2016-2017 2016 - 2017
MSU Reporter
HOUSING GUIDE
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE
Make your place feel like home sweet home
ELLYN GIBBS Staff Writer
Some college students are fortunate enough to remain in the same home throughout their years of schooling. However, others move to a new location every year, due to annoying roommates, overpriced rent, or other complicated circumstances. It’s difficult to live in limbo, especially when the semester’s almost over and you still have half your belongings in cardboard boxes. Here are five tips for making your place, whether a dorm, apartment, house, tent, or blanket fort, feel more like home. 1. Get a plant or a puppy. Something that depends on you for care will help you feel responsibility and ownership towards your home. Granted, most college housing options are friendlier
toward cacti than canines, but you still have lots of options within the terms of your housing contract. A beta fish, an aloe plant with medicinal qualities, a tarantula… all are relatively easy to care for, even though your roommates may not appreciate these options equally. When all else fails, pet rocks are available for adoption on most roadsides. 2. Plan roommate dinners once a week. Or, if you live alone, have some close friends over for dinner and conversation. Home cooking is difficult to coordinate with everyone’s crazy college schedules and activities, but simulating a family-style atmosphere will help you feel more like a family in your new place. If you invite guests, you’ll be exercising your new ability to host people, something not everyone is able to do.
3. Post a photo of a favorite corner in your new home on social media. Have you bought a new tapestry for the living room wall? Arranged your bookshelf with all your favorite reads and your new plant? Share its coziness with your friends and family who are not close enough to visit. Giving others a window into your new home will foster pride and ownership in what you’ve created. 4. Dedicate a couple hours a week to “home care.” Vacuum, organize, dust; give any love you think that your home needs to remain clean and happy. Keep it somewhere you want to return at the end of a long day. This process can be therapeutic for humans as well as beneficial to living spaces. Try to minimize media use during this time and concentrate solely on
the tasks at hand. 5. Improve something. You may not be allowed to paint a wall, but there are always things you can do to make a house better, even if it’s something as simple as setting a welcome mat outside. Apply some WD-40 to your squeaky door hinges. Scrub out your sink with a Magic Eraser. Making the world a better place starts in your very own home. Make the most of your college housing. Even though you’re moving around a lot and always on the go, you can use this period of life to exercise creativity and self-expression with your home as a canvas. Hopefully this tips prove helpful when you may be battling homesickness, evil roommates or an exhausting schedule.
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2016 - 2017
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE
Complete guide to choosing next year’s living arrangement LUKE LARSON Staff Writer Have you thought about your living situation for next year? It’s not too early to start. It’s a big decision and the many aspects to consider can be daunting. To help organize your thoughts, read through these four essential living arrangement factors. Rank each category from one to four based on the importance they each have to you. After having finished your prioritization, read the final paragraph and begin your search. Proximity __/4 Is it important for you to be able to walk or bike to class or is commuting from across town feasible? Consider your transportation options and the cost of those options. Where will you be
Photo from pixbay.com CC0 Public Domain
spending most of your day? Campus? Your workplace? Is cutting time out of your busy schedule a central priority for you? When searching for a living arrangement, keep these considerations in mind. Don’t end up regretting your decision because the
commute is too long or because you paid too much for a place close to campus. If staying near campus is an absolute necessity, rank this category #1 and begin your search by looking at the options in the immediate vicinity of campus such as Highland Hills, University
Square, or the dorms. Roommates __/4 Oftentimes, the people you live with have a greater impact on your satisfaction with your living situation than the place you live. Are you the kind of person who can get along with anybody or would you rather live with close friends? Consider your past roommates. What worked and what didn’t? Were you happy with your random dorm assignment or were you relieved to finally get an apartment with your friends? If who you live with is more important to you than where you live, rank this category #1 and begin your search by contacting friends to coordinate housing plans.
LIVING page 14
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2016 - 2017
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE
Top move-in must-dos for college students
ALISSA THIELGES Staff Writer
So you’ve found the perfect place. Maybe found some roommates. Signed the lease. Now what? Well here is a list of move-in must do’s to help your move-in day – and the following days – go much smoother. Check move-in time and procedures – The last thing you want to be doing the morning you move in is running around trying to find out where to get your keys or if you have all your important documents signed. Some places have certain procedures and move-in times for incoming residents, which is not something you want to be finding out the day of. Call for services ahead of time – Make sure all of your utilities will be up and
running by move-in day. This can include calling and setting up a time for your internet provider to stop by. Call them in advance to set up a time because the movein time is crazy, and if you wait until the last minute, you may be without the internet for a couple days or longer. Ask for help – Many hands make quick work, and I know from experience, if you live on the top floor of your building, you will be glad for the extra hands. If it’s not possible for people to help you all day long (sometimes move-in day is on a weekday when everyone is working), at least secure a time for a couple of strong bodies to come help lift the bigger pieces of furniture. Your muscles will thank you. Pack a “moving box” full of essentials – Place necessities such as toilet
paper, cleaning products, water bottles, paper towels, hand soap, maybe some snacks, etc. in a box that gets moved in first. This can include anything that you think people will need access to right away. If nothing else, make sure you have access to toilet paper. That is not something you want to have to search for in case of an emergency. Complete the damage form – This is a form they give you when you move in where you can note any damages that have already been done to the place. A quick walk through might give you a glance, but in order to be thorough, I’d give it a couple of days, in order to give yourself time to fully notice the condition of everything. You can miss a lot due to the frenzy of the move-in process.
