Picking housing that works for you
Apartments vs. dorm living vs. renting a home – students compare the pros and cons of different living arrangements
By Katrina Garcia
The Collegian
For many college students, moving out is like the final step towards independence. But deciding who to live with and where to move, be it to an apartment near campus or into that suite-style dorm you’ve been eyeing since you moved into a single, two-person room in Baker Hall, can determine what that last step will be like.
Making the choice to live in the dorms, an apartment or house near campus with friends or in a fraternity house can be tough, but with enough research can lead to memorable experiences.
Mike Peyton, a senior business marketing major, has been living in an apartment near the Fresno State campus for about two years. Peyton enjoys the company of his two roommates, most of the time.
“You have to accommodate your time schedule with two other people,” Peyton said of the difficulties of living with more than one roommate. “You have to be courteous. I definitely recommend getting a roommate who works often.”
Peyton added that it takes more than friendship to make a living situation work. Other factors, such as being financially responsible and taking out the trash are ideal traits to keep in mind when choosing a roommate.
“It’s okay to live with friends, but not just because they’re friends,” Peyton said.
James Lundberg, a fourth-year criminology major, learned how relationships change when he moved into the Theta Chi fraternity house four semesters ago.
“You see every part of their life and how they live, but sometimes it’s a good thing,” Lundberg said of living with his fraternity brothers.
Even though Lundbergknew who his roommates were before moving in, he deals with the stigma of living in a “frat,” an unfavorable term that he and his brothers say carries a negative connotation.
“The ladies are turned off by the idea of a guy living in a fraternity house,” Lundberg said, as another member who was cleaning off a fan’s blades poured dust all over the floor.
Lundberg added that brothers are encouraged to do their assigned chores because a clean, presentable house can be inviting to potential pledges. “What you put into the house is what you get out of it,” Lundberg said.
Seniors Chelsea Grishan, Amanda Styskal and Robyn Keune become housemates came after living together in the dorms. All three students recommend dorm life to anyone who’s new to Fresno State because of the opportunity to meet new people.
“It’s a really great experience to live there,” Styskal said. “But one year’s enough.” Styskal, an equine science major, added that dining hall food doesn’t live up to mom’s home-cooked meals.
The three girls haven’t always lived together. Both Styskal and Keune lived in different apartment complexes for a time. Styskal said living in an apartment near campus was “one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had,” citing bad neighbors and having to hear loud music almost nightly until 3 a.m. as reasons for moving back to their old house.
While doing yard work and spending more money on decorating the house can be time-consuming and costly, they all agree that after dorm life and apartment agony, life is good at their house.
A house, Keune said, that feels like home.
“It’s more of a home now,” Keune said. “You don’t get that in an apartment or in the dorms.”
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