2015 Apartment Guide by The DePaulia

2015 APARTMENT GUIDE

ON THE

MOVE

CAROLYN DUFF | THE DEPAULIA

2 | Apartment Guide. May 18, 2015.

MOVING CHECKLIST TWO MONTHS OUT Decide if you’re moving or renewing your lease Finalize budgets/roommates/cosigners

What’s Inside

WHAT’S GOOD IN THE ‘HOODS

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE (IKEA) BOX

DIY ON A DIME

WHAT KIND OF ROOMMATE ARE YOU?

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Use this handy guide to help you figure out which neighborhood is the right fit for you.

Decide if you’re using a Realtor/apartment service or looking on your own (PadMapper, Craigslist)

ONCE YOU HAVE AN APARTMENT Reserve movers or UHall truck File for change of address through USPS Schedule to transfer gas, electricity and cable/ internet accounts Start packing nonessentials

TWO WEEKS OUT Get boxes and packing materials

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There’s more to life than cheap swedish furniture. Learn about other wallet-friendly methods of furniture acquisition.

Everyone loves a crafting session. Sometimes a good craft job is all a hum-drum apartment needs.

WEEK OF MOVING Get keys Schedule final walkthrough in old apartment Bribe friends with pizza and beer to help move Deep clean apartment

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Having roommate issues? Maybe you’re the problem. Find out with this quiz.

Apartment Guide. May 18, 2015. | 3

Dealing with bad landlords By Zoe Krey Opinions Editor

For many college students, transitioning from the rules of resident advisors to the legal obligations present in contracts with landlords can be challenging. Suddenly, warnings and informal roommate counsel turn into damage fees, late fees and the struggle to get landlords to respond to repair requests. Navigating legal contracts can turn out to be a nightmare in itself, and coupled with an unresponsive landlord, the apartment experience can turn out to be the ultimate horror story. For first-time renters, it is important to conduct preliminary research on your soon-to-be landlord before you sign any kind of binding agreement. This can be done through a simple Google search or even asking the current tenants about their relationship with the landlord. Finding out as much as possible about your potential landlord can only work to your benefit, and can even save you trouble by discouraging you from signing a lease. Landlords are “obligated to repair anything deemed ‘essential’ to the health and safety of his tenants,” according to the Money Times. “This includes dealing with heating, water and electrical issues; remediation of mold or fungus; battling bug infestations; and keeping the roof in working order.” Ultimately, My Property Guide, a local resource for people buying, selling, renting or letting property, advises tenants to keep in mind that the “landlord’s obligations do not arise until he (or she) has been made aware of the defect.” Furthermore, the landlord “is then allowed a reasonable time to carry out the

SUSAN JOUFLAS | MCT CAMPUS

repairs. This will be judged according to the type and extent of the disrepair.” It is important to document everything when it comes to making contact with a landlord. From keeping copies of e-mails and text messages, to repair requests and even including photos of damages with date stamps, the more documentation, the better. Should your landlord ignore your requests, especially in situations that concern you and your roommates’ health

and safety, Money Times reports you have the right to alert “state or local health and building inspectors, sue your landlord in small claims court” or break your lease — a situation where it is advised to contact an attorney first. Professional letting agencies that work with multiple apartment locations tend to have a better reputation for responsibility and maintenance of property. These agencies normally have repairmen ready to fix repairs and essential damage once

a work order is put into place. While sometimes this can mean more expensive properties, the benefits for some are worth it. In late January, Chicago’s Building Department compiled a problem landlords list on its website “in an attempt to crack down and publicly shame apartment building owners into providing tenants with basic services such as heat, hot water and working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” according to the Chicago Tribune. These landlords are the worst of the worst in the city, many of whom “have been found to be liable in two or more administrative hearings within a twoyear period and have at least three serious building code violations.” The Chicago Tribune reported that most of the apartment buildings cited are on Chicago’s West and South sides. If searching for an apartment in these areas, this list might be helpful to consult. Although bad landlords are certainly problematic, and in some instances, dangerous, it is important to effectively communicate with landlords, and document all communication no matter what the circumstance is. Some landlords see the potential of taking advantage of students who might be renting for the first time. Because of this, always be aware of your rights as a tenant and read your lease carefully before signing, keeping an eye out for hidden clauses or anything concerning work orders and repairs. If stuck with a bad landlord, consult parents and in extreme situations, legal counsel, to figure out what can be done next within the parameters of your lease and the law.

