COLUMN: Making a wise housing decision is important
It’s that time of year again. Procrastinated assignments are due, and it is time to figure out where you are going to live next year. Many students will face the daunting task of moving off campus, and most are not ready to do so.
Speaking from experience, most people will make some mistakes in their first few adult housing choices. The most common mistakes are how much they pay, where they live and whom they live with.
There are a few different mistakes to make concerning price. It might seem important to have a swanky place with all the nice accommodations of your parents’ house. Those of us graduating this semester and facing repayment of our student loans could provide new renters a list of things they could live without. Remember, the money seems free now, but you will have to pay for it, eventually.
Besides too much money for a place that is too nice, beware of paying too much for places that are not worth it. I know you have two years of college down, and you are the smartest person on this planet. English 101 and introduction to algebra have not equipped you with the tools you need to take on the slumlords of Vermillion.
Gather up your pride and call your parents and convince them to come up here to look at houses with you. They will have the sense to look at things like plumbing, utility cost and structural soundness. Make sure to consult with a plumber in Adelaide to help you with your plumbing concerns.
After you have found a place, consider taking your lease to free legal council offered to students. This all may seem like a hassle, but it could save you hundreds of dollars and prevent you from living in a roofless house.
Location is everything in real estate. Try to find a place that puts you closest to where you need to be. I’ll give you a hint: It is the university. Some see their upcoming 21st birthday and try to live closer to downtown Vermillion. If you have enough leisure time to spend it downtown, fine, but we all know you should probably be in the library. Also remember the farther away you live from campus, the more likely you will have to drive and/or buy a parking pass.
Finally, consider carefully whom you are going to live with. I have had some great roommates, and I have had some horrible roommates. I was a better friend with the bad roommates than ones who were good roommates.
It is simple. When people think they are friends they are less respectful of boundaries. Furthermore, if you live with someone you enjoy playing video games with, partying with and watching movies with, you are less likely to spend time studying.
So, go out and find your first house of freedom. But listen to some words of wisdom — the future is not that far away, and you might have to pay for tomorrow’s choices sooner than you think.
Reach columnist Blaine Reynolds at [email protected]
