Living Guide, spring 2022

OU DAILY

SPRING 2022

LIVING GUIDE COMPARING APARTMENT RATES • 4

TIPS ON BUILDING A BUDGET • 7

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION • 8

MOVING OFF CAMPUS • 11

LIVING GUIDE

Feb. 22-28, 2022 •

THE

LINGO OF LEASING

BY TIM HATTON

PHOTO BY CASSANDRA SNOW

TENANT

APPLICATION

GUARANTOR

RENTERS INSURANCE

A tenant is a person living in and renting the space, used interchangeably with “renter” or “resident.”

The first step in renting a space is applying for it. Most applications require basic contact information and evidence you can afford to live in the space, as well as proof of ID (like a driver’s license), your Social Security number to check your credit and references of previous places you’ve rented, if applicable. Most applications require a nonrefundable fee as well — expect to pay $20 to $100 for this in Norman.

A guarantor is a person who signs a lease agreement along with the tenant, ensuring that the rent and other financial obligations will be paid. A landlord often requires a guarantor if a tenant doesn’t independently make enough money to afford the space. For college students, this is often a parent.

Renters insurance policies charge a monthly fee, or premium, in exchange for financial protection for the policyholder in the event that their belongings at the rental property are stolen or damaged. Policies are relatively inexpensive — most cost around $12 to $15 per month and are available from the same companies that offer car or homeowners insurance. Some landlords require renters insurance, but most only recommend it.

RENT Rent is the cost to live in a space, usually paid once per month. The dollar amount of rent is laid out in the lease, along with any late fees associated with rent paid after its due date.

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LIVING GUIDE

• Feb. 22-28, 2022

COMPARING RATES

BY RACHEL HUBBARD

Redpoint Norman 1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $805-935 3 bedroom: $685 4 bedroom: $599-655 5 bedroom: $639 Furniture: $20 EXTRA

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

State on Campus 1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $659 3 bedroom: $519 4 bedroom: $504 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

Aspen Heights 1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $744 3 bedroom: $635 4 bedroom: $584 5 bedroom: $554 Furniture: $25 EXTRA PER MONTH

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

Alight 12th Ave 1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $715 3 bedroom: $580-705 4 bedroom: N/A 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: NO Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

Alight Norman 1 bedroom: $999 2 bedroom: $689 3 bedroom: $529-629 4 bedroom: $499 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

Callaway House

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

1 bedroom: $1,174 2 bedroom: $809-849 3 bedroom: $719 4 bedroom: $609-739 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: INCLUDED In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: INCLUDED Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: ADDITIONAL COST

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: N/A 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $485 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: NO Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

1 bedroom: $939-1019 2 bedroom: $654-679 3 bedroom: $526-528 4 bedroom: $475 5 bedroom: $465 Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

Millennium 1 bedroom: $990 2 bedroom: $713 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $458-519 5 bedroom: $438 Furniture: INCLUDED

Campus Lodge 1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: N/A 3 bedroom: $484 4 bedroom: $424 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: NO Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

OU Traditions 1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $624-721 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $594 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: YES Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

Commons on Oak Tree 1 bedroom: N/A 2 bedroom: $465-610 3 bedroom: N/A 4 bedroom: $299 5 bedroom: N/A Furniture: NOT INCLUDED

WiFi: YES In-unit Laundry: YES Cable: NO Pool: YES Gym: YES Parking: FREE

SOONER STAT

Q

A.

Oklahoma’s Social Host Law is also known as Cody’s Law. The law was passed by community efforts after the tragic loss of a teenager to overdose on substances provided by adults at a party.

What happens if I’m having a party and my friends who aren’t 21 are drinking?

Their use

NOT

-

In 2004, Tul-

-

homa way! y!

Got a question about alcohol?

Scan the QR code or email it to redcup@ou.edu

ADVERTISE ON OUR NEWSRACKS Reach the OU community with our newsracks located in seven high-traffic areas.

Ad size: 24 X 48 inches $500 / month

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Sunday Worship: We are in person for 8:40 and 10:45 a.m. & livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube for 10:45 a.m.

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at Norman

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Affordable 1 & 2 BR Apts w/FREE Amenities + Golf!!

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Visit Us Online at www.linksatnorman.apartments

405-321-3430 • 3927 24th Ave. SE, Norman OK

LIVING GUIDE

Feb. 22-28, 2022 •

Build-A-Budget DISCRETIONARY EXPENSES

INCOME + RESOURCES

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, ENTERTAINMENT

JOB 1

SHOPPING

JOB 2

TRAVEL

ALLOWANCE/PARENTAL ASSISTANCE

CHARITY/DONATIONS

SAVINGS

GIFTS

SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL AID

OTHER

GIFTS OTHER

TOTAL

TOTAL

VARIABLE EXPENSES FIXED EXPENSES UTILITIES (WATER, ELECTRICITY, ETC.) GAS/TRANSPORTATION

RENT

FOOD/GROCERIES

CAR PAYMENT

PHONE BILL

TUITION LOAN PAYMENTS

OTHER

INSURANCE

TOTAL

INTERNET & CABLE

PERIODIC EXPENSES MEDICAL CARE VEHICLE REPAIR TEXTBOOKS PERSONAL CARE (HAIRCUTS, SPA, ETC.) MOVING EXPENSES OTHER TOTAL

OTHER TOTAL

Whether you’re signing your first lease or accepting a post-graduate job, budgeting is a great way to stay on top of your finances. This simple practice will guide you in determining how much you can afford to pay in everything from rent and utilities to new clothes or fun nights out with friends.