Fight for your rights as renters By Kevin Gross Nation & World Editor

Moving out can be an exciting time for DePaul’s dorm-residing population. For many, it marks the last time residing within a supervised environment, as the future may hold the notion of living independently off-campus for the first time. However, the truth of the matter is that independent living can bring its own set of challenges. Those residing off-campus must be aware of how people within the housing markets can take advantage of them. “Knowledge of one’s rights is often the best initial line of defense against violation of one’s (renter’s) rights,” Julie Lawton, a DePaul law professor, said. Rental homes come in all shapes, sizes and states of disrepair. Same goes with landlords, some of whom may operate in an unscrupulous manner. “If students research prospective landlords and try to only rent from those with positive reviews, that can help avoid challenges down the road,” Lawton said. The possibility of such challenges, however, can never be ruled out. Should a landlord violation occur, students should always first notify their landlord via a written note about the problem. Oftentimes, notice of violation and knowledge that legal action is possible is enough to make landlords cave in. If that does not work, tenants can put forth their violation legally. Building code violations — such as disrepair, or discontinuation of utilities — should be addressed through proper city authorities pertaining to housing quality or safety. Violations of leases, which often pertain to financial violations, can be brought up in small claims “pro-se” courts, where tenants represent their own case. Lawton also points out that “there are a number of hotlines that students can call (for) a quick answer to whether their concern is legally defensible.” Most importantly, The Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) delineates the rights that most renters are entitled to within the city, of which all renters should remain aware.

Freedom from unreasonable landlord access

interest on their security deposit. Furthermore, a landlord can only deduct portions of the security deposit needed to cover unpaid rent or maintenance damage caused by the tenant, who must receive a written list of reasons that deposits were deducted. Security deposits also have to be returned within 45 days of the end of a rental.

Reasonable maintenance of the home

Avoidance of home lockout

Landlords are not allowed to enter your home unless they have given you notice two days in advance, and in most cases must do so between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The only exception to consensual access involves cases of emergency or certain repair situations that require unexpected access to the renter’s unit.

Landlords are required to keep a housing unit in agreeance with safety laws, which can be violated through conditions such as flooding, rats and pests, faulty electrical circuitry, fire damage or poorly maintained locks. If a tenant notifies a landlord of a maintenance violation that is not rectified within 14 days, the renter has the option to fix the problem themselves and deduct the repair cost from rent, have the rent cost deducted to reflect poor housing value and quality or, in some cases, terminate the lease. Such penalties against the landlord are not allowed, however, if the maintenance damage is blatantly caused by the tenant.

Avoidance of security deposit abuse

If a tenant rents a home for more than 12 months, they are entitled to receive

If a landlord physically locks out a tenant or intentionally cuts off utilities such as heat or water, the tenant is allowed to bring police action against the landlord. Additionally, landlords can be fined $200$500 each day that this continues.

Fair sublease policies

Landlords must give a tenant the ability to sublease a unit without additional charge or penalty. Furthermore, if a tenant leaves their unit without finding a subleaser, the landlord must attempt to sublease the unit for them, with the tenant only paying the difference between the new renter’s rate and his or her own. For instance, if a leaving tenant paid $600 per month and left the house, with the landlord only being able to find a new renter willing to pay $400 per month, the first tenant will pay $200 per month for the remainder of their rental.

4 | Apartment Guide. May 18, 2015.

WEST UKRAINIAN VILLAGE

With plenty of grocery stores and cultural institutions, Ukrainian Village is a great neighborhood to live in. A large influx of Ukrainian immigrants moved to the area throughout World War I, shaping the neighborhood’s history and culture, which still remains intact to this day. The Ukrainian National Museum and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art both reflect the proud Ukrainian heritage of the residents. The neighborhood is filled with restaurants representing numerous cultures, including Old Lviv which serves a Ukrainian buffet and Japanese food at Kai Zan.

