When determining where to live in State College, on campus vs. off campus housing is often a plaguing issue for students.
Cost, distance to class locations, and amenities are all important factors when making the decision.
Typically, it is cheaper to live off campus, where the apartment size is often larger and students have their own bedrooms and sometimes bathrooms.
Daniel Sutton, a senior architecture major, has lived in dorms and in downtown housing. He currently resides in the Copper Beech townhomes behind the Best Buy on North Atherton Street. “Cost was definitely an issue,” he said. “What you get for the price [of living downtown] is small rooms and shared bathrooms. You get more for your money living off campus.”
Copper Beech townhomes consist of two or three-bedroom apartments. For a two-bedroom townhome, the price is around $574 each. Cable, high-speed internet, and a CATA bus pass are all included. The apartments also come furnished with a large-capacity washer and dryer and full-size kitchen appliances. There is also a clubhouse with an exercise facility, lounge, kitchenette and game room. Copper Beech is currently accepting applications and deposits, but the apartments are going quick and are expected to be sold out by Thanksgiving for the fall of 2010.
Another benefit of living off campus is the availability of cheap parking. “I chose to live in Nittany Crossing because I get free parking,” said Kristine Carbone, a senior animal science major. Neighboring student housing communities Nittany Crossing and The Pointe provide free parking for residents. In addition to free parking, both communities have pools, community activities, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and fitness centers.
Both communities offer two, three, or four bedroom apartments, and every choice is available for next fall.
“I love having my own room and bathroom,” said Corey Hazely, a junior engineering major and resident at The Pointe. “I lived downtown in The Diplomat last year, and I had to share a bedroom and bathroom with two other guys. This is so much nicer.”
Typically, most downtown apartments are meant for residents to share bedrooms and bathrooms. Because of their prime location near the center of campus, it’s cheaper for residents to split the rent of one bedroom.
“I don’t mind living on campus or sharing a bedroom,” said sophomore elementary education major Kim Travioli, who resides in The Meridian on College Avenue with three of her friends. “I like how everything is in walking distance. I can’t imagine having to take a bus just to get downtown every day.”
There are apartment complexes on campus where students can have their own bedroom. Campus Tower, Centre Court, and Bryce Jordan Tower all offer three or four bedroom apartments and are within walking distance to the center of campus. All three-bedroom apartments are already sold out for next year, but applications are still being accepted for the four-bedroom apartments.
The rent for a four-bedroom apartment in one of these complexes is around $3100, about $775 for each person. In comparison, the individual rent for a room in a four-bedroom apartment in Nittany Crossing is around $411.
“I hate having to take the bus to class or to a friend’s apartment,” said Kevin Lashbaugh, a junior finance major who resides at The Pointe. “Sometimes the busses are unreliable, but that’s the only downside of living off-campus for me.”
Both on-campus and off-campus locations have their benefits and downsides. Because everything tends to go fast, now is prime-time to make a decision and apply for housing for next fall wherever you decide to live.
