It’s moving season again and a common question students ponder is whether to rent a house or an apartment. Both have their pros and cons and the choice depends on what characteristics are most important to an individual student.
“It’s hard to compare houses and apartments because it’s a different situation with every property management company,” said Emily Peterson of Stewardship Properties.
The main difference between many companies is their lease lengths. All of Stewardship’s apartments have nine-month leases, while its houses are leased for periods of a year, beginning in September.
Shorter leases tend to be better for college students, depending on whether they plan on living in Eugene during the summer.
Some apartments come with utilities paid, and that’s important for college students on a tight budget, Peterson said.
“It is a benefit because heat can get expensive in the winter,” Peterson said.Houses, which often have yards, less often have utilities included. Although yard space is a benefit on a warm day, sometimes the tenant has to deal with maintenance upkeep and yard work.
Another downfall of renting a house is needing more roommates to make up the high rent prices that come along with more rooms. For social individuals, this can be a blessing, but drama can also arise with many people living in close quarters.
Despite some negative aspects of renting a house, many students prefer it to renting an apartment.
Not having a garage, or having to pay extra for it, can be a pain when living in an apartment. If garages are not available, most apartment complexes only allow one parking spot, which is not accommodating for multiple roommates who drive. This is not a problem at a house, where there are generally more parking areas.
Houses are also beneficial for students who tend to make noise, such as people who play musical instruments or who like to stay up late. A big frustration at apartments is dealing with noise made by other tenants, and renting a house can give someone extra privacy and quiet.
University undergraduate Megan Grimland also prefers houses over apartments, mostly because she doesn’t have to worry about people living above or below her.
Grimland said apartments are a good transition from the residence halls because there is more space and a kitchen.
“Apartments can be a safer living environment because there are people all around you,” she said.
Another living possibility is a townhouse, which is somewhat like a mix between a house and an apartment. For those who like having people around but do not enjoy a large complex with lots of noise, townhouses can be the perfect option.
Students should be sure to contact companies sooner rather than later because this time of year is the busiest for them and will only get busier in the upcoming months.
The easiest way to get information about property management companies is by going online. Many companies have Web sites that provide their phone numbers and information about available properties.
House or apartment?
May 25, 2006