Off-Campus Housing: When To Start Looking?

<p>I want a one-bedroom somewhere in La Jolla (or in, say, Del Mar, near a 101 bus stop) that offers free parking and kitchen for residents. Laundry is something I'd like to have on site, but I'm willing to pay for it. It should be around $1000, I can deal with a bit more than that if need be.</p>

<p>But here's my real concern: I want to start living there in July, EARLIEST. I'd rather just wait until September or October to start living there. Should I start looking/inquiring NOW, though, before all the other UCSD students snag the off-campus housing? :( Will everything be taken by June/July/August/September?</p>

<p>When are you moving? I'm a little confused. Anyway, it's best to start looking about a month before.</p>

<p>It'll be hard to find a 1 br in a decent complex near UCSD for $1000/mo. It's hard to even find a studio for that price. However, you should be able to find a 2 br for double that price or less and share it with someone else if you want. I don't think you'll need to start renting as early as June but rather, by August/September - you'll have to take your chances and be ready to jump on one you like.</p>

<p>I suggest you start looking way early (like starting now thru early summer) to get an idea of what's out there and what the prices are and if you find a few places you'd be interested in, ask them about availability if you wait until Sept. I don't know why you'd wait till Oct since UCSD starts in Sept. I think you'll find they'll state the openings are available on a first come first served basis and they go quickly starting in August but especially September. If you're especially intersted in a particular one, ask what they require to be approved to rent it - some places require x amount of money in a bank account, credit checks, etc.</p>

<p>general guideline is march/april for june leases, june/july for aug/sept leases...but good luck with the latter. the price goes up by 100+/mo if you try for an aug/sept lease unless you get lucky.</p>

<p>past experience tells me one-bedroom apts are in the range of 1200-1400 unless you move really far away. two-bedrooms are 1600-2000 depending on the complex.</p>

<p>Rents tend to be cheaper in June/July vs. September since demand is lower and everyone is moving out.</p>