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When to start looking

AmeriCorps members should start looking to secure housing as early as March. Columbus is where The Ohio State University is, so at times housing can be competitive, especially if you wait until the last minute. Columbus has plenty of housing options and it is not necessary for AmeriCorps members to sign leases that begin earlier than June/July. You will not be assigned to a school team until August, so you will sign a lease prior to knowing in which specific school you will serve.

Deciding where to live

You will need to make sure that the apartment fits your needs and is in the location that you desire. The most popular neighborhoods for our corps to live in include Clintonville and Old Towne East.

In most areas, but specifically around Clintonville, look for duplexes, town home and stand alone apartments, rather than apartment complexes as these may be more cost effective. If you have any questions about where to live, we are happy to discuss different neighborhoods and give feedback about specific addresses. Reach out to Christina via email (cbowerman@cityyear.org) for more advice on apartments or finding roommates.

Where are our schools?

North Columbus:

• Mifflin High School
• Linden McKinley STEM Academy
• Windsor STEM Academy

South Columbus:

• South High School
• Livingston Elementary

East Columbus:

• Trevitt Elementary
• Champion Middle School

��ɫ��Ƶ Columbus Office: Located in Italian Village.

Members find housing through online posting sites, word of mouth and sometimes on the ��ɫ��Ƶ Slack group (current members advertising their apartments). Postings should outline who to contact to learn more about the property, costs and lease terms.

Finding roommates

We will send out a survey for you to fill out in case you are interested in rooming with other AmeriCorps members. Please join the #housing-roommates thread in Slack to engage with other incoming AmeriCorps members about finding roommates.

Budgeting for housing and utilities

When renting an apartment, ask about the following fees, as they frequently apply.

• Broker’s fee – typically one month’s rent or a percentage or the annual lease
• Security deposit – typically one month’s rent, returned at the end of the lease if the property’s condition is maintained
• First month’s rent – typically due upon signing of the lease agreement
• Last month’s rent – may be requested upon signing of the lease agreement

Some utilities are included in the price of rent, so be sure to ask your landlord. When viewing apartments, most landlords or current tenants will gladly tell you the average price of utilities, so don’t be afraid to ask. It is also helpful to ask what utilities the house uses, such as gas or electric heat. Some units and buildings include laundry, for free or a cost, while others are located near laundromats.