Renting an Apartment or Home

Your department may be able to assist you in finding an apartment or home to rent.  An unfurnished efficiency (bedroom/kitchenette/living area in one large space) apartment will cost a minimum of $500 per month; rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment starts at $600; unfurnished two-bedroom/two-bath apartments are at least $700 per month.  A small, three-bedroom house in a neighborhood with good public schools rents for approximately $1,200 per month, or more.  The size and location of the home or apartment determines the cost.

Apartment leases are available for three (3), six (6) and twelve (12) months.  The shorter the lease, the higher the rent you will be asked to pay.  Most leases include a clause which explains the cost of terminating the lease early.  Be sure to read a lease carefully before you sign it and be sure you understand the terms.  At the time you sign the lease, you will need to pay a deposit, which is reimbursed to you when you move out if the apartment or home is left in good condition and all fees due have been paid.  Deposits range from $100 - $200.  Some apartment complexes allow small pets with an additional deposit of $100-250. Rents usually do not include electric utilities and telephone service.

You will also need to rent or buy furniture, as well as purchase bed linens, dishes and other basic household items.  If you are a fellow or visiting faculty member, some kitchen items and small appliances are available through the UT Southwestern Loan Closet administered by the faculty wives. If you rent furniture, be sure to ask the rental company for the "economy package". Several popular rental furniture stores include Aaron Sales and Lease, Brook Furniture Rental, Cort Furniture Rental, Rent-A-Center and Rentway.

Also, the classified sections of local newspapers carry advertisements for moving sales, "garage" sales, and estate sales where you can purchase furniture from people who may be redecorating or leaving the Dallas area. Craig's List has a current internet listing of upcoming garage, moving and estate sales.

PLACES TO LOOK FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOME

• Ask your colleagues and friends
• Use an apartment locator service.  Some of these services are under the Quick Links section of this page.  
• Look in the newspaper (Dallas Morning News) classified advertisements section.
• Check bulletin boards around the UT Southwestern campus.
• Visit apartment complexes in an area where you wish to live.
• Call or visit realtors in the area where you wish to live.  Realtors will often have listings of privately owned condominiums and homes, many of which may be more spacious and better decorated than what a complex may offer, but also more expensive.