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CLEAN – An absolute must, in my opinion. This should usually be done within the first few days. I wouldn’t do it right as you move in, because you are going to have people coming in and out, tracking dirt everywhere. When you are ready, start by disinfecting any surface that hands touch (handles, door knobs, faucets, etc.) Sweep and mop all tiled/ laminated floors and vacuum all carpeted areas. I would also recommend wiping down counters, cabinets and appliances (especially the fridge!) The bathroom a must as well, since the idea of the previous tenants using my shower is just, ick. Cleaning is way of starting fresh in your new place.
MOVE-IN page 7
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2016 - 2017
Apartments and pets: Know what’s best for our furry friends STEPHANIE VOGEL Staff Writer Pets require a lot of care, expense, and responsibility, but owning one and taking care of it properly can lead to satisfactory companionship, entertainment, and therapy. All animals must be registered through the apartment’s management in order to be included in an apartment home. According to Ian Badayos, an employee of Live Active Apartments, many pets have been allowed to be registered, including birds, bunnies, fish, lizards, and snakes. No hamsters or mice have been registered because the smell can be difficult to contain. Before adopting a pet, one must know the responsibilities that will come with owning a pet. Do not just go out and
buy a pet for the fun of it, because you might realize that you are not able to take care of it with your busy schedule. The extra expense of owning a pet is another factor to consider, so be prepared to spend the left over money on your budget for your pet, rather than splurging for yourself. It is recommended to be a pet-sitter for someone you know before owning a pet yourself. That way, you will be aware of all the care that goes into having a pet. Responsibilities include making sure the pet has had enough exercise, which is most important for dog owners. Take the dog for a walk between classes, or leave it roaming around the apartment while at work or school. Don’t forget to take the dog out frequently, so as to avoid messes inside the apartment. Watch your
pet to make sure it does not rip up the carpet, claw on the couch, or eat homework. Remember that pets need frequent human interaction in order to feel loved and
cared for. There are many accommodations for people
PETS page 10
MOVE-IN
continued from page 6 Take stock – As you unpack, keep a running list of everything that you will still need to get. Ideally, you and your roommates would coordinate who’s bringing what, but, somehow, you usually end up in a situation where you have twenty-four knives and eight spoons. Or three large skillet pans, but only one small cookie sheet. It’s bound to occur. So take stock. Note outlets when organizing – Pretty selfexplanatory, but just
remember to be conscious of where all the power outlets are in your place. Try to orient the furniture around them so you don’t always have to crawl behind the couch to plug in your laptop charger. Have fun! – It’s a stressful time, sure, but it’s also exciting. Your new place! Get excited about decorating and finding a place for all of your belongings. Enjoy making the new place your new home.
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE
2016 - 2017
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE
Did we just become friends?: Tips for being a good roommate music off in the evenings. Additionally, knowing each other’s schedules provides insight into the groups’ sleep patterns. Paying bills on time is monumental for all parties involved. A great way to ensure all home occupants stay alert of the due dates is to have a calendar with due dates on the fridge, pantry door, or cupboard in
the kitchen. If the calendar approach is not suitable, place one of those dryerase magnetic boards on the fridge, and write the due dates on it. Placing the bills on the fridge is effective, too. Discussing the method of payment between the group
ROOMMATE page 12
Photo from pixbay.com CC0 Public Domain
KALEB NORTH Staff Writer When moving in with new roommates, whether with old pals or recently acquainted peers, it’s a wise idea to have “the talk.” These get-togethers provide the perfect time to discuss those delicate and essential subjects like respecting each other’s schedules, paying bills on
time, and maintaining clean and organized public spaces. First and foremost, knowing your roommate’s schedules is one of the cardinal priorities in living arrangements. If you and your flat mates really wanted to impress each other, you could post your class schedules on the fridge. Ask if they’ll be working part-time or full-time, that way, you’ll know when to be quiet in the mornings and when to turn your hoodrat
PETS...continued from page 7 who choose to keep dogs in their apartments. Dog parks are available for exercising the dog, and there are pet-friendly buildings with doggy bag stands next to the door. The doggy bag stands are similar to hand sanitizer dispensers. These are convenient for the winter time, when owners take their dogs out usually
for bathroom needs only. The responsibility for any damage a pet may cause in the apartment is shared by all roommates of the pet owner. The roommates have to be on the same page with the person who will be keeping a pet, and sign the lease with this in mind.
