Where will you live when you turn 18? Will you go to a college dorm, live with family, find a place of your own, or choose to live with a friend who is anxious to have a roommate? Where ever you choose to live just know there are options. Know that searching for an apartment can be stressful and at times defeating. However, give yourself time to shop around and it can be super fun!

What to look for when searching for an apartment:

• What is the cost - Do not sign a lease for an apartment that is too expensive for you to rent
• Are utilities included - If not, add another $100+ to your monthly expenses
• What is the neighborhood like - If dark and scary, maybe consider some place more safe
• Who are your neighbors - Do they have small children, are they drug dealers, are they helpful, crabby, rude
• What are the lease policies - Can you break your lease agreement early, can you have pets, ;etc.
• Is there on or off street parking - Important if you have a car or friends who will stop by
• Is your landlord approachable - If there is a problem, do you feel comfortable talking to him/her
• Are the yard, hallways, and building clean - If not, maybe the landlord does not care about the place or people who live there

Helpful Links:

Apartments HQ
www.apartmentshq.com/
http://www.apartments.com/NorthDakota

Community Action
www.communityactionpartnership.com/

Federal Housing Administration
www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/fhahistory.cfm

Habitat for Humanity
www.habitat.org/

Housing Authorities in ND
http://www.affordablehousingonline.com/housingauthority.asp?State=ND

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
www.ndhfa.state.nd.us/

Shelters and Emergency Housing
www.hud.gov/local/nd/homeless/shelters.cfm

The Village Family Service Center
www.thevillagefamily.org/

USDA Housing Development Housing Programs
www.rurdev.usda.gov/ND/housing.htm