Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Sophie Hays United Apartments representative Marla Hoag, right, explains the details of a lease with DeWitt senior Ashley Cambell, left, and Armada senior Stacy Hare on Wednesday at a lease signing party at The Cabin Bar, 930 W. Broomfield Road. "We draw a crowd because students want to get the deals," Hoag said. [Click to enlarge]

The hunt is on and location is key.

Fall marks the time when scores of college students begin their search for the perfect apartment. Some are first-time leasees, others are apartment-seeking veterans.

Elizabeth Iaquinto said she started asking friends for recommendations last semester. The Swartz Creek junior hopes to get more independence by moving into her first apartment next fall.

"I'm way too dependent on the RAs, cafeteria … not having to buy toilet paper," she said. "I want to have that experience of living in apartments before I graduate."

Ianquinto found scheduling appointments to be the best method of searching. Online hunting can be unreliable and frustrating, she said.

She is leaning toward University Meadows.

Students consider location, laundry facilities, parking and even pets when deciding on the perfect place to make their temporary home.

"I'm dying to have a dog," Iaquinto said.

Middleville junior Danielle Breihof said she wanted more freedom.

"In dorms you had restrictions," she said. "The doors locked at certain times. I definitely did not like sharing bathrooms."

For others, apartments offer an inexpensive alternative to residence halls.

"It was cheaper and has more space," said Lia Koski, Ceresco junior.

Koski has been living in an off-campus apartment for a year.

However, living off campus does require compromises, like cooking meals, driving to class and dealing with parking.

After being robbed at gunpoint during a trip to Costa Rica, Iaquinto said safety is her No. 1 priority.

Continued...

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