Students who would rather live off-campus can consider life in the lively Elmwood Avenue area with its generous supply of restaurants, bars, shops and culture. The area that many consider the heart of Buffalo often attracts students willing to sacrifice the all-inclusive on-campus lifestyle for the abundance of choices and entertainment that gives dwellers the small, quaint feel of the city.
Taking a stroll down Elmwood Avenue can stimulate the senses without stressing the brain, providing a feeling many on-campus options do not offer.
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Convenience:
???The huge variety of shops, grocery stores and restaurants allow dwellers to easily take a short walk to get whatever they need in less than the distance it takes to get to the Student Union from Ellicott. And a night out on the town is as easy as a short walk to any bar or club on Elmwood Avenue, without the worry of finding a designated driver.
???The distance involved is the primary deterrent regarding UB students' choice of living, making owning a car a priority if one plans to be traveling back and forth from North Campus often. Mary Clare Fahey, off-campus services and relations coordinator of Student Life, warns of the inconvenience of using public transportation.
???"If you don't have a car, it's not an easy place to get to UB from," Fahey said. "You can take the bus to Kenmore [Avenue], but that can take some time."
???Traffic can be a problem at times during the business day, especially at rush hour, so driving to campus may involve extra time.
"The commute is kind of crappy, but I have my classes on South [Campus] so it's not too bad," said Molly Stamp, a senior speech and hearing science major. "I can get to North Campus in about 20 minutes."
Price:
???Many of the amenities provided by on-campus housing including heat, water and electric are not included and should be factored in when pricing your apartment. Internet and cable services need to be ordered. Along with utilities, other factors such as possible parking costs and waste management should be considered, according to Fahey.
???"The thing students should ask themselves is what is the total cost?" Fahey said. "The price can be anywhere between $400 and $800 depending on how many rooms and how large the apartment is."
???Including expenses and utilities the price can easily rise, but compared to student housing, the price is competitive, according to Stamp.
???"What I found is that the rent has always been cheaper compared to living in Sweet Home or Hadley [Village]," Stamp said. "For what we pay it is worth it."
Safety:
???Students should be aware of how secure their apartment is by making sure their apartment complies with safety and fire standards. Checking the window and door locks and making sure there are functioning smoke detectors are.
???"You have to have street smarts because you just never know in the city," Stamp said. "The same goes for living in the Heights, you just have to have your wits about you... I've never felt unsafe [on Elmwood]."
