Phone, Internet, and cable TV are rarely included. Remember that any utilities not covered by the rent will raise your total monthly expenditure. Most apartments are rented unfurnished. They include a stove, a refrigerator, and sometimes a microwave. Keep your eyes open for yard and moving sale announcements posted in your neighborhood or listed in local newspapers' classified ad sections.
Students often sell their furniture cheaply to new students.
Furnished apartments are usually more expensive because they include a bed, a couch, a table, and chairs. Most apartments don't come with washer and dryer units. In the rare case that your apartment does not have laundry facilities, you should be able to find a local laundromat. Renter's insurance is not mandatory, but it might come in handy in case of fire, theft, or floods. If you have a pet, the lease may require a separate security deposit.