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Housing search begins
By Ashley Preste
As January comes to a close, there is one question that continues to plague college students, "Where am I going to live next year?"
Not only that, but, "How do I go about finding a place?"
As a result, property managers are coming out in full force, targeting everyone to fill their numerous vacancies.
Current residents are landlords first targets. Many even send notices out in the middle of November to try to hook people in for another year. They sometimes use special offers and bonuses.
Once winter break ends, the streets are lined with signs in front yards and on apartment buildings reading, "Now Leasing,"
"Rooms for Rent" and "Call now."
Because there are so many different options for students to choose from, finding a place can often be a daunting task.
However, there are several different strategies students can use in finding apartments and housing living situations.
Apartments
One common strategy used to find an apartment is driving up and down the streets near campus to collect numbers off of the advertisements near different complexes.
With so many apartment buildings located near to campus, this task can be accomplished in under an hour. The next step is to set up a showing.
At the end of January there are still many buildings with apartments left for students.
JK Properties has a number of openings as well as Campus Plaza, Campus Side, Campus Center, Campus Heights, Kent Housing and Campus Knoll I. All are within walking distance from the SCSU campus.
"I like the proximity to campus," said pre-medicine student Brett Frodl. "I can leave my apartment and make it to class in less than 15 minutes."
"I like to sleep in a lot," Pete Ledum, 22, said "If I didn't live within walking distance, it would be hard to make it to class."
Prices for apartments within the southside are anywhere from $400 for a one bedroom to $350 per person for a four bedroom.
Landlords are usually willing to work with students, but more often than not, they are looking for groups who can sign the lease together.
"When you come in for a showing, if you like the unit you can come down to the office and sign the lease afterwards," said a representative from Kent Housing. "You can even look at the property online before the showing."
Apartment showings for JK Properties and Kent Housing start around 10 a.m. and end around 5 p.m. unless special appointments are made.
Near-campus-living is not for everyone. Luckily, there are a variety of apartments on the bus line and within five miles from campus that are comparable in price to those located in the southside.
Northern Management has apartments located across the river and one on the bus line. The bus stops every half an hour.
The prices for one bedrooms start at $460 and four bedrooms start at $220 a person.
"Starting in September we will be providing basic cable in all of our units," said Cara Knoll, a representative from Northern Management. "All of our units also include a low security deposit and a small application fee."
For students who are looking for a more luxurious living arrangement there are options like Edgewater Estates. It is located off of Clearwater Road.
At Edgewater rent runs from $750 to $1,100 a month, and each unit includes laundry facilities and air conditioning. There is also an indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and exercise room.
"I like being away from all of the chaos of campus," said Edgewater resident Aspasia Sieber. "It is nice to not have to pay to do your laundry."
When looking for an apartment a little further away from campus, the easiest route would be to look up apartments in the area on apartmentguide.com.
Most luxury apartments are listed along with detailed information on guidelines, office hours and floor plans.
Houses
Looking for a house can be just as easy as finding an apartment. Most properties have signs posted in the front yard indicating if there are rooms available and many of the owners lease deals as well.
"We looked up different property management numbers and called different places," said Maureen Daly, third-year elementary education major. "It wasn't too hard to find one."
"We just looked at signs posted on the side of the houses as we walked around campus," said SCSU student Lindsey Tipler.
Kent Housing, as well as University Property Management and JK Properties lease houses in addition to their apartment leases. Many houses have independent landlords as well.
"I like the convenience of it," Daly said. "You get to park right outside your house and you don't have as many restrictions as in the dorms."
University Village Townhomes is another popular choice for students living off campus. Rent in the townhomes is comparable to an apartment, but with the added benefit of private entrances, three levels of living and your own laundry facilities.
"The townhomes had more space and were quieter than living in an apartment near campus," said student Ross Kolodziej. "It was nice that it was on the bus route too."
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