40 minutes to LINCOLN PARK

35 minutes to THE LOOP

$1,400 median rent for 1 br

BRIDGEPORT

$736 $939

median rent for 2 br

Although widely gentrified, stretches of the neighborhood located around Logan Boulevard, or between California and Sacramento Avenues function as a communal focal point highlighting the diversity of local activity. Live-music drinking spots, the iconic Logan Movie Theater, and restaurants highlighting both traditional Latino cuisines and eclectic modern tastes can all be found along this corridor. West of Kedzie Avenue, the neighborhood is generally considered to be less gentrified, with local businesses reflecting this (still interesting) reality.

WICKER PARK

median rent for 1 br

$1,840 median rent for 2 br

Home to five of Chicago’s mayors, including two of the Daleys, Bridgeport has always had 50 minutes 30 minutes a presence in the city’s political scene. This to LINCOLN to THE LOOP neighborhood may be a bit of an unconventional choice for a DePaul student, but with PARK its proximity to the Stevenson Expressway, I-90 and I-94 Bridgeport is a convenient location for those who frequently commute median rent for 1 br to the suburbs. Bridgeport also is home to a burgeoning art scene, with venues like the Co-Prosperity Sphere and the Bridgeport Art Center, any creative type would be right at median rent for 2 br home in this neighborhood.

$770 $990

CHINATOWN / ARMOUR SQUARE

LOGAN SQUARE

$1,350

SOUTH

median rent for 2 br

Humboldt Park has been the home of a large Puerto Rican community since the 35 minutes 35 minutes 1970s, but has lately become a victim of to LINCOLN to THE LOOP gentrification. Despite this, the area is home to many Puerto Rican restaurants. PARK The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture is a prominent feature in Humboldt Park, showcasing the culture of the median rent for 1 br city’s Puerto Rican community. The neighborhood is home to a 207-acre park, which features two lagoons, a fieldhouse and even a baseball park.

20 minutes to THE LOOP

A breakdown of Chicago’s neighborhoo

$2,050

HUMBOLDT PARK

40 minutes to LINCOLN PARK

IT’S ALL GOOD

25 minutes to LINCOLN PARK

30 minutes to THE LOOP

$1,350 median rent for 1 br

$1,650 median rent for 2 br

Once a dying neighborhood ravished by crime, Wicker Park radically changed during the ‘90s after community efforts cleaned up the area and gentrification began to take place. Wicker Park is like Lincoln Park’s hipper and younger counterpart at a similar price point—think upscale resale shops versus high-end yoga boutiques, or young professionals versus families. It’s home to dozens of booming independent businesses and restaurants, and easily accessible via the Damen and Division Blue Line.

HOW TO SURVIVE AS A COMMUTER

An interesting option for those seeking a different experience from the standard North Side neighborhood. Bustling restaurants 30 minutes 15 minutes and bars, ethnic groceries and the Ping Tom to LINCOLN to THE LOOP Memorial Park define community life in this PARK southern neighborhood. East of the Red Line, life differs from the ethnically-defined dynamics of Chinatown’s small borders, with median rent for 1 br famed venue Reggie’s Rock Club and the amenities of the South Loop close by. Additionally, McCormick Place—the site of DePaul’s future basketball arena—is just a short median rent for 2 br bus ride away.

$1,400 $2,000

PILSEN

A traditionally Latino neighborhood, Pilsen is quickly being occupied by young artists 30 minutes 10 minutes and professionals. Unlike some of the more to LINCOLN to THE LOOP northern community areas, the Lower West Side community is still predominately Latino. PARK The vibrant culture is visible in many Mexican restaurants, bakeries, murals along 18th St. and the National Museum of Mexican Art. median rent for 1 br Easy access to the loop campus makes this neighborhood desirable for many students, but getting to Lincoln Park may be a bit trickier for students without a bike or a car.

$1,000 $1,244 median rent for 2 br

1.BE PREPARED FOR DELAYS

Whether you drive or take the Metra, you’re going to deal with delays. One of the major complaints about the Metra trains is that they’re consistently delayed, especially the BNSF Railway line, which passes through Downers Grove and Naperville, where many students are from. Students who drive always have to be thinking about how to schedule their day around the traffic on the expressways surrounding Chicago. It’s helpful to have a daily plan of what you will be doing, hour to hour, while commuting, so there’s no need to rush throughout your day.

