How Soon Should I Start Looking for an Apartment Before Graduation?
Graduating from Texas A&M University is one of the biggest moments in your life 🎓. You’ve spent years building friendships, late-night studying, and cheering at Kyle Field, and now a whole new adventure is waiting — your next home in a brand-new city!
Whether you’re heading to Dallas, Austin, Houston, or another part of the Lone Star State 🌟, finding the right apartment is one of the first big steps toward building your post-grad life. But one question comes up for almost every Aggie senior: “When should I start looking for an apartment?”
The short answer: start about 90 days before graduation. That’s the sweet spot that gives you time to explore areas, compare rent prices 💰, and get your application ready without feeling rushed. Then, around 75 days before your desired move-in date, it’s the perfect time to start touring apartments — whether in person or virtually 📱.
Planning ahead makes the entire process smoother, helps you secure better pricing, and ensures you don’t miss out on your favorite floor plan before it’s gone.
🏡 Why 90 Days Is the Magic Number
When it comes to apartment hunting, timing is everything. Most luxury and mid-tier apartment communities in Texas begin pre-leasing units about 60–90 days in advance. By starting your search three months early, you’ll have first pick of new availability before it’s advertised to the general market.
Think of it like registration week at A&M — if you wait too long, the best “classes” (or in this case, the best floor plans) fill up fast.
Starting 90 days out allows you to:
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Compare different neighborhoods and commute times to your future job or grad school.
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Understand the average rent ranges for the city you’re moving to.
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Begin building a list of apartments that fit your priorities — like proximity to fun restaurants 🍔, dog parks 🐾, or nightlife spots.
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Get a feel for the vibe of each area before you commit.
Popular post-grad neighborhoods such as Uptown and Knox in Dallas, The Heights and Midtown in Houston, and South Congress or East Austin tend to move quickly, especially from March through June. If you’re aiming for one of those areas, early action gives you the inside track.
📋 The 75-Day Touring Window
Once you’re about 75 days out from your target move-in, it’s time to move from “research mode” into touring mode 🗓️.
Most apartment communities will begin confirming availability around this point, and you’ll get accurate pricing quotes. This is also when you can start locking in move-in specials or discounts that property managers offer for early commitments.
Here’s what to focus on during this stage:
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Tour at least 3–5 apartments in your preferred area — virtually if needed.
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Ask about move-in incentives like free rent, waived deposits, or reduced parking fees.
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Double-check lease start flexibility, especially if your new job start date is later in the summer.
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Bring necessary documents: proof of income or offer letter, ID, and any guarantor paperwork if needed.
This is your time to compare layouts, views, amenities, and neighborhood feel — and really visualize what “life after A&M” will look like.
📅 A Simple Month-by-Month Plan for Aggies
Here’s a practical month-by-month breakdown for Aggies graduating in May:
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January–February: Begin exploring where you might move. Research cities, companies, and neighborhoods. Get familiar with commute routes, gym options, and restaurants.
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March (90 days out): Start comparing apartment websites and noting your favorites. Reach out to Howdy Apartments for personal guidance — we’ll help narrow down your best fits fast.
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Mid-March to April (75 days out): Begin touring apartments in person or online. Start submitting applications for your top picks.
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May–June: Finalize your lease, celebrate graduation 🎉, and start packing! Your new adventure begins.
🏙️ Choosing the Right Texas City After Graduation
If you’re still deciding where to move, here’s a quick look at popular destinations for Aggies — and what makes each one special:
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Dallas: Known for strong job growth, tons of new luxury apartments, and a vibrant social scene in Uptown, Deep Ellum, and Knox. Perfect for business, tech, and design majors.
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Houston: Great for engineering, energy, and healthcare grads. The Heights and Montrose offer fun local spots, and Midtown is perfect for young professionals who love walkability.
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Austin: The startup capital of Texas! East Austin and South Congress are packed with cool coffee shops ☕, live music 🎶, and creative energy — great for tech and marketing grads.
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San Antonio: Slower pace, affordable rents, and a strong healthcare and education job base. Ideal if you want a relaxed city feel but still close to home.
Each city has its own personality, and finding a neighborhood that fits you is key. That’s where a local guide (like Howdy Apartments!) makes a huge difference.
💬 Your Free Aggie Apartment Matchmaker
If all this feels like a lot — don’t worry, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why Howdy Apartments exists.
Founded by an Aggie 🤘, our mission is to help graduating Aggies find the perfect apartment, stress-free and 100% FREE. We personally walk you through your best options, match you to great properties based on your budget and job location, and even set up your tours.
You’ll get personalized advice, not just a list of links — and every step of the process is guided by someone who understands Aggie life and the excitement (and stress!) of moving after graduation.
So before you start scrolling aimlessly through apartment websites, let us do the hard work for you. You’ve worked hard for that Aggie ring 💍 — now let’s find you a place that feels just as rewarding.
Aggies—find your perfect apartment in your new city for FREE with Howdy Apartments!
We’ll guide you on the best areas, recommend the right places, and even set up your tours. 100% free and Aggie-focused.
👉 Sign up here: howdyapartments.com/start
📲 Call or text me anytime: Grant – 214-492-9791