Apartment Hunting

<p>Hey, I'll be a sophomore come Fall 2010 and I'm starting my hunt for an apartment for that time, I can't wait to move out of the dorms!
As of right now, I'll be rooming with one other person so I'm looking for a 2 bedroom. Anyone know of anything under about $550/person within walking/biking distance?
Thanks!</p>

<p>oh and preferably furnished</p>

<p>A word of advice: don’t sign a lease until July. Seriously. Right now, all of the apartment complexes are claiming to have really great deals - it’s a bunch of BS. There are WAY too many apartments in Gainesville for college students to fill, and prices will drop as it gets closer to fall semester and complexes realize they’ve still got vacant buildings. My friend who signed a lease at one complex in March is paying $550; her roommate signed three months later and is paying $395 AND gets a better parking spot!</p>

<p>^^^
At The Estates, for instance, as that’s the only one I can speak to … my d’s already re-signed a lease for next year. By signing early she got a significant break on the rates. Also, there’s a paper they can sign which guarantees that if the rates go down, they won’t be locked into their current rates and will be given the new, lower rates. Last year, as they were new to The Estates … when rates went down after we signed them up in Feb, they were given Visa gift cards to cover the difference. Remember, there’s a lot of housing available in Gainesville. Go in and negotiate. Tell them you want to make sure that you are eligible for any decrease in rates that come after you might sign a lease. Have them put it in writing, and … like car shopping, be willing to walk out.</p>

<p>zebes</p>