Single female student...rent a house? (2014, apartment, rental)

[sarahz2]

I'm starting grad school at IUPUI this fall 2014. I am in an apartment now and my lease ends next year, but I'm not really interested in living so close to students anymore (noise, etc), so I thought renting a small home might be a better option.

I am just browsing now and may start seriously searching next summer, but I was wondering if this is a good idea or not? I am not worried about maintenance or costs, thankfully I have family assistance and we are spending ~1200 on this apartment per month (way overpriced, but we needed something fast and coming from Virginia, I didn't have time to look around).

Also, would this be allowed, for a single student to live in a single family home without a cosigner (even if I offered to pay the year's rent upfront or with a letter stating I have loan support from the school, if needed)? My parents are helping me but I don't want them to have to co-sign.

If it is feasible, the main thing I am worried about is safety, i.e. being robbed. Can anyone recommend some safe places that are max 900/mo that isn't too far from downtown (no more than 20 mins)? Or, what are areas to avoid?

Thanks

[msamhunter]

Originally Posted by sarahz2

I'm starting grad school at IUPUI this fall 2014. I am in an apartment now and my lease ends next year, but I'm not really interested in living so close to students anymore (noise, etc), so I thought renting a small home might be a better option.

I am just browsing now and may start seriously searching next summer, but I was wondering if this is a good idea or not? I am not worried about maintenance or costs, thankfully I have family assistance and we are spending ~1200 on this apartment per month (way overpriced, but we needed something fast and coming from Virginia, I didn't have time to look around).

Also, would this be allowed, for a single student to live in a single family home without a cosigner (even if I offered to pay the year's rent upfront or with a letter stating I have loan support from the school, if needed)? My parents are helping me but I don't want them to have to co-sign.

If it is feasible, the main thing I am worried about is safety, i.e. being robbed. Can anyone recommend some safe places that are max 900/mo that isn't too far from downtown (no more than 20 mins)? Or, what are areas to avoid?

Thanks

Renting a house not any different than renting an apartment if you are going through a rental management company. If you are renting from the owner of said property direct there may be some, but generally terms of the lease so just make sure you have a written agreement.

[sarahz2]

Thanks @msamhunter - My apartment required either a cosigner or a bank statement showing that I had a year's worth of rent in there. I wasn't sure if this standard. But I could do either, I would prefer not having to get a cosigner involved though. I also wasn't sure if they would be willing to rent a larger place to a single person.

The reason I want a house instead is because I am in an intense program. I have to be up at very odd times to do odd things because I don't have time to do it during normal daylight hours. Taking a shower, cleaning th bathroom, vacuuming, cooking with loud pots at 3 AM just happens with my schedule...which is why I want a place of my own, so I can live my student life without worrying about irritating others...