With the increased volume of individuals that are already vaccinated, the economy is already getting back little by little. One of these is the schools that are going to conduct limited face-to-face classes by next sem.
I know some of you are already excited to experience the "boarding life" especially the second-year students who haven't experienced boarding and stayed the rest of their first year in the comfort of their homes due to this pandemic. As a third-year student who has already experienced boarding, I'll share with you the things that you should consider in a boarding house.
Location
The location is very important when considering renting a boarding house. This will indicate the price and the availability of resources.
A boarding house which is near the schools is usually expensive because of the convenience it offers. So, expect that you are going to pay more when you get a boarding house if it's a walking distance from your school.
Also, do your research about your boarding house's location and the nearby establishments. Find out if it's a quiet place to stay in or in a crowded area. If the signal is strong or weak and what network works in that area.
The location also tells about the availability of your resources. Some of the boarding houses experience losing water during rush hours and frequent power interruptions. Choose a place where water and electricity are always available.
Price
There are a lot of factors that contribute to the price of the boarding house: location, size of the room, and amenities. You may encounter along with your college life stories on how other boarding houses are way too expensive and are not worth it.
I know you are imagining of your future room already that you're going to stay the rest of the time that you are not in school. You may want to keep a room all for yourself and want to have your own restroom. These types of rooms are usually expensive especially when the room is designed to cater to two people. Since you want a room for yourself, you will be obliged to pay for the rent of two people.
The amenities are also a factor in the pricing of a boarding house. Some places provide water heaters, fridges, kitchen areas, etc. If your chosen boarding house has all of these, then expect that it will be included in your monthly payment.
Availability of Resources
Some boarding houses have their own internet connections, water tanks, laundry shop, and cafeterias. These things will make your life easy but are also going to add up to your expenses.
Boarding houses usually charge 150 pesos per boarder for the internet connection. So, if you don't want to always buy a load, then this is the cheapest way you can have access to the internet. It also depends on the internet provider that the place currently has.
Water tanks are essential during rush hours. You don't want to take a bath using only a bucket of water. So, consider asking the landlord if there is an available water tank or if the place is not experiencing water loss.
Landlord and Housemates
Find a place or ask people if the landlord is nice towards the boarders or not. It is best if you find a landlord who really cares about the welfare of the boarders.
Also, consider your future housemates/ roommates. Check if they are easy to be with or can be trusted. They are the ones that you can trust and ask for help.
Always be vigilant, some roommates and landlords are nosy about your personal life and things. You can trust others but make sure that you stay vigilant to avoid unnecessary things to happen.
Reason
Identify the reason why you want to stay in a boarding house. Is it for the experience of boarding life, distance, etc? You may feel homesick sometimes so you should really think if you want to leave your house.
Final thoughts:
These are just the things that I look for in a boarding house. I hope this helps you find a good place. Also, it can apply to workers. Most especially, find a place that has a homey feeling where you can rest.
Author's Note:
I am at my final week of the semester and I will be taking a lot of exams this week and probably next week. I hope I will be able to squeeze in some articles even if I'm busy. Thank you for reading this!
Check out my previous articles:
This is so good mare, this really helps sa mga upcoming college students na mag bo boarding para maka kuha sila ng idea.