Moving to SLC for U of U? How Out-of-State Students Find Housing Without Getting Burned

Moving to Salt Lake City for the University of Utah is exciting, but finding housing from another state is where many students get burned. You are searching from far away, under time pressure, and often without local context. That combination is exactly what leads to bad leases, misleading listings, and expensive mistakes.

At Find My Place, we work with out-of-state students every year. The ones who struggle usually make the same mistakes. The ones who succeed follow a predictable process. This guide breaks down how out-of-state U of U students find housing safely, realistically, and without regret.

Why out-of-state students face higher housing risk

If you are moving from out of state, you are at a disadvantage in three key ways:

• You cannot tour easily
• You do not know local neighborhoods
• You are more likely to trust online listings

Scammers, aggressive leasing offices, and misleading listings all rely on these gaps. Knowing where problems happen is the first step to avoiding them.

Mistake 1: Trusting listings without local context

Apartment websites and listings do not explain:

• Which neighborhoods students actually live in
• What areas feel safe at night
• How far “near campus” really is
• What winter commuting is like

Out-of-state students often choose apartments that look close on a map but feel isolated or inconvenient in real life.

What to do instead

• Learn student-popular neighborhoods before browsing listings
• Ask current students where they live, not where apartments advertise
• Prioritize transit access and walkability over raw distance

Location mistakes are hard to undo once a lease is signed.

Mistake 2: Signing without seeing the real unit

Many out-of-state students sign based on:

• Stock photos
• Model units
• Virtual tours that hide flaws

This leads to surprises like outdated appliances, poor lighting, noise issues, or maintenance problems.

What to do instead

• Ask for a video walkthrough of the exact unit or same floor plan
• Request recent photos, not marketing images
• Ask when the unit was last renovated

If a property refuses to show the actual space, consider that a red flag.

Mistake 3: Underestimating the real cost of housing

Out-of-state students often budget based on rent alone. That is rarely accurate.

Common overlooked costs include:

• Utilities and utility caps
• Internet and technology fees
• Parking
• Amenity fees
• Renter’s insurance

These extras can add hundreds of dollars per month.

What to do instead

Ask for the total monthly cost in writing before signing. If they cannot provide it, assume the cost is higher than advertised.

Mistake 4: Not understanding lease structure

Lease structure matters more when you are far away.

Individual leases

Common in student housing.

• You are responsible only for your portion
• Roommate issues do not affect your rent
• Easier exit options

Joint leases

Common in houses and regular apartments.

• Everyone is responsible for full rent
• One roommate leaving affects everyone
• Much harder to exit early

Out-of-state students usually underestimate the risk of joint leases.

Mistake 5: Choosing roommates without screening

Distance makes roommate screening harder, but skipping it causes problems later.

Out-of-state students often:

• Accept the first available roommate
• Assume management matching is enough
• Avoid asking direct questions

This leads to lifestyle conflicts, noise issues, and financial stress.

What to do instead

• Video chat with potential roommates
• Ask about schedules, cleanliness, guests, and bills
• Confirm lease type and responsibility

Compatibility matters more than speed.

Mistake 6: Falling for urgency tactics

You will hear:

• “This unit will be gone today”
• “We need a deposit now”
• “Prices go up tomorrow”

Urgency is often used to prevent questions.

What to do instead

• Take at least 24 hours to review any lease
• Read every fee and clause
• Walk away if pressured to send money immediately

Real housing opportunities survive basic due diligence.

How out-of-state students find housing safely

Step 1: Start earlier than local students

Out-of-state students should start looking 5 to 6 months before move-in.

Earlier searches allow:

• Better availability
• Time for verification
• Less pressure-based decision making

Late searches force compromises.

Step 2: Use student-focused platforms

General rental sites are not designed for student contracts.

Student-focused platforms:

• Explain lease structure clearly
• Support individual leases and takeovers
• Attract renters who understand student housing

This reduces confusion and wasted conversations.

Step 3: Always verify management independently

Never trust contact information sent to you directly.

Verify by:

• Looking up the property independently
• Calling the official number
• Confirming pricing and availability

Never send money before verification.

Step 4: Ask for documentation, not promises

Out-of-state students should rely on written confirmation.

Always request:

• Lease drafts
• Fee breakdowns
• Utility cap details
• Parking policies

Verbal explanations do not protect you.

Step 5: Understand move-in logistics

Moving from out of state adds complexity.

Ask about:

• Move-in windows
• Key pickup process
• Furniture delivery timing
• Utility activation requirements

Poor coordination causes unnecessary stress on arrival.

Winter matters more than you think

Salt Lake City winters affect housing choices.

Out-of-state students often underestimate:

• Snow and ice
• Walking conditions
• Heating costs
• Parking challenges

Proximity to campus and transit matters more in winter than summer.

High-risk housing situations for out-of-state students

Be extra cautious if:

• The deal is significantly below market
• You are asked to pay before seeing a lease
• The landlord claims to be out of town
• Payment methods are unusual
• Communication avoids phone or video calls

These situations lead to most housing losses.

What parents should help with

Out-of-state students benefit when parents:

• Review leases
• Ask about total costs
• Confirm guarantor obligations
• Slow down rushed decisions

This is not about control. It is about protection.

How Find My Place helps out-of-state students

Find My Place was built for students who cannot rely on local knowledge.

• Transparent student housing information
• Clear cost comparisons
• Contract and lease takeover options
• Tools designed for remote decision-making

We help students avoid housing mistakes before they happen.

Final takeaway

Moving to Salt Lake City for the University of Utah does not have to mean getting burned on housing. The students who avoid regret do three things well: they start early, verify everything, and refuse to rush.

Out-of-state students are not doomed to make mistakes. They just need a smarter process than trusting listings and hoping for the best.

If you treat housing like a major decision instead of a checkbox, your move to SLC can start smoothly instead of stressfully.