WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26. 2006
APARTMENT GUIDE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3C
APARTMENT vs HOUSE The ongoing debate between space and convenience
BY ERIN CASTANEDA
www.castaneda.com KAYAN KAPLANEN.COM
ILLUSTRATION BY SETH BURY
he responsibilities that come along with living in an apartment or house can be overwhelming. However, each has it's own set of positives and negatives.
A lack of hot water for the first three weeks of their apartment lease was just the beginning of a string of unfixed maintenance problems for roommates
T. J. Williams, Hutchinson graduate and Jeff Lammert. Norman, Okla., junior.
"Our management company didn't fix a sink that was broken the whole time, we had no hot water and the temperature gradient on the oven was broken." Lammert said.
Williams and Lammert decided to find a house the next year, but they stayed with the same management company.
"Now we reserve maintenance requests for something serious we don't want to fix," Lammert said.
Their to-do list in the house has been much shorter however, with the main complaint is that they lose a lot of heat through the poorly-insulated windows.
They said, a spacious, comfortable living arrangement with a yard was worth it for them, even if their utilities were more expensive.
"The only reason we lived in the apartment was because it was cheap, but I think the student ghetto is more expensive over all." Williams said.
Moving outside of what many call the 'student ghetto'; 10th through 14th Streets from Tennessee to Missouri, and into a family neighborhood was a surprise for the two.
Even though they have more space, Williams said partying in the house was worse because of the older neighbors.
For jacob Vieis, Independence junior, his eight
months in a house brought a sense of privacy and relaxation not found in the apartment he previously occupied.
"It itels more private, I can go on the back porch and drink a beer if I want," he said. "In the apartment, your neighbors are just a wall away. You can hear their music and arguments."
With more space and privacy come extra responsibilities, however. Tenants are often responsible for mowing their own lawn and a mower doesn't come with the house. A yard is vital for some people with dogs like Viets' roommate and brother.
"It's hard to find a place that allows pets, and you have to pay a pet deposit. It's a hassle." Viets said.
A house gives tenants more liberties in decorating. Melissa Hughes, Wichita junior, and her two roommates painted every room a different color from light orange to burgundy. Hughes found that it was easier to work with a private owner than dealing with a big company. But she said she appreciated the cheaper utilities and prompt response to maintenance requests in her apartment complex.
Ana Lisa Swinehart, Overland Park sophomore, said an apartment was a good transition after living in the residence halls.
"Apartments are small so there isn't much to clean up and utilities are cheap. I think it help teach responsibility before living in a house."
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