't already have roommates to sign a lease with, a variety off-campus housing options near UCF offers
roommate matching services that help set you up with compatible companions.
Best Lease Types for UCF Freshmen
As you evaluate apartment options, you'll find that you can sign an individual or joint lease for your freshman apartment. In student-focused communities, individual leases are common. This lease type allows you to sign for just your room and means that each roommate is responsible for only their portion of the rent. A joint lease means that all roommates sign for the lease and that everyone is equally responsible for the rental agreement. This can be a bit riskier. For example, if one roommate doesn't pay their portion of the rent, everyone is responsible. As a freshman without rental history, you may also require a guarantor or co-signer on your lease so this is something to be aware of.
Features and Amenities
Many apartments offer awesome amenities that are perfect for UCF freshmen. We recommend paying attention to the following to get the most out of your floorplan and features. First, get an idea of the location of your desired apartment within the community. Is it too close to common areas that may be noisy? Does the kitchen come fully equipped so you can prepare meals at home? Do you need storage space? Are you ok hauling your laundry basket to the laundry facilities or would you prefer an in-unit washer and dryer? As for amenities, downtime is important too, and a great way to meet new people and spend quality time with friends in your freshman year. Be sure to check out the pool areas, common spaces, ane study rooms for your next group project!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live on campus at UCF my freshman year?
Nope! It's not a requirement to live on campus at UCF your freshman year. As a matter of fact, there are limited spots for on-campus housing so an off-campus apartment is a perfect option for your freshman year and beyond!
How do I find roommates for my apartment freshman year at UCF?
While you may already have roommates in mind, many don't! Not to worry. Many communities offer roommate matching services that help pair you up with companions to share your apartment. While approaches differ, the staff will collect info from you to create a profile that highlights your interests, habits like scheduling, and other fun details to help pair you up with roomies that would be compatible housemates. We've heard some great stories of people meeting lifelong friends this way. Keep an open mind and enjoy meeting new people!
What additional expenses should I consider for my freshman apartment at UCF?
While off-campus living comes with many positives, there are some important considerations for upfront and ongoing living expenses you should consider before making this decision. Living in an apartment means you'll need more furnishings than you would in a dorm room. This goes beyond a bed and couch. You'll need to obtain cookware, dishes, and possibly small kitchen appliances as you'll likely be preparing meals at home. You'll also need to factor in expenses like electricity, water, and the internet. There are definitely options for all-inclusive and/or furnished apartmenthomes which can help provide and/or cover some of these items on your list by either eliminating the need to purchase them or by lumping them into an easy to pay monthly bill.