# Travel >> Destinations >> United States

How to Find Housing When Moving to a New City

When planning to move to a new city, the first obstacle is finding a place to live. Housing requires multiple searches and inquiries before deciding on the right place. One of the best ways to find housing is by going to the area where you want to live and seeking out residences in the neighborhood, by foot or car. If moving to a city in another state or across the country, you still have plenty of options when looking for the right housing. During your search, look for listings with pictures and detailed descriptions. Before signing any leases, visit the property or enlist a friend's help in the city to check the property before moving in.

Instructions

- 1
  Find a broker service in the area where you want to live. Brokers keep listings of available housing on hand. The broker also must know details about the area and community, such as crime rates, housing development, demographics and general household income.
- 2
  Search for classified ads in the local newspaper for your destination city. The Sunday paper usually features a large real estate ad section where you can find the latest rentals and houses up for sale. Most newspapers also provide an online site with real estate ads if you do not have access to a print newspaper.
- 3
  Visit apartment and house listings online. Landlords and sellers place listings on a variety of websites with addresses, contact information, housing details and prices. Check out websites like ForRent.com, Apartments.com, Zillow and Craigslist. Many private sellers and landlords also place ads, which gives you a better chance to negotiate down payments or security deposits.
- 4
  Find a local realty agent with a listing of properties online in your area. When looking at housing listings online, check if the properties are listed by a certain realty agent. Visit the realty agent's website to see a complete list of properties or call the realtor to inquire about a specific area.
- 5
  Apply for rental assistance through the government's Housing and Urban Development program. If you have issues with finding a reasonably-priced home, the federal government offers an apartment search, public housing agencies and voucher programs for needy families. To see if you qualify and find a home, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website.
- 6
  Apply for housing with your college if you are a student moving to a new city. Most colleges offer rental assistance, whether you qualify for financial aid or not. You can also include housing in your tuition and live in a dormitory. Major universities may provide off-campus housing.. To check with your college, ask your advisor or call the college's registrar office.
- 7
  Post an ad on a roommate service website to find affordable housing with someone you like. Websites like Roomster, RommateClick.com and Roommate4u.com offer roommate finder services. Write up an ad about your personality, where you want to live, and how much you want to pay. Post your ad and wait for replies, or search other roommate ads. Many posters already live somewhere and post an ad looking for someone to move in immediately or sublet.