Apartment applications are due in one week, and many students are now facing one of the biggest questions of the spring semester: where to live next year?
When it comes to deciding where to lay their heads, many students weigh the obvious pros and cons of each available living situation and come up with a draw.
Bobby Bedi, a senior anthropology major who lived in the dorms and worked as a resident advisor before living in an apartment in Flint Village, said the apartments are better than the dorms, but they're not perfect.
"The walls are too thin," he said. "You can hear everything upstairs and downstairs."
Additionally, Bedi said the strict on-campus housing rules can be frustrating.
"You're living under the same rules as the dorms but you're in an apartment," he said. Such things as lighting candles, smoking, and having parties of more than twenty people are prohibited in on-campus housing.
Bedi said he would rather live off campus, but living on campus makes it easier for him to become involved in campus events.
Tom Tiberi, senior associate director for University Apartments said because there are 7,400 students currently living on campus and 2,200 of them in the apartments, on-campus housing is in high demand.
For the past several years, there have been waiting lists for vacancies.
"It was easier for me to get an apartment because I'm a senior, but my friends that were going to be juniors had to wait about a month before they found out they got the apartment," said Cheryl Thomas, a senior history and psychology major who lives in South Lake Village.
While thousands of students will sign new leases or renew old leases for on-campus housing, there are some students who have found living off campus more convenient.
Tiffany Landon, a senior theatre major, is living in the University Heights area for her third year in a row.
Currently residing on Winspear Avenue, after spending time in a house near Hertel Avenue and a house on Lisbon Avenue, Landon said she is happy with her location, and the freedom living off campus gives her.
"On-campus dorms and apartments were expensive, and I didn't like having people tell me how to live," said Landon. "You can get in so much trouble in the dorms, it's ridiculous."
Because pets are prohibited on campus, Landon said she finds that living with her kitten off-campus more suits her preferences.
Landon said she currently pays between $300 and $400 per month for her 2-bedroom upper level apartment, in comparison to on campus apartments, which range from $500 to $875 a month.
"Rooms are typically bigger and it's cheaper overall, and it's closer to everything. It's easier to walk down the street than it would be to get in my car and drive," she said.
But according to Tiberi, living on campus is an attractive package deal. He believes the all-inclusive $2,100 per semester for dorms, and $500 per month for apartments, are well worth the price tag.
"We believe it's the best overall value," he said. "I would say the biggest conveniences are that there are no extra charges, the proximity to campus, and the connections you have to the students and the University."
Tiberi also mentioned campus shuttles and 24-hour monitoring by the University Police as added bonuses to living on-campus.
For some who prefer to stay on campus, the apartments are a more attractive prospect than the dorms.
"Since I've been in the apartment, I don't think I can move back to the dorms. I like having my own room and the living room area because I can have friends over," said Kristen Howard, a junior biology major.
A new housing option will be available for those considering housing options in the fall. The University Village at Sweethome, a brand new housing complex scheduled to open by this August, will accommodate 828 students.
Four, two, and one-bedroom suites will be available for comparable prices to on-campus apartments.
"The main attraction is the private bed and bath areas," said Meredith Thompson, leasing manager for University Village. "Our company provides very student-oriented housing and common areas which are modeled for student life."
The Sweethome apartments will provide students with a shuttle to campus. According to Thompson, this will give students a living experience similar to being on-campus with a feeling of being away.
Other features that might have students flocking to Sweethome include free tanning beds, saunas, a pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
The Sweethome Village offers individual leases and a roommate matching program. Those interested should apply for their apartment online or in Suite 205 of the Commons as soon as possible.
Much like most other things in life, finding suitable housing boils down to two major issues.
"Where you choose to live definitely has to do with personal taste and what you are able to afford," said Eden Fesehaye, a junior art history major.
