College housing is always a hot topic amongst students. If they live on campus, the issues of discussion usually resemble, ‘Ugh, a bunch of students broke more lights last night, and now we all have to pay.’ For those living off campus, the complaints usually sound like, ‘Our landlord hasn’t called me back for three days and our doorknob is still broken.’
Both situations indeed have their own set of problems, but they also have benefits depending on what a student needs that school year. But what this topic of college housing comes down to is that students want the cheapest housing, period. Because with either situation, unexpected costly expenses will happen. The real reason students move off campus is for a cheaper place and to be more independent.
Emma Contic / Graphics Editor
When some students start to reach the end of their sophomore year and start to feel more mature, and want to be able to shower in the morning without waiting on a bunch of underclassmen or feel like Campus Safety is watching their every move. We reach that age where we see the benefits of living on campus for a couple years, but then we realize it’s time to move on.
And we’re not too picky about where we’re living either. We’re more concerned about the unknown price tags waiting for us at school, or the daunting loans that face us after we graduate.
For example, take a male sophomore student who was placed in an Owl’s Nest for their next school year. They would probably be excited about not having to check in with a desk attendant every time they come and go, plus the larger living room space, and spacious bathroom. Their parents however would be more concerned about the leaking ceiling perhaps or the dirty floors.
If this same student decided to move off campus, he would be thrilled at having his own room, bigger than a shared dorm, along with a kitchen, back yard and maybe a small porch. When his parents go to help him move in, they might get a little ruffled at the stained carpet and leaky faucet. But the fact is that these students know they will only be living here for one year, so why worry about the little things?
The Equinox feels that if the school wants more students to move into the new residential buildings there needs to be a price change. The price of an apartment in Arcadia Hall is about $800 with all utilities included, according to an Equinox article published on October 3, 2012. This is more than the average off-campus house, which usually goes for $600 with all utilities included.
However, more students moving off campus are helping to increase the cost of living off campus. In a study conducted by KSC students featured in a housing story this week on A1, the average family rent price is $919, whereas a house filled with student renters usually goes for $2,800. Students are discovering how local landlords are making more money if they lease their housing to KSC students instead of a family.
Think about it. Your friends and yourself decide to rent a house, you all pay $600 per person, with a total $2,400 being put in your landlord’s pocket. And because you are okay with the below average living conditions, your landlord will not be worried about putting money back into the home to keep it in good condition. It’s like we’re letting them make more money.
Our advice for students is to live in the right housing that fits your financial situation, but do not hesitate to speak up if things are not working out with your landlord. Students who are having landlord issues can contact the Keene Inspections Dept. at 603-352-5440.