2.FIND A FRIEND WHO YOU CAN STAY WITH

While it’s nicest to be at home, in your bed, far away from the bright lights and loud noises of the city, it’s also helpful to have a friend to stay with when you have an early morning following a late night downtown. It also gives commuters a rare opportunity to hang out with their friends who live in the city, as commuters typically go from class to class until they head home.

Apartment Guide. May 18, 2015. | 5

NORTH LINCOLN PARK

IN THE ‘HOODS

ods to simplify your apartment search

CENTRAL GOLD COAST

The Gold Coast is centrally located between both DePaul campuses and just about everything else in the city. Michigan Avenue and the lakefront are within walking distance, but all of the amenities will cost you. The Near North Side (encompassing Gold Coast, River North, Old Town and Streeterville) has the highest average rent in the city. Parking is near impossible unless there’s parking in your building, and the neighborhood lacks the charm found in most of Chicago. Crime for the Near North Side is also on the higher side, coming in No. 5 for most overall crime.

Accessibility and convenience are certainly pros to living in Lincoln Park, but the 0 minutes 20 minutes downside is cost. While the average price to LINCOLN to THE LOOP per apartment may swing high due to the swanky apartments, there are more PARK affordable options if you choose to live with one or more people. A simple solution to your neighborhood needs might cost you, median rent for 1 br but it comes with its perks. As a wealthier neighborhood, there’s tons of nightlife options, accessible transit, independent shops, grocery stores and proximity to other median rent for 2 br great North Side neighborhoods.

$1,750 $2,490 LAKEVIEW

15 minutes to LINCOLN PARK

15 minutes to THE LOOP

$1,030 median rent for 1 br

$1,300 median rent for 2 br

Great ample access to public transit, plentiful nightlife and safety are Lakeview’s most attractive qualities. Bounded by Diversey Parkway to the south, Irving Park Road to the north, Lake Michigan to the east, and Ravenswood Avenue to the west, the neighborhood has a community for nearly every student’s lifestyle. Chicago’s LGBTQ community thrives along Halsted Street, the Southport Corridor provides a change of pace for those looking to escape the quick pace of the city, and Wrigleyville is a party all year long.

SOUTH LOOP

The South Loop shares many similarities to the West Loop, but its proximity to the lake30 minutes 10 minutes front is what sets it apart. The South Loop to LINCOLN to THE LOOP has easy access to just about every neighborhood in the city due to its central locale, PARK and easy access to restaurants — though many Loop spots follow 9-5 work-week hours, grocery stores (Trader Joe’s, Jewmedian rent for 1 br el-Osco, Mariano’s, Whole Foods and Target all have outposts in the neighborhood). Like the West Loop, most residencies are in high rises or converted lofts, which don’t median rent for 2 br come cheap.

35 minutes to THE LOOP

$1,400 median rent for 1 br

$2,000 median rent for 2 br

UPTOWN

For those seeking the frills of Lakeview without dealing with the drunkenness of 20 minutes 35 minutes Wrigleyville, look no further than Uptown. to LINCOLN to THE LOOP Due to its size, Uptown has multiple cultural identities. Containing Little Vietnam with PARK its cluster of Asian grocery stores and variety of Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese restaurants, as well as entertainment median rent for 1 br hotspots like the Green Mill Cocktail lounge, the Riviera Theater and the Aragon Ballroom, Uptown is an excellent north-side alternative to Lakeview for those yearning for a little median rent for 2 br diversity in their lives.

$1,660

$1,180

$2,300

$1,650

LINCOLN SQUARE

WEST LOOP

Home to some of Chicago’s best restaurants along Randolph Street, the West Loop has kept some of its industrial, gritty feel while 40 minutes 15 minutes to LINCOLN to THE LOOP developing over the past several years. The PARK neighborhood is filled with mid- and high-rises with many converted lofts as well. Restaurants and grocery stores (including a new Whole Foods and a nearly-new Mariano’s) median rent for 1 br are a-plenty, but the neighborhood doesn’t have a student-friendly feel. Come to the West Loop in your late 20s.