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE
Signing a lease: What you need to know before a legal contract HEEJAE JUNG Staff Writer Finding a place to live can be very stressful and frustrating, especially for college students, and signing a lease can be even more daunting. However, if you keep a few things in mind beforehand, you will feel much more confident when you make your signature. First thing’s first; know where you want to live. Write down the list of your preferences, and know what you cannot compromise on. For example, if you don’t want to go all the way to do laundry, you need to find a place having laundry machines and dryers. Second, set your budget and select the area. Roughly calculate your budget. With your set budget and preferred area, you can narrow down your options faster and save precious
time from doing ridiculous amounts of searches. Third, go for details. Once you started to search your options, this is the time you want to be precise and look for detailed information of the places. Does this place have monthly rent? Does it have utility fees, internet, or so on? At this stage of signing a lease, these questions should be answered. Next, don’t be naïve! Needless to say, the monthly rent is one of the most important things you need meet as a part of a lease. Even if you are working or you will be working by the time you move in, you need to be realistic with what you are making and what you will be paying on a monthly. Before you make that final signature, make sure you have hard copies of everything. Signing a lease is a legal contract. If you decided to sign, try to get
every information in writing. “Talking to a landlord” doesn’t fully guarantee the conversation you and the landlord had, so ask them to give you printed documents, especially when it comes to the time when you have to make an actual contract. Read those documents completely, if you have questions, then ask them. Do not rush to give your signature. Last but not least, you’ve signed then lease. Now that you are legally contracted to this place, obey the rules. Remember that this is not your official home—you are only renting it. If you live in a community apartment, respect the community’s rules. Clean and vacuum regularly and empty your trash can. Remember, as long as you don’t live in your own house, you are a part of the community.
ROOMMATE
continued from page 10 is vital as well. Will everyone write a check, give cash to one person and they make the payment on their debit card? Reviewing the above and implementing a program will prevent late fees, which we all despise with a passion. Something I personally always appreciated is the cleanliness of the public areas in the apartment or home. Remaining clean can be hard at times, but 99 percent of roommates appreciate a clean living situation. To avoid a mess, clean as your go. Use time waiting for a meal to
ROOMMATE
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2016 - 2017
Sign a Lease for 2017-2018 Today! To schedule a tour, call (507) 625-2787 or visit our office at 200 Briargate Road, Mankato, MN leasing@liveactiveapartments.com www.liveactiveapartments.com
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE
LIVING
continued from page 4 Price __/4 Ultimately, your decision comes down to what you’re able to afford. Take a look at your finances and figure out what’s realistic. Are there important factors you look for in a living arrangement that you’re willing to pay a little more for? Or do you keep yourself to a strict budget, even if that means making sacrifices? If you won’t consider anywhere that isn’t in your ideal price range, rank this category #1 and begin by searching local apartments by monthly rent. Zillow.com is a great resource for finding available options. Amenities __/4 Consider what you want in the apartment itself. Consider the layout, amount of bedrooms, size, appliances, and so on. Can you handle cramped quarters – maybe even sharing a
bedroom – or do you need space? Is it important to be able to do laundry in your own apartment or are you willing to go elsewhere for that? How do you feel about reliability of appliances? If your first consideration is whether or not the physical living space meets your standards, rank this category #1 and begin your search by calling up local apartments and scheduling some tours. Now that you’ve established your priorities, you’re able to contemplate your options with more clarity. Begin by searching for apartments that correspond to your first priority, then your second, and so on. As an example, let’s say your priorities are 1) price, 2) roommates, 3) proximity, and 4) amenities. Begin by searching for all the apartments that fit your ideal
price range. Afterwards, contact your friends who are looking for a place and see if that price range fits their budget. See if they have any preferences among the options on your list. Then cross off all the apartments on the list that are out of your ideal proximity range.
And finally, tour those last remaining apartments and choose the one that has your favorite layout, appliances, size, etc. Ideally, you will find an available apartment that fits all four priorities. The sooner you start, the more likely that is to happen.
ROOMMATE
continued from page 12 clean your dishes. Your roommates will appreciate the cleanliness. The same goes with the bathroom; aim to have the countertop cleared and clean. Another small yet fundamental concept, in my opinion, is fridge and pantry space. My current roommates and I divided our three shelf pantry equally. We have more than enough room for our nonperishable food items there. Fridge/freezer space can be
trickier. My roommates and I didn’t discuss it, but I keep my items all on the left side of the units, I think they’ve caught onto that. If you follow and practice my suggestions above, I think you’ll find a conducive living environment where the housemates can study, entertain and socialize with one another and guests. “Did we just become best friends? Yup! Wanna go do karate in the garage?!”
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2016 - 2017
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THE REPORTER HOUSING GUIDE 2015-2016