Your 2025 Penn State Apartment Checklist: What to Prepare Before Signing a Lease

I’ve always felt that searching for a new place—especially during a busy college year—comes with this odd mix of excitement and mild dread. You think you know exactly what you want, and then suddenly you’re knee-deep in questions you didn’t expect. If you’re looking at apartments Penn State students tend to gravitate toward for the 2025 school year, it helps to have a checklist that’s practical but not overwhelming. Something you can actually use, not one of those perfectly organized lists that somehow make the process feel even more complicated.

So, here’s a guide that’s more… real. The things I wish someone had said out loud before I signed my first lease.

1. Understand What’s Actually Included (and what’s quietly not)

It sounds obvious—maybe too obvious—but you’d be surprised how easy it is to skim a lease and assume utilities or internet are wrapped into the price. They might be. Or perhaps they’re not, and you won’t notice until your first bill arrives looking a little larger than expected.

Before signing anything, confirm:

• Electricity and water
• Internet and cable (if you need it)
• Trash and snow removal

A quick conversation with the leasing team at The Valley can clear things up. And honestly, it’s better to ask twice than guess once.

2. Tour the Space More Than Once if You Can

It’s strange how different an apartment can feel depending on the time of day. Morning light makes everything cheerful. Evening light can make the same room feel cramped. If you’re checking out apartments around Penn State, try swinging by a second time—even briefly.

When you do:

• Listen for noise from nearby roads.
• Check the cell service (yes, really).
• Notice airflow.

Little things matter when you’re there every day. I once signed a lease for a place I toured at noon, only to learn later that the hallway smelled like leftover takeout every night. It wasn’t the end of the world, but… still.

3. Review Your Commute and Daily Routine

Most people are quick to ask how far an apartment is from campus. But that’s only half the story. Think about where you actually spend your time. Grocery stores, bus stops, gyms, friends’ places—you get the idea. The Valley’s location makes this part pretty straightforward, though preferences vary. Some students want absolute convenience. Others like a little separation from the noise. There’s no wrong choice, just one that fits how you imagine your days unfolding.

4. Consider Amenities You’ll Actually Use

It’s easy to get dazzled by features that sound nice but won’t matter much after move-in. I used to think I needed every amenity under the sun, but in reality, I ended up using only two or three consistently.

Ask yourself:

• Will you really use a study lounge, or do you prefer your room?
• Are you planning to use on-site fitness spaces?
• Do you care more about parking or bike storage?

You can explore what The Valley offers right on their site: Amenities. Sometimes the simplest amenities—quiet spaces, reliable maintenance, enough outlets—make the biggest difference.

5. Read the Lease Slowly (even if you feel rushed)

Leases are long. And dense. And honestly, they aren’t written with students in mind. You might feel tempted to skim, especially if you’re eager to lock in your spot. But taking a slow read makes the whole year smoother.

Look for:

• Policies on guests
• Renewal deadlines
• Fees (late fees, parking fees, small-but-important ones)

If something sounds unclear, just ask. It doesn’t make you difficult; it makes you responsible.

6. Think About Move-In Now, Not Later

As odd as it sounds, imagining move-in day can help you decide if a place is right. Think about parking, elevator access, stairwells, and where you’ll store boxes. A little foresight saves a lot of stress. And if the community offers early move-in or helpful staff during busy days—that’s worth noting.

7. Trust Your Reaction to the Space

Sometimes, the practical points all check out, but something in your gut hesitates. Or the opposite—you walk in and feel surprisingly at ease. Both reactions deserve attention. Not everything needs a logical explanation. For many students choosing apartments near Penn State, that instinct ends up mattering more than they expect.