$1,910 $2,600 median rent for 2 br

3.BRING MEALS WITH YOU

10 minutes to LINCOLN PARK

Commuters typically deal with incredibly long days in the city, leaving early in the morning and not getting back until late at night. With all the time spent in classes and traveling, you’re bound to get hungry. As food in the city is expensive, so it’s helpful to be able to bring a meal from home. While it can be fun to eat out once in a while, it’s more cost effective, and better for you to be able to bring a home-made meal. DePaul’s campuses are filled with microwaves as well, so commuters don’t have to resort to a boring sandwich every day, either.

Where Lawrence, Lincoln and Western avenues meet sits the charming commercial heart of Lincoln Square. The neighborhood is still heavily influenced by its deep German roots, with long-standing institutions such as the Chicago Brauhaus and Lutz Cafe and Bakery, in addition to German cultural organizations. But it’s not an entirely sleepy area, and is marked by cultural diversity of neighboring Albany Park. It’s also home to many small business and a thriving bar and restaurant scene while maintaining its cozy neighborhood feel.

4. REMEMBER IT WON’T BE THIS BAD FOREVER

Commuting is like a horrible nightmare that I worry I will never escape from. Don’t fret fellow students who live with your parents, one day you will be able to afford rent on your own. While you’re still commuting think about the positive aspects of living at home. For some of us, our parents make our food and wash our clothes. Someday we will look back on this extra time spent with our parents one day and treasure it. Or, at least that’s what we can tell ourselves when the Metra is delayed another hour longer.

25 minutes to LINCOLN PARK

40 minutes to THE LOOP

$1,110 median rent for 1 br

$1,750 median rent for 2 br

Story by: Courtney Jacquin Max Kleiner Brenden Moore Kirsten Onsgard Erin Yarnall

6 | Apartment Guide. May 18, 2015.

Thinking outside of the (IKEA) box By Megan Deppen

for by the right family, they may last one more generation.

News Editor

Your family

After signing the lease on your first apartment you may have the impulse to run to IKEA for the unlimited supply of stylish Swedish furniture. I will not deny that IKEA has everything, including their cheaper prices. But consider recycling perfectly good furniture — which can come at a discounted rate — that takes just a bit of creativity to find.

Start with Facebook and Craigslist ads

DePaul’s Students Living Off-Campus group is a studentled smorgasbord of opportunity. Students look for subletters, renters, and most importantly, people to take their old furniture off their hands. Graduating seniors are due for a furniture upgrade, or maybe they don’t want to haul their four year-old futon across the country back to their parents’ basement. Use your networking skills to build rapport with your peers and you can likely get a better price than what they think they want for the furniture. To tackle Craigslist means employing a bit more street-smarts. Craigslist is the Wild West of bargain shopping. Here are some tips before you dive in: • Pay attention to the age of the

MEGAN DEPPEN | THE DEPAULIA

This floral-patterned couch gifted from a generous grandma complements any recycled home decor. furniture. If it doesn’t say, you may want to stay away. • What do the pictures look like? If the owner put more than two seconds of thought into the photos, you’re off to a better start. • Grammar is your friend. If it looks like an eight-year-old with their finger stuck on the caps lock wrote the ad, then that $2 couch may have been sitting in an alley for 6 months before the seller

found it. • Always see the furniture before you fork over any cash, and always bring a big buddy with you to claim your Craigslist prize.

Garage sales

You could make like Macklemore and snag some grandma-swag at the thrift shop, but yard, garage and estate sales are also the epicenters for

reliable, discounted furniture. Garage salesmen and women are expert hagglers and would rather negotiate a price than turn down a sale. These are also great places to get quality furniture because, as your own grandparents will tell you, they just don’t make things like they used to. Tables, dishes, couches and chairs at garage sales may have lived through a generation or two, but when cared

Speaking of grandmas, your family — or your friends’ family — is a great network to tap into for used furniture. Upward moving relatives are always replacing furniture, and everyone has that one aunt who hoards things to begin with. That’s where you swoop in to do everyone a favor. Whether it’s the cousin who finally moved out of your uncle’s basement or the grandma who moved to Florida, remind your family that you’re family, and that they can donate their furniture in lieu of sending a lame Christmas card this year. For all used furniture, make sure you give it a good wiggle to check for stability. Look beneath the couch cushions for questionable stains, and always check drawers to see if they work properly. If you want to play hardto-get with a seller and you can live with a less-than-perfect piece of furniture, nag enough about the flaw until the seller makes a better offer. Remember, furnishing your college apartment doesn’t mean you need top-notch stuff. Remember that you’re likely to pass on these pieces in the next few years, so do your wallet a favor and buy things with a bit more character.

