Sacred Heart University has an on-campus living requirement for your freshmen and sophomore years of college, so your off-campus search becomes more relevant during your junior year. If you're planning to move off campus after that, don't wait until the last minute to start looking.

At JumpOffCampus, we'd recommend starting your search during your sophomore year. This gives you time to figure out your budget, decide what you want in an apartment, find roommates, and compare different neighborhoods around Fairfield and the surrounding area. Once you've narrowed down what you're looking for, you can start reaching out to landlords and scheduling tours.

Once you have understood your apartment “must-haves” you can start reaching out to landlords so you can tour the apartments, which you can do after winter break. Remember to be presentable and make a good first impression with the landlords you meet. Your landlord can make or break your apartment experience, so keep that connection strong and friendly! Although not every timeline is the same, we at JumpOffCampus recommend you begin your search at the beginning of your second semester. If this feels to late, start even earlier! It’s never too early to begin searching especially if this gives you peace of mind.

✩ Understand your budget

✩ Decide if you want to live with roommates

✩ Research neighborhoods and distance from SHU

✩ Use off-campus listing platforms promoted by Sacred Heart University such as JumpOffCampus

✩ Decide if you want to use the public transportation or a car if needed

✩ Save the listings that match what you want

✩ Contact landlords

✩ Look for roommates if needed

✩ Schedule tours

✩ Compare leases and ask as many questions and you possibly need. Ask about utilities, understand move-in dates, rules and expectations within the lease and security deposits.

Don’t wait until you find the “perfect” apartment to start contacting landlords. The housing process moves quick and apartments fill even quicker so don’t leave it until the last minute.

✩ Confirm the address and make sure the listing matches the apartment

✩ Read and understand the lease before signing anything

✩ Understand move-in date

✩ Research and find renters insurance

If you haven’t found an apartment by this timeline don’t panic, but don’t stop searching! Expand your search to other neighborhoods, price ranges and apartment styles. If nothing ends up working out, Sacred Heart on-campus housing is always an alternative, so you can always search next year and learn from what didn’t work the first time around.

Check out JumpOffCampus and begin your search for off-campus apartments near Sacred Heart University now!