Inexpensive independence

Students looking for cheap housing that's relatively close to campus may find their answer in the University Heights. Moving out of the dorms and into the Heights, nestled adjacent to South Campus, can empower students with a need for independence and a sense of danger.

Convenience:

???With its proximity to South Campus, students in the Heights have easy access to many restaurants and services on and off of Main Street. In addition to being a jump away from a supermarket (Tops), the Dipson Amherst 3 movie theater, and the Clark Hall gym on South Campus, there are plenty of local restaurants ready to serve residents.

???"[The area has] plenty of restaurants with something for everyone," said Mary Clare Fahey, off-campus services and relations coordinator with the office of Student Life. "If you're on a tight budget, you can get the $2 breakfast special at Amy's. If you've got a little more money to spend, you can go to the Steer for supper and have a steak."

???Also, Fahey noted that students who don't have their own transportation can simply walk to the bus station at South Campus and take The Stampede to their North Campus classes.

Cost and amenities:

???Rent in the Heights can range from $160 to $750 per month according to the Off-Campus Housing Guide on Sub-Board I, Inc.'s Web site. Prices depend on the size of the house and the number of housemates sharing the space.

???Heather Futterman, a senior communication major, cited cost and the easy transportation as major factors when she decided to move into the Heights. She also felt that living near South Campus allowed her to see a different side of Buffalo.

???"I didn't want to move to Sweet Home because it was too expensive and it was still on North, so I figured it was basically the same as living in the dorms," Futterman said. "And I don't have a permit, so it's difficult for me to move very far away from the campus because I don't have a car."

???Futterman also noted that it is essential to check out a house first so that there are no real surprises about your new home.

???"I would tell [those looking to move into the Heights] to be careful and explore a lot of options and make sure that they see the houses because a lot of the times landlords here aren't very responsible and don't really take good care of the houses," Futterman said.

???For Dominic Dellaquila, a junior accounting major, cost and the ability to live on his own with just a few other housemates was very appealing and attracted him to the Heights.

???"I thought it would be a good experience to be on my own and away from the dorms," Dellaquila said. "The freedom is nice, but you have a lot to be responsible for than if you were living on campus."

Safety:

???Crime in the area is a major concern for those that live in the Heights. A string of nine violent crimes in less than a week's time in October solidified the area's reputation as being unsafe.

???It's important to remember that the area is not patrolled regularly by University Police. According to Gerald Schoenle, chief of University Police, the Buffalo Police Department has exclusive jurisdiction for investigating crimes and providing patrol in the Heights. Campus police only becomes involved when they are called by the Buffalo police.

???"We had approximately 100 calls last year of assisting Buffalo but a lot of those may not have been related to UB students," Schoenle said.

???Since the assaults last semester, Buffalo Police has taken measures to increase security for residents in the Heights. Details addressing quality of life and burglary have been instituted to reduce crime. The quality of life detail patrols four nights a week, according to Fahey.

???"We've seen a decrease in crime since [October]," Fahey said. "...They've been very successful in making arrests in regards to the muggings that happened in October and in burglaries that have happened since."

???Dellaquila has had to deal with several burglaries since moving to Heath Street in August.

???"My roommate's car was broken into and his iPod was stolen," Dellaquila said. "...You just have to remember to lock your doors."

???When it comes to safety in the Heights, Fahey advises that students must first make it a priority for themselves.

"It's really up to the students to put safety first in their minds," she said.