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St. Cloud State University
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St. Cloud Cost of living standard unusually low
By Nick Hanson
Published:
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Long ago, college students chuckled when parents told them to enjoy living with them while they could. Most were thinking, "I can't wait until the day I graduate and move out of this dump."
Well, that day has come and past, and now students face a reality check. That is: it was nice having someone fold the clothes, make dinner and, most importantly, pay the bills.
Fortunately, St. Cloud standard for living is a little cheaper than the national average. According to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, St. Cloud living is a little below average. The study was done nationwide comparing 314 urban areas across the U.S.
Still, college expenses can be steep, especially when it comes to housing. Students face several options when selecting a place to call their own.
Many first year students, and a handful of returning students, make the choice to live on campus. In total, approximately 3,000 students live on campus.
Residential living is relatively cheap compared to off campus living, said Director of Residential Life, Diane Schellinger,
"Living on campus in our university is more economical than others, we try to keep the costs lower," she said. "There are no extra charges, everything is included on one bill."
Although campus life is close and convenient, a lot of students move off campus their second year in search of a house or apartment.
"We do believe that it costs less, but it all truly depends," she said. "Sometimes students would like to have more space."
Freshman student, Jared Lazer, is heading off campus to an apartment next year.
"One thing I don't like about living in the dorms is sleeping two feet from someone each night, it's like living in a shoebox," he said.
As for moving off campus, Lazer said he is excited. "The best part is privacy, having my own room and no R.A.'s," he said.
Set rates for apartments that are close to campus range from $260-$300 per month. However, most require an additional bill for cable/internet and electricity/heat. In the end, most students will end up paying a little over $300 per month. There is also the additional cost of food.
After two years in the dorms, junior Avanntha Tissera moved into Collegeview apartment complex.
"Dorm life is pretty good, it's just sometimes there is too many friends and too much involvement," he said.
He said he enjoys the overall freedom and peacefulness of living off campus. Cost wise, Tissera said apartment life is about equivalent to the dorms. He also enjoys making his own food.
Aside from apartments, there are quite a few houses available for rent near and around campus.
Owner/Manager of McDonald Property, Dan Dorgert, rents out housing across and near to campus.
"There is more square footage, and you can control the atmosphere," he said.
However, a house requires a good deal of maintenance and maturity," he said. "Respectful, responsible and mature, if you're not that, then you can't handle a house," he said.
Overall, take better care of houses, Dorgert said.
"Generally speaking, the females do a little better job," he said.
Houses can toll up a lengthy bill from added expenses because, in most cases, the monthly cost for housing only includes rent. Heat, electric, sewer, water, trash, cable and Internet are often added expenses. In total, rent can add up to over $400 a month.
After one year in a house, most people tend to move back into an apartment situation, said Manager of University Village Townhomes Andy Anderson.
"Heating cost is a factor, the heating cost is really high," he said. "They are older houses and they need more maintenance, too."
Similar to apartments, townhouses are also available for rent.
The townhouses have a unique layout and quiet atmosphere said Anderson.
"The general layout is a plus, there are three floors," he said. "The bigness of the bedrooms is an advantage."
However, the townhomes are located across the river and transportation is a must to get to campus. "The distance can either be a plus or a minus," Anderson said.
The cost, similar to an apartment, runs at $275 per month excluding cable/internet.
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