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KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010 / APARTMENT GUIDE
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Living on your own can be overwhelming
BY BRENDAN ALLEN ballen@kansan.com
As every semester begins, many students find themselves weighing their housing options, in the search for the perfect mix of entertainment, responsibility, privacy and comfort. For some, the draw of a social, carefree lifestyle may pull them toward a residence hall community on Daisy Hill. However, those who desire a little more privacy than sharing a nine floor building with hundreds of their "closest friends" often look to the large selection of alternative housing in Lawrence, such as apartments or private houses.
Jennifer Brown, a sophomore from Chicago, found herself making exactly such a decision last semester. After spending her freshman year living in McCollum residence hall, Brown opted this year to share a house with several friends instead.
"Having privacy, getting to shower without flip-flows, having your own room — it's a less restricted lifestyle." Brown said. "Living with 900 people was really overwhelming."
This year, Brown lives with only five roommates. However, the dramatic shift in numbers isn't the only thing that has changed.
Brown finds that tension still arises when living in such a close-knit group.
"There's a lot more conflict between roommates," Brown said. "You learn a lot more about sharing."
After moving into a house, Brown discovered that she not only has to share living space, but a new set of responsibilities as well.
"You detinitely grow up, that's for sure," Brown said.
But while Brown and her housemates find new challenges in their independent lifestyle, Jessica Raab, a graduate student from Los Angeles, is no stranger to the ways of independent housing.
"After I graduated, I lived on my own for a couple of years, then went back to graduate school," Raab said. "This is my second year in an apartment here."
said. "Even when you shut the door you can hear people outside."
"Essentially when you're living in a residence hall you're never really alone."
JESSICA RAAB Los Angeles graduate student
Currently, Raab lives at the NorthWinds residential community. Located at 1311 George Ct., the complex is a short commute to the University of Kansas. Raab admits that sometimes the distance proves to be inconvenient.
Raab lived in residence halls as an undergraduate, but she often found the conditions to be less than desirable.
"Essentially when you're living in a residence hall you're never really alone." Raab
"It's not like living in a dorm where you can just walk outside," Raab said. "There's a few more steps involved in getting to class."
Now that she's a renting veteran, Raab provides her share of advice for those students looking to take their first steps in renting a house or apartment.
"Thoroughly read your lease before you sign anything." Raab said. "Make sure there's no hidden fees or charges that your landlord will attempt to impose on you. Your apartment managing company shouldn't force you to sign anything without reading it first. If they're doing that, you might question whether you want to rent from them."
Connie Gore, manager for Malls Olde
English Village Apartments, 2411 Louisiana St., offered even more tips for renting newbies.
"You need to be prepared to fill out an application and have all your personal information," Gore said. "Most places, in my experience, also require co-signers for students."
Gore feels that before students take the first step toward renting a home, they should spend a little time thinking about if they can afford the rent and utilities that are included.
"Think about all of the amenities," Gore said. "In the end, tenants end up paying for them in the final cost."
Gore also noted that students should prepare to budget more.
"They do have utilities to pay, food to buy." Gore said. "We don't provide any meals."
It is time once again to consider housing options. If you're tired of University housing, perhaps it's time to turn an apartment into a home.
Edited by Kelly Gibson
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