“Where am I going to live next year?”
This is a question that many students are trying to figure out this time of year. If you are graduating, then your primary concern becomes getting a job or getting into grad school.
For those students left with another year of midterms, relationship problems and internship searches, however, the issue of finding a place to live soon becomes an unwanted burden. Hopefully, with a little preparation, you will be a little more on track to finding that ‘home, sweet home!’
While University Housing states the majority of incoming freshmen choose to live in the residence halls their first year, students often disregard the option their second year. Senior business major Matthew Kernan explains he didn’t mind living in the residence halls for a second year.
“I liked the dorms,” he said. “I am happy to live on my own now, but I met a lot of great people and had a good time.”
For those students who choose to move out of the dorms though, this is the first time they will get a chance to live on their own, so finding a house or an apartment seems like the logical first step toward adulthood.
With apartments ranging from as low as $200 a month to as high as $600 a month, factors such as location, number of rooms and accessories all contribute to the total price. For example, a one bedroom apartment in the Hilyard House may cost you around $600 per month, but you will receive benefits such as secured parking, a washer/dryer, free Internet access and a weight facility.
Other locations, such as the University Commons, offer furnished and unfurnished bedrooms. Generally, the closer you are to campus and the newer the apartment/house, the more likely you will be paying a higher price. It is also important to look into the leasing terms. Many apartments are on a one-year lease, which means you will be paying past the end of school. Month-to-month or nine-month leases are also available.
If an apartment is too cramped, you may want to find a house to rent.
“A house is more private and separated and it feels like it’s yours,” said senior education major Rachael Dollinger.”I have a lot of
space that I can call my own.”
Renting a house usually ranges anywhere from $200 to $450, depending on where it is and how many people you are sharing the rent with. If you are interested in living with a lot of close friends, another option may be to live in a fraternity or sorority house.
Fifteen fraternity chapters and 10 sorority chapters have houses, so there are many choices. Each house has its own uniqueness, and all of them are very comparable to the residence halls in price and level of convenience.
Many times, students are so excited to move out of their family home and out of the residence halls that they forget living on your own can be very expensive. Aside from the rent, you must pay for utilities, laundry, and food, according to ASUO Housing Advocate Matthew Lieuallen.
Lieuallen says that where you should live depends on what environment you are looking for. However, he warns students that if they are going to live off-campus in an apartment, quad or house, they should look early. He adds that it’s important to make sure students have roommates they can live with who are responsible and will pay the bills on time.
“It can really put a strain on your friendship if you keep receiving ‘past due’ notices,” he said.