Should You Cancel Your Lease Back Home Before Going to Network School?

If you are paying $1,500 per month in rent (the US average for a one-bedroom), keeping your apartment empty during a 3-month NS stay costs $4,500 in dead rent. For a 6-month stay, that is $9,000. These are funds that could extend your NS experience by 3 to 6 additional months. If you are in an expensive city like San Francisco ($3,500/month), New York ($3,000/month), or London ($2,500/month), the numbers are even more dramatic. Ending your lease converts this dead expense into NS runway, savings, or investment capital. The counterargument is the cost and hassle of finding a new apartment when you return.

Keeping your apartment provides a guaranteed safety net — if NS does not work out or you need to return early, you have a home waiting. In competitive rental markets (NYC, SF, London), giving up a below-market or rent-controlled unit could cost you far more in the long run than a few months of dead rent. You also avoid the logistical nightmare of moving your belongings into storage, ending utilities, and finding a new place on return. If your lease has less than 6 months remaining and your NS stay is 3 months or less, keeping it often makes more sense than the disruption of ending it.

Subletting offers the best of both worlds if your lease allows it. You keep your apartment, someone else pays the rent, and you return to your same space. Check your lease for subletting clauses — many landlords allow it with approval. Platforms like Furnished Finder, Airbnb (in areas where it is legal), and local Facebook groups are good channels. Price your sublet at or slightly below your rent to attract reliable tenants quickly. The risks include property damage, unreliable subletters, and the administrative overhead of managing a tenant remotely. Consider using a property management service for peace of mind.

If you end your lease, you will need to store your belongings. A 5x10 storage unit costs $50 to $150 per month in most US cities. Climate-controlled units (recommended for electronics and wood furniture) cost 25 to 50 percent more. Companies like Clutter and MakeSpace offer door-to-door storage where they pick up and deliver your items. Budget $200 to $400 for movers to load items into storage. The total storage cost for 6 months is typically $500 to $1,200 — a fraction of 6 months of rent. Sell or donate items you do not need to reduce storage costs and simplify your return.