More informationa about housing! Your bills, deposits and lease contract!

Hello Everyone,
     
Living in an apartment since my 2nd year of college, I have learned all the important details about housing in United States. To find an apartment and move in requires a certain process.

STEP #1 apply for an apartment and sign a lease contract
Lease contract is an agreement between you and apartment owner, where you have to provide all your information and sign in. First of all, they will want your current passport with visa. Also, you need to provide some finance statement that you will be able to pay the rent each month. You can either get a financial statement from your bank, or your I-20 will work as well.
Usually, lease contract is standing for 6 and 12 month. It means you have to stay and pay for your apartment for 6 or 12 month. There is no way to cancel or decline the leasing contract.So be sure you are going to stay for the whole period of time.
     Moreover, before move-in the leasing office want to collect deposit. Deposit means that you pay some amount money to the leasing office in case some of the property will be damaged. If not, you will get your money back at the end of the contract. All apartments have a different deposit amount, but its about $700-1000$ in average.

STEP #2 utilities and other expenses
     Besides paying the rent each month, you also need to pay your utility. It includes internet, water and electricity bills. Usually, for your utilities you can pay online,or write a check. The amount of utilities depends on how much you have been using water, or electricity. For instance, I pay like $150 per month for water, electricity and Wi-Fi internet.  Here is an example of paying bills for water online :

As you can see, everything you need is your bank card information and your address. And your log-in name and password of course ).

To summarize, here is a sample monthly budget for me living in an apartment:
rent:  $ 470 (this is my part of rent that I share with 2 people)
electricity:  $ 60
internet:$ 65
water:  $ 50
phone:  $ 30

I hope this post was helpful for you, and if you have any questions please let me know and text me.

Fun Activities on Campus

Hello Everybody! Welcome to my blog.

It's already September and now it is so hot in San Diego.
Today, I would like to tell you a little bit about fun activities in MiraCosta College. Besides classes and studying students also like to have fun at school with your friends. And everething is available here, in MiraCosta campus! During the year MiraCosta has a various events for students. Such as college hour, field trips, club activities and sport competition.

Students can find various clubs on MiraCosta college. We have different language clubs, like Chinese, Japanese, Italian. One of my favorite club is International Club. Clubs usually meets twice a month where they discuss different topics,studying together and plan a field trips! The attending of the club is totally free and this is a great way to meet new people with the same hobbies and interests.


Also, twice of each month we have an college hour, that is usually on Thursdays. College hours are organize by Mira Costa Associated Student Government. Imagine yourself outside sitting on a grass with other students relaxing and enjoying your time. Students have a free lunch and there are speakers and music around. College hour is a great way to have fun during the break or just relax off your classes. Also, during the college hour you might see different organization who is informing students about them and encourage them to join. College hour is a very fun event to attend to make your experience in MiraCosta more memorable and and excited!


Check out our MiraCosta Flicker account to find more amazing pictures from MiraCosta!
Halloween College Hour
College Hour 80th Anniversary
College Hour MiraCosta College