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Apartment Guide. May 18, 2015. | 7

DIY on a dime Using crafty skills to turn a dull apartment homey for cheap By Carolyn Duff Asst. Design Editor

I moved into my first apartment almost one year ago and as soon as I signed the lease, I couldn’t wait to start decorating. I’m pretty good at crafting, if I do say so myself, so I’ve managed to create several things that I can hang on my wall without shame. For those of you who don’t share my talent, here are a few ideas that will get you started. My favorite way to craft is “upcycling,” or turning something obsolete into something useful. Buying materials at craft stores is really expensive and most of your supplies will go to waste. Upcycling is a great way to save money because you can use things that you already have. If you’ve burned through a candle, re-use the empty container. You can re-fill it with wax to make a new candle, or do what DePaulia’s Editor-in-Chief Courtney Jacquin does and use it to grow a small plant in. You can also do the same things with mugs you aren’t using. I like to use old teacups with pretty patterns that I find at thrift shops for either of these options. I like having plants around my apartment as decoration. It’s kind of my way of proving to guests that I am responsible enough to keep another living thing alive. It also makes my space feel a little homier

because I’m used to being around nature. For another simple DIY, use a wine bottle for a vase. There are a lot of ways to dress up an empty bottle. First, remove the label by soaking the bottle in warm water and soap for at least 15 minutes, then peeling it off. You can wrap either string or painter’s tape around the bottle, spray paint it, then remove the wrappings once it’s dry. Or roll the bottom half of the bottle in glue, then glitter and let it dry. If you don’t want to put that much effort to it, just keep it simple and use the bottle as is. For décor in my room and storage for my jewelry, I used an old picture frame to create a jewelry holder that hangs on my wall. To achieve this, remove the glass and backing from a wooden picture frame, paint it any color you want, and use a staple gun to attach several wires from one side to the other. I enjoyed using the staple gun — I have little experience with power tools so I felt pretty powerful using it. If you don’t have access to a staple gun, wrap the wire around the side a few sides before moving to the opposite side. You can hang your earrings from that wire. Then, screw hooks into the bottom of the frame to hang your necklaces on. We’ve all seen funny Pintrest fails on the Internet so it’s known that the success rates for DIY projects are very low. For

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Botched DIY projects by DePaulia staff members Carolyn Duff, Courtney Jacquin and Erin Yarnall. For the full video, see depauliaonline.com. the best chance of success, plan for plenty of time to work on your DIY. If you rush through the steps, your project will be a sad mess. Also, know your crafting limitations. Think about steps to complete a DIY project, and ask yourself if you possess the necessary skills before tackling it. For example, if a project involves some sort of intricate painting, but you’ve never painted before, practice before painting on your final product. Or if you want to create a DIY to display your favorite quote, but your handwriting resembles a second-grader’s, use a stencil or ask a friend with good handwriting to write it out for you.

No matter how hard you try to make some cute décor, it’s OK if it doesn’t turn out. Usually the process is a lot more complex than the instructions let on. My friend and I once attempted to make picture frames out of old records. We bought stacks of records from a thrift store and followed some simple directions from a website we found. Despite our determination and countless attempts, not a single record turned out. It pains me to think about the records that went to waste that day, but we had a lot of fun failing. If you view your DIY as a fun activity, you won’t be so disappointed if it doesn’t turn out.

