Congratulations to medical students across the nation participating in Residency Match Day 2020! This year, the career-defining event takes place Friday, March 20 — when hopeful doctors learn which hospital and residency program they will be a part of for the next three to five years.

Receiving your match is exciting, but often times after the excitement wears off, the overwhelm sets in. On Match Day 2020, thousands of future doctors will learn which city they will be calling home for the duration of their residency. Suddenly, the pressure to find a place to live — which can sometimes be clear across the country — is on.

4 Residency Match Day Tips To Find An Apartment Near Your Hospital

In Maryland and Virginia, there are several prominent hospitals that you could potentially match with, such as Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Center, Anne Arundel Medical Center, and Virginia Hospital Center. If you’re a new resident looking for an apartment near your new hospital, there are a few things to keep in mind before you sign a lease.

1.)  Keep your commute short.

The hospital is where you will spend the majority of your time during your residency. Your inevitable long shifts are reason enough to consider the commute when deciding where to live. Whether you drive, walk, or use public transportation, determine how long it will take you to get to work before signing a lease. A lengthy commute might not sound like a huge deal now, but after pulling a double, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend more of your precious time just trying to get home.  If you plan on driving to work, make sure your future apartment community has easily accessible parking options. This will ensure that you won’t be circling a lot searching for a space when you could be relaxing in your apartment.

2.)  Live within your means.

It’s been reported that up to 75% of medical students graduate with student loan debt — and among those graduates, the average debt is $196,520. Sticking to a modest budget will help get that debt down as quickly as possible. While looking for a place to rent, ask if your potential landlord partners with your hospital to offer residents a rental discount.

Southern Management communities are proud to offer a $0 application charge and 5% discounts to new residents who are full-time employees of our University Hospital Partners. Among participating hospitals are Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Johns Hopkins, Mercy, and the University of Maryland.

Debt can also have an impact on your credit score. Read more: Can I Rent An Apartment With Bad Credit?

3.)  Consider living with roommates.

Speaking of saving on rent, one simple way to reduce your monthly expenses is to live with a roommate or two! Whether you met the love of your life in college and feel ready to move in with your significant other or you want to live with residents in your program, sharing an apartment can be an economical choice for those starting their apartment search after Match Day 2020.

No matter your personal preference, there are plenty of floorplan options available for every busy resident. Whether you’ll be sharing a cozy one-bedroom apartment near Johns Hopkins Hospital with your spouse or splitting a four-bedroom apartment with co-workers who hustle just as hard as you, you’re sure to find the perfect place to call home.

4.)  Opt for amenities that support your lifestyle.

With the high-stakes and commotion of residency programs, it’s vital that you find ways to manage stress outside of the hospital. Your apartment might be near the hospital, but that doesn’t mean you want take work stress home with you.

To maintain a healthy work-life balance (as much as that’s possible during residency), opt for a community that provides all of your must-have apartment amenities. Although a fitness center or rooftop pool might seem unimportant, these small conveniences can make all the difference when it comes to your downtime. Window coverings already installed in your unit might not seem that exciting, but when you’re working a night shift, they can be a lifesaver. If you only have a few hours to spare at home, a dishwasher will decrease the amount of time you have to spend cleaning up. Convenience features like this will save you time, which allows you more time to enjoy the things you love the most – like an evening stroll or a few minutes with your dog in the park.

The Hospital Is Your Place Of Work — Now Make Southern Management Your Home

With most residency programs beginning in late June or early July, residents are in a time crunch after Match Day 2020. At Southern Management, we offer flexible leases and furnished apartments to ensure your moving process goes smoothly as you transition to the next chapter of your life. We offer luxurious apartments near Johns Hopkins Hospital like the Standard or The Apartments at Charles Plaza. The unique apartments at Marlboro Classic and Redwood Square are just a few short blocks from the University of Maryland Medical Center. No matter where you find your self within the DMV after Match Day 2020, you can find the perfect apartment home with us.

Our team understands how demanding a profession in the medical field can be, that’s why we’re committed to ensuring our residents are completely satisfied with their new home. You work hard to take care of your patients, now let Southern Management take care of you. Explore all apartment communities to find the one closest to your hospital or get in touch with our team online today!