In a wood paneled study lounge in the basement of Bryan Hall five sophomores sit around a couple of random desks pushed together. A few books lay scattered about and a motley assortment of coffee mugs leave rings on the table; clearly this is their study cave. With exams and homework piling up, housing plans are the last thing on their minds during the eighth week of winter quarter.The friends met during their freshman year and decided to look for a house together fall quarter. “We just went around to all the real estate agents and demanded sufficient board for 5 people.” Spencer McNeil (pictured here "studying" in his dorm room) said of their search. They ended up at Athens Real Estate (the coffee shop and nice art in the office was a big hit with the whole group) and found a house big enough for all five: a house with a three bedroom apartment on the first floor with two single bedroom apartments on the second. Three boys would live downstairs and Spencer and Alex would live in the apartments. However, like most groups of friends looking to live together, the plans fell through. Alex and Spencer are still looking for places to live.
“I just don’t want to have to deal with whole looking for a house thing”said Alex, who is considering living in the dorms next year. It’s simply the most convenient option. By choosing to live in the dorms, the struggle to find a place to live is bypassed and bills are included; no worrying about gas, electric and cable.
On the other hand, Spencer says he can’t stand to live in the dorms next year but he hasn't really started to look for an alternative place to live yet. Going outside to smoke, living in a supervised setting (resident advisors), communal bathrooms and getting mail from the office in his dorm are all things he won’t miss next year. If he finds another place to stay, that is.
I signed for my senior year apartment, when I was a sophomore! It seems crazy to think that I signed that early and in all reality it was definitely NOT the best decision I ever made. I didn't weight my options at all. Next year, I am living in a very overpriced 4 bedroom and 4 bathroom apartment. I guess that's what I get for signing so young!
ReplyDeleteI went through Klein Penny Rentals (www.kleinpennyrentals.com). The web site is very informative and helpful at least!
I have lived in the dorms on east green all four years and wouldn't change a thing! There is no hassle and my loans pay for all my living expenses. I've been so busy the last two years I'm hardly ever crammed into my single except to sleep or lounge around.
ReplyDeleteThere are drawbacks like having an RA, little space, communal restrooms and noise, but I have found a way to bypass most of that. I haven't even met my RA this year, I'm magically never in town whenever we have in hall meetings and its not like I don't know the dorm-life process anyway. I'm so busy that when I sleep, I sleep, so noise doesn't bother me anymore. The restrooms always are unpleasant, though. It's difficult to socialize with the underclassman but I usually just trek to a friends apartment or hang out uptown anyway.
I would suggest having a roommate, however. The single was so appealing and while I enjoy it often I do miss the company.
All in all, its well-worth the hassle.
Oh how this takes me to living in the dorm! I would consider talking to students living in Bromley though. I know from my experience, I never lived in the "typical dorm". I loved in the Convo and the Bromley and I think it would be interesting to see the difference of how people feel. I know that I hated the dorms, but briefly contemplated living in Bromley again because you only share your bathroom with two or three other people and so on. I think it ciould be an interesting comparison, or even if you could see how many people renewed their rooms in Bromley than other dorms.
ReplyDeleteI definitely will have to talk to people who live in Bromley. Even though my blog is about getting out of the dorms (so far) it's important to look at the other side of things. For many, living in the dorms is a viable option. So called "upper classmen" dorms like Bromley are definitely worth looking at. Thanks for the suggestion!
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