The Hunt for Housing: An Apt Decision

Thanksgiving break has officially begun. The end of the semester is approaching quickly.

The hunt is on.

The hunters? Any and all students planning to return to University Park in the Fall of 2010.

The prey? Affordable, convenient and comfortable living situations.

As Penn Staters begin the hunt, the process can seem overwhelming.

Should I live on campus?

Should I live downtown or away from town?

Should I try to get an apartment or a house?

The following is the final part of a three-piece series to help student residents of State College answer some of these questions.

The Hunt for Housing: An Apt Decision

(Click here for part one of the series. Click here for part two.)

House or apartment? Both living conditions are suitable and desirable for students, but they offer two very different styles of living for Penn State students. Ultimately though, financial concerns, location, space, and utility fees become the deciding factors.

The Best Thing (house):

Ready to act like a grownup? There\’s something to be said for having a living room, a kitchen and a yard as a college student. Mom and Dad will be so proud. 

The Worst Thing (house):

Not ready to act like a grownup? Having to pay for most utilities while taking care of more rooms than you\’re used to in addition to the yard means many responsibilities. 

The Best Thing (apartment):

There\’s a good chance that most of your utilities will be included in your rent at an apartment. There\’s also a good chance that repairs will take place quickly. After all, your place is just like the 100 other ones surrounding it.

The Worst Thing (apartment):

Space. Remember the kitchen at your parents\’ house? It was likely larger than 4\’x8\’. Their house might have had a dining room too. Don\’t expect either at many State College apartments.

What you need to know:

• StateCollege.com has all the information you need for finding apartment and house rentals at https://www.statecollege.com/apartments/.
• Most rental agencies are currently accepting applications for 2010-2011. Many have sold out of certain units. Check the above link for various deadlines and more information.

What they\’re saying:

Jessica Aikey, leasing consultant for Westside Village Apartments: “Houses are generally more popular with students. Every house we have was gone on the first day of leasing, Oct. 26.”

Michael Falk, part owner of Falk Realty said, “Apartments, mainly one bedrooms and studios are our most popular with students.”

Molly Blackburn, leasing agent for Copper Beech Townhomes: “Students often prefer houses because they are more spacious and students usually get their own bedrooms.”

Doris Myers, property manager of Special Dwellings: “Quite frankly, I couldn’t say what [houses or apartments] is more popular with students, each person is an individual with individual needs and wants.” 

Senior Anton Hennessy, who lives in a house off of Atherton Street: “I chose a house so I could have my own bedroom, and more space overall. Plus, my three roommates and I all have our cars here, and parking is free at houses, whereas some apartments charge up to $80 per month. I do have to pay utilities though, and when it gets as cold as it does here, if your house is as poorly insulated as ours, the heating bills can really add up.”

Sophomore Brittany Dellatore, who lives in a house on West Nittany: “I love my house. There’s so much more room in houses than apartments, and I pay less rent then I would have if I lived in an apartment.”

Sophomore Vishal Arya, who lives in a house on Ferguson Avenue: “I chose a house over an apartment because I was too late for apartments and this was basically my only option, but it worked out really nicely. Money was a big factor. The house actually ended up being cheaper than the apartments I was looking at. I would definitely choose a house again over an apartment.”

Junior Tim Bakels, who lives in a house with seven other roommates: \”It gets really messy, there’s always lots of trash, and the cops come all the time for noise complaints that I don’t do, there’s no way I could live in a house again.”

Sophomore Amanda Hartmann, who lives in an apartment on East Beaver Avenue: “I chose an apartment because they are fully furnished. Its a lot more work getting a house because you need to bring couches, beds, desks, everything. Plus, apartments here tend to have better locations, and they usually provide utilities and maintenance.”

Sophomore Brian Goldman, who lives in an apartment on East College Avenue: “I chose an apartment because of the location. There were no available houses close to campus in downtown State College, and I didn’t have enough people to live with to get a house.”