Renting in Austin (extended stay, 2013, apartment complex)

[MQ1993]

I am almost 18 and I am a US citizen.
I found a lot of nice websites with good rent offers (including this one). Google Map does an amazing job review-wise.

Thing is I don't live in the US at the moment. Is it eventually possible for me to go straight to the apartment I want once I hit the airport? Or would they first have to see me or whatever. And would they NEED a credit card?

I need to get an apartment by this September.

[someguyatx]

Apartments will want proof that you have a job or money to pay rent.

[thedogatemyhomework]

You can usually find a place quickly, especially if you go to an apartment complex. But you will need to show proof of income and it may take a couple of days to get the paperwork done and approved. You may want to try and get one of those extended stay hotels for the first month to get yourself established. Good luck.

[MQ1993]

Originally Posted by thedogatemyhomework

But you will need to show proof of income and it may take a couple of days to get the paperwork done and approved. You may want to try and get one of those extended stay hotels for the first month to get yourself established. Good luck.

The problem is I would have to find me the job first. I found an online McDonalds application although I think they would want an interview first. Anyway, yeah I think I would have to stay at a hotel for a little bit. I hope they're not too expensive though.

[h886]

Originally Posted by MQ1993

The problem is I would have to find me the job first. I found an online McDonalds application although I think they would want an interview first. Anyway, yeah I think I would have to stay at a hotel for a little bit. I hope they're not too expensive though.

Do you have a parent who can come along and co-sign with you? You may need that in any case because you're so young and probably don't have a credit history.

Staying in a hotel could get quite expensive if you need to do that for awhile. I would not come without enough savings to get you through several months. McDonalds is not going to pay much and you may need to find a roommate.

[MQ1993]

Originally Posted by h886

Do you have a parent who can come along and co-sign with you? You may need that in any case because you're so young and probably don't have a credit history.

Staying in a hotel could get quite expensive if you need to do that for awhile. I would not come without enough savings to get you through several months. McDonalds is not going to pay much and you may need to find a roommate.

My dad might come and he might not. I'm planning for worst case scenario (where he doesn't come). The credit history never really struck me so I'm not sure what I'll do without the co-signing of my dad...

As for McDonalds; still assuming worst case scenario. I calculated minimum wage salary and I can probably manage with a roommate (I put $350 monthly into account... does that make sense?). Yeah the hotel will probably last for a week MAX since I would HOPEFULLY be able to find me a job and a place to stay (with the roommate) quick enough. I'll do my search online before I go and when I get on ground over there it will hopefully all be just face-to-face interviews.

Am I being rational here or does this all sound too impossible?

[h886]

Originally Posted by MQ1993

My dad might come and he might not. I'm planning for worst case scenario (where he doesn't come). The credit history never really struck me so I'm not sure what I'll do without the co-signing of my dad...

As for McDonalds; still assuming worst case scenario. I calculated minimum wage salary and I can probably manage with a roommate (I put $350 monthly into account... does that make sense?). Yeah the hotel will probably last for a week MAX since I would HOPEFULLY be able to find me a job and a place to stay (with the roommate) quick enough. I'll do my search online before I go and when I get on ground over there it will hopefully all be just face-to-face interviews.

Am I being rational here or does this all sound too impossible?

This does not sound like a solid plan.

You are coming from another country. You are under 18 now and at best will be barely 18 when you arrive. You have no credit history. You have no work history. You do not have a job lined up. You do not have significant savings. You likely will not have a co-signer.

Please understand that it may be hard for you to get a job. Even at McDonalds. Even if you do get a job, it may be hard to find transportation to that job. Our bus system is not very efficient. It might take you a long time if the McDonalds they hire you at is not near the complex where you find a roommate. And again, it may be hard to find an apartment. Most of the time they are leery of renting to 18-year-olds without a cosigner since you don't have a credit history and have no savings.

I would not come here until you have saved enough money to pay 6 months of expenses. I would save at least $4,000 before attempting a move.

[MQ1993]

Originally Posted by h886

This does not sound like a solid plan.

You are coming from another country. You are under 18 now and at best will be barely 18 when you arrive. You have no credit history. You have no work history. You do not have a job lined up. You do not have significant savings. You likely will not have a co-signer.

Please understand that it may be hard for you to get a job. Even at McDonalds. Even if you do get a job, it may be hard to find transportation to that job. Our bus system is not very efficient. It might take you a long time if the McDonalds they hire you at is not near the complex where you find a roommate. And again, it may be hard to find an apartment. Most of the time they are leery of renting to 18-year-olds without a cosigner since you don't have a credit history and have no savings.

I would not come here until you have saved enough money to pay 6 months of expenses. I would save at least $4,000 before attempting a move.

What you're saying is all true. So if my father decides to come with me and do all this co-signing; all my problems will be solved?

Will it be easier for me to get a job and an apartment close to this job (so I can, for example, cycle to work)?

And what would I need the $4000 for, if I may?

[MQ1993]

Oh and I need to start working MAXIMUM by September 15th. This is because I want to pay in-state tuition for UT-Austin and they gave me this deadline for me to start working (since working for 12 months in the state is a condition for establishing residency).

[h886]

Originally Posted by MQ1993

What you're saying is all true. So if my father decides to come with me and do all this co-signing; all my problems will be solved?

Will it be easier for me to get a job and an apartment close to this job (so I can, for example, cycle to work)?

And what would I need the $4000 for, if I may?

If your father has US bank accounts and is a US citizen (so they can go after his money if you don't pay), then that may help.

You need to have a cushion of money so that if you can't find a job right away (which is likely), you will be able to pay your expenses. How will you pay for food, electricity, health insurance? You need to try to live as close to work as possible. Austin is very spread out. You're talking about UT for next year (2012-2013), right? Have you applied? Been accepted? It's hard to get into UT. If you haven't been accepted, you may want to consider starting at ACC and transferring after a year or two.

Please think about this plan before you come.