Hartz: Choice of housing is important

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

As a creative writing major, I already know I’m going to end up living in a box.

But until then, housing is important.

nutgraf

Another positive feature of student housing is most of the maintenance and cleaning is done for you and in a timely manner.

Many of the hottest properties in Lawrence are available to rent in August, and student-housing contracts are due soon.

To live on campus or to live off campus? That is the question.

I’ve moved every year I’ve been in college. I started in McCollum, moved to a scholarship hall (holla to all the lovely ladies of Sellards), and have survived a semester off campus.

I don’t regret living in those places (well, I did hate McCollum at first, but mostly because of living on the eighth floor and having all the fifth floor people hog the elevators). All three of them had their pros and cons.

Student housing is not necessarily cheaper than off campus housing. What I used to pay to live in Sellards for nine months lasts me for 12 months off campus, and that includes rent, utilities and Internet (although it’s much better to be a victim of ResNet than Sunflower Broadband. Mott:. Customer satisfaction NOT included). Also, buying your own groceries is cheaper than a meal plan.

Plus, you know where your food comes from (probably China).

Cost is up to you. You can live in places cheaper than the dorms (Meadowbrook Apartments) or places more expensive (the Trump Tower). Besides price, you need to decide what you want most. On campus, you are much closer to campus resources like the libraries, the Rec center and the student unions.

In addition, you can walk to class. There’s no long commute or dealing with the Parking Department (which, if you’ve read my past articles, you know I have about as much respect for them as I do the devil, only I’m probably more likely to sell my soul to the devil because he can personally guarantee me a parking spot…in hell).

However, some apartments are close enough to walk to campus or are on the bus route.

Another positive feature of student housing is most of the maintenance and cleaning is done for you and in a timely manner. Depending on the management, getting anything fixed can take as long as it takes to graduate. If you get a newer place, maintenance is usually not a problem.

I personally prefer off campus housing. Minus the commute and competitive parking, I enjoy going to a place every night that’s not on campus. It’s nice to take a break from the academic world. I have my own room, and it is much quieter and less distracting.

I don’t feel like I’m at a long summer camp. I have a home to go to and call mine.

I like having more space and having the freedom to do what I want with it.

If I’m up late in my room, I don’t wake up anybody but myself and the voices in my head. I can also clean whenever I want. In the scholarship halls, it was stressful cleaning up after 50 people and trying to fit my shifts around work and classes.

Having to share my bathroom with one person is better than 20. And there’s always hot water.

Regardless of where you live, you have plenty of options. Keep looking until you find what you want.

Excuse me. I’ve got to claim the empty refrigerator box that music major is eyeing.

Hartz is a Stilwell junior in creative writing.

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