Home may not be where the heart is
Meghan Buttler
Issue date: 2/25/09 Section: Variety
It might not be showing in the weather yet, but spring is definitely coming, and that means it's crunch time for students to find housing for next year.
The big question for many students is whether to stay on campus or relocate to another part of the city. There are benefits and pitfalls of each choice.
Money is a major factor to consider, as well as one's emotional readiness for increased levels of independence.
The vast majority of freshmen live on campus, but as many students are entering their second year of college, they are beginning to consider possibilities off university grounds.
Jacob Thieschafer, a freshman, currently lives in a Griggs dorm, but he has his eye on Stadium Apartments for next year.
"There's more space and more options for food and a higher level of independence," he said, "and also, it would be embarrassing to live in the dorms as a sophomore."
While Thieschafer has definite plans to be living off campus by his junior year, it isn't currently an option, because he's not fully ready financially for a house in town. Also, he said, "there's not a lot of off-campus space available this late in the year."
JJ Peterson, a sophomore, identifies with this statement. He has been house hunting for the past few weeks, and the pickings are growing slim.
While he'd prefer it if a house he rents has big rooms, a nice kitchen and bathroom and a good location relative to campus for a good price,time is running out and he may have to sacrifice quality as more and more properties are removed from the market.
Peterson, who currently lives off-campus, said that he enjoys the increased space and privacy of a rental house as opposed to on-campus housing.
"And your roommates are people that you've chosen to live with instead of people assigned by the university," said Peterson.
When asked about the pros of on-campus dorms or apartments, where he lived last year, Peterson said, "you can walk anywhere you need to be. They've got a store right there, you can eat on campus."
The big question for many students is whether to stay on campus or relocate to another part of the city. There are benefits and pitfalls of each choice.
Money is a major factor to consider, as well as one's emotional readiness for increased levels of independence.
The vast majority of freshmen live on campus, but as many students are entering their second year of college, they are beginning to consider possibilities off university grounds.
Jacob Thieschafer, a freshman, currently lives in a Griggs dorm, but he has his eye on Stadium Apartments for next year.
"There's more space and more options for food and a higher level of independence," he said, "and also, it would be embarrassing to live in the dorms as a sophomore."
While Thieschafer has definite plans to be living off campus by his junior year, it isn't currently an option, because he's not fully ready financially for a house in town. Also, he said, "there's not a lot of off-campus space available this late in the year."
JJ Peterson, a sophomore, identifies with this statement. He has been house hunting for the past few weeks, and the pickings are growing slim.
While he'd prefer it if a house he rents has big rooms, a nice kitchen and bathroom and a good location relative to campus for a good price,time is running out and he may have to sacrifice quality as more and more properties are removed from the market.
Peterson, who currently lives off-campus, said that he enjoys the increased space and privacy of a rental house as opposed to on-campus housing.
"And your roommates are people that you've chosen to live with instead of people assigned by the university," said Peterson.
When asked about the pros of on-campus dorms or apartments, where he lived last year, Peterson said, "you can walk anywhere you need to be. They've got a store right there, you can eat on campus."
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