QUIZ: WHAT KIND OF ROOMMATE ARE YOU? 1. The garbage is overflowing. You: a) Take it out yourself. Like ALWAYS. Why are you the only responsible roommate?!! b) Ignore it until the Trash Fairy inevitably takes it out. c) Strategically balance your trash on top. You’ll get around to it later. Maybe. d) Take it out, but make sure to announce your efforts to your roommate(s) for future reference. 2. You’ve been daydreaming about your leftover pizza all day. When you get home, you see it’s been eaten by one of your roommates. You: a) Go on a witch-hunt until you find the heartless monster that ate your beloved pepperoni slices. Have they no respect? No dignity? b) Shhhh, I’m actually the roommate that stole the food... c) Confront your roommates. They inform you that you ate it when you got back from the bar last night. d) Order a new one but make sure to talk to them about it later. Whoever ate it was probably hungry and it’s not like you’ve never stolen any of their food. 3. How often are you at your place? a) I’m out and about from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. b) If I don’t have plans, work or class, I’m there. c) I’m practically always at a friend’s/my significant other’s. There is a strong possibility someone else has moved into my bedroom by now. d) I always have a pretty busy schedule but try to escape the chaos of the city and relax at home when possible. Mostly As: While you really do mean well, your desire to have a pictureperfect place at all times is kind of unrealistic. You’re in college and should enjoy the time you have to be slightly irresponsible and have it be socially acceptable. Your roomies appreciate having a mom figure around sometimes, but they wish you’d occasionally just relax and have some fun.

4. Describe your bedroom: a) A place for everything and everything in its place. b) I can’t remember the last time I saw the floor. c) There’s always a bit of mess, but I can usually find my stuff. d) It depends on the day, but generally it is in pretty decent condition. 5. What exactly did you contribute to your apartment? a) I brought practically all the furniture, art for the walls and a bunch of dishes and silverware. Honestly, this place is basically mine. b) Well, I bought this really cool tapestry for the living room and Season 2 of “Bob’s Burgers” on DVD! c) We wouldn’t have shot glasses or a wine-opener if it weren’t for me! d) I didn’t bring everything, but I brought a decent amount. 6. You hate your roommate’s significant other. You: a) Ban him/her from coming over when you’re home. You pay rent and you get a say in who’s welcome here, dammit! b) Ignore it. They’ll (hopefully) be a thing of the past soon enough. c) Passive aggressively make your opinion clear. *Slams door* d) Talk to your roommate about it. She’s pretty understanding.

Mostly Bs: Maybe you’re used to your parents doing everything or maybe you just don’t even realize it, but you need to be a little more proactive about putting in some work around your place. Keeping an apartment in shape is a group effort — and lifting your feet up so your roomie can vacuum underneath them does not count as effort. Your roommates do, however, love your tendency to be 100 percent drama-free.

7. How often do you go out during the week? a) I only go out on the weekends, no matter what. b) My friends beg me to leave but I have Netflix and a kitchen here so... c) I only go out on the appropriate drinking days: Mixed-Drink Monday, Tipsy Tuesday, Wet Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday and on the weekend. d) If my homework is finished and I don’t have early classes, why not go see some friends? 8. How do you divvy up housework? a) I don’t make any of the messes, ever. Why should I have to pick up? b) If I see something that needs to be done, I do it. c) I do everything because my lazy roommates don’t. Have I mentioned I hate my roommates? d) We have a pretty good system worked out. 9. Which Leo is your ideal roommate? a) Teddy Daniels from “Shutter Island” because you don’t mind a little crazy in a roomie as long as they’re willing to do a little dirty work. b) Jack Dawson from “Titanic” because you’ll never let go (of the shoe boxes and plastic bags piling up in your apartment). c) Jordan Belfort from “Wolf of Wall Street” because you’re always down for a good time. d) Romeo Montague from “Romeo and Juliet” because you appreciate his loving personality and think Tybalt totally had it coming.

Mostly Cs: You’re undoubtedly a great time to be around and an awesome friend, but sometimes your roommates want to come home and not listen to you blaring Chief Keef at 1 a.m. on a weeknight. Occasionally staying in would be good for your grades, health and relationships with your roommates. But don’t let this stop you from having fun when the time is right.

Mostly Ds: You must have grown up with siblings because you understand that keeping the peace with those you live with requires patience and work. You recognize that you aren’t the only person paying rent and make sure not to irk those you share a roof with. I guess what I’m trying to say is... will you live with me? DANIELLE HARRIS | THE DEPAULIA