Off-Campus House Hunting Tips

posted by Annie on Mar 08, 2013 Leave a comment

So you’ve applied to live on UBC residence next year and you were just told that you are the 2023th person on the wait-list. Uh oh, what now?

Don’t panic! The good news is you are not alone in this. As hundreds of students are starting the hunt for off-campus housing for the summer and next school year, we here at Kijiji have come up with a few tips for you as you begin shopping for your perfect off-campus home!

Photo via The Vancouver Observer

• First things first: plan out your budget! There is nothing worse than spending money that you don’t have. Make sure to include things like utilities, internet costs, cell phone bills and laundry fees into your calculations.
• Perhaps some of your friends who also didn’t get into residence want to join your search! Ask around. Having roommates is a great way to help pay for things that basic rent may not include.
• Talk to the landlord. Ask questions regarding things such as minimum lease time, amount of security deposit, noise policies, neighbours, etc. In a few weeks, we will be writing another email with a checklist of some of the best questions to ask landlords, so stay tuned!
• Since you will be living off campus, be sure to check out the nearest transit routes to campus to avoid stressful daily commutes.
• Lastly, after finding a place you’re interested in, search comparable rentals on Kijiji or other rental sites to ensure that the rent price is competitive with the rest of the market.

Happy house hunting and may the odds be ever in your favour!

SLC Photo Contest Winner

posted by Annie on Feb 14, 2013 Leave a comment

With 212 votes on his photo, Leo M. is the lucky winner of our SLC Photo Contest. His prize? An iPad mini, of course! We’d like to thank everyone who participated and we can’t wait to see you all at our next photo booth event on campus!

Congrats again Leo for winning! Now he will be able to roam around the UBC campus sporting his new iPad mini – even browsing the Kijiji app on-the-go!

January in Vancouver

posted by Annie on Jan 23, 2013 Leave a comment

Here we are once again! A new year, a new term, and ample opportunity to have new and exciting experiences! Why not get out and explore this beautiful city before midterm exams and papers begin to demand your attention? We here at Kijiji have come up with a list of unmissable events coming up both in Vancouver and right here at UBC to start your term off on the right foot.

 Photo via Tourism Vancouver

• Luminescence at the Vancouver Aquarium promises to be a “shocking” good time! Venture down to the Aquarium to enjoy a unique experience of incredible aquatic light and be sure to visit the electric eel on display in the Pacific Canada Gallery!
• Why not mix up your normal routine with some performing arts? PuSh is one of Vancouver’s signature international performing arts festivals showcasing many of Canada’s most creative minds.
• Street Food City 2. What is it? Your opportunity to sample from a collection of Vancouver’s street food carts all in one location! Gather and feast on delicious food prepared by 13 Vancouver vendors!
• Arts Week 2013 is coming up at UBC! What does that mean for you? Free swag, karaoke with the dean, $5 lunches for a cause, and unforgettable parties!

Moving Tips from Kijiji

posted by Annie on Dec 05, 2012 Leave a comment

With December 1st right around the corner, you may be handing in your move-out notice in preparation of moving to a more suitable place in the new year!

Whether the reason be that your first semester roommate wasn’t quite compatible, you’ve found a better price for that Kitsilano dream condo, or you just can’t stand the thought of spending another year under your parent’s roof (or rules), we here at Kijiji understand the pain of moving and we have 6 tips to help things run smoothly! But first, check out this video we made this year for Montreal’s Moving Day to learn some good old Kijiji moving tricks!

• Make “donate,” “pitch,” and “sell” piles in each room for belongings you no longer want or need. You can even advertise your gently used items on Kijiji for some extra cash!
• Budget money for rent and a security deposit to ensure you don’t spend all of your money on holiday shopping. (We know it’s tempting!)
• Label every box during the packing process. You can even colour code the labels and create a detailed list of all the things in each box on your computer.
• Need help moving all of that stuff? Check out Kijiji’s moving/storage category to find cheap trucks to rent or other people who are willing to help someone move to make some $$.
• New place require a little more than that single bed you own? Look no further than our vibrant furniture category to find cheap (or even free!) tables, couches, beds and artwork for the new place.
• Lastly, notify correspondents of your move! Even in our busy world of emails, texts and tweets, it’s always nice to find a letter or card in our mailboxes now and then!

Holiday Gifting on a Student Budget

posted by Annie on Nov 28, 2012 Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that December is only a week away and that the holidays are right around the corner! It’s a good idea to get a head start on holiday shopping now before we get swamped with those dreaded final exams.

Here at Kijiji, we know that buying gifts for the holidays can really put a toll on that tight student budget. This is why we’ve come up with 5 easy ways to help you conquer this holiday gift season like a champ, all without breaking the bank!

Photo via BBC

• Give your friends a freshly baked batch of festive shortbread cookies, or fill up a big mug with some Hershey’s Kisses topped off with some homemade chocolate-covered pretzels.
• Create some personalized gift certificates (offer to help your roommate organize their closet, or help your brother with his resume, etc.)
• Visit websites like Onespout, which are great for finding Groupon and Livingsocial vouchers, as well as other fantastic discounted services and products. You can treat your loved one to a romantic cruise, sign your BFF up for that dance class she’s been wanting to take, or spoil your mom with a luxurious spa session!
• Don’t forget to browse sites like eBay for some great, affordable gifts. Whether it’s a chic phone case or the complete box set DVD of Harry Potter, chances are you’ll find it there. (Tip: make sure to confirm with the seller that the item will ship and arrive on time)
• Of course, make sure you check out Kijiji for concert tickets and one of a kind collectables. Heck, you may even find some brand new items for half the price!