If you’re not the pencil-and-paper type, try building a digital spreadsheet. Or, download a free budgeting app like Mint, Goodbudget, Personal Capital or Buddy to help you track spending and build a financial plan. For more budgeting tools and money management resources, check out the OU Libraries Financial Literacy Guide at guides.ou.edu/financial_literacy/9things. There are many of ways to build a successful budget. Choose a plan that works for you and reflects your personal habits and values.

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LIVING GUIDE

• Feb. 22-28, 2022

OU Traditions East, OU Traditions West and the VUE

Location, Location, Location B Y M YA T S U

University Blvd Apartments

OU Traditions East, OU Traditions West and the VUE offer the same proximity entertainment. With only one street separating these three apartment complexes, all three are prime locations to reach an array of entertainment options. For those who are OU Athletics fans, the OU John Crain Field, L. Dale Mitchell Park and Lloyd Noble Center are all less than a 15 minute walk away.

For those with more artistic interests, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is right around the corner. The museum is 15 minutes away and displays the history of Oklahoma permanently. It also hosts multiple special exhibits such as the “Beautiful Beasts” and “Guatemalan Textiles” exhibits.

Patio Apartments Located across I-35 on Robinson Street and 36th Avenue, The Patio Apartments are further from campus life but certainly don’t lack in activities. Only a 10 minute walk away from the Patio Apartments, Springbrook Park gives renters a break from the hustle and bustle of campus. Just a short eight minute walk away is the Brookhaven Village Shopping Center. Not only does the shopping center include boutiques, but it also has fitness centers, a day spa and plenty of restaurants and cafes.

The University Blvd Apartments, formally known as the Keys West apartments, is one of the closest apartment complexes to campus.

Located on University Boulevard, these apartments have a full view of the north oval, which is only a five minute walk away. Just one block over is Campus Corner, home to a wide variety of entertainment including restaurants, bars, sweets shops and boutiques.

Callaway House Apartments Need to get to campus quickly? Are you a big OU sports fan or athlete? Callaway House Apartments is your best bet. Tucked into the east side of campus, Callaway is two blocks away from the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, McCasland Field House and John Jacobs Track and Field Complex. Right behind Callaway is the Norman favorite The Mont, known for its swirls and oversized cheese fries. Walking a little farther opens up a world of possibilities — Campus Corner’s beloved restaurants and shops.

Across from Campus Corner is the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, which is always free for all visitors and regularly hosts events.

Legend On-Campus Housing Off-Campus Housing Norman Campus

LIVING GUIDE

Feb. 22-28, 2022 •

Patio Apartments

University Blvd Apartments

Callaway Apartments

OU Traditions West OU Traditions East The Vue

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LIVING GUIDE

• Feb. 22-28, 2022

COVID19 AND CONFRONTATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HANDLING ROOM MATERELATED CONFLICTS

BY JACINDA HAMEON AND JILLIAN TAYLOR COMMUNICATE • Be open-minded. Start with a conversation, and try to find common ground.

EMPATHIZE

The college experience has differed greatly from years past amid the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing students like you from enjoying life outside of classes to the fullest. There are, however, still ways to enjoy the company of the people you’re stuck inside with — even though you have relinquished parts of your social life.

In the event you butt heads with your quarantine buddies, Goddard Counseling Center’s Clinical Services Director and staff psychologist Brittany Stewart shared a few tips with The Daily on how to handle conflicts related to COVID-19.

STAND UP FOR YOURSELF

• Acknowledge and validate your roommates’ feelings. It is important to remember you’re both facing separate challenges.

• Clearly express respective boundaries and find a way to come together without compromising them. Empathy is important, but you should not have to compromise when it comes to maintaining your health.

“This public health issue has become a very charged political issue and that makes people kind of shut down when they’re trying to have conversations or when they are approached with viewpoints that are different from the viewpoints they hold,” Stewart said. “But I think my suggestion would be to start with having a conversation — finding areas where there might be some overlap or agreements.”

“I think a good place to start is being open and kind and calm, which is sometimes hard because you can have to regulate your own reactions,” Stewart said. “So you have to do a lot of work when you’re trying to initiate that conversation.”

“Your feelings are always valid,” Stewart said.

“You have to be working from that level of understanding with the person you’re communicating with. … Be assertive and say, ‘As a result of me feeling this way, I would really appreciate it if.’ Then you can make a request.”

FIND A WORKABLE SOLUTION

REFER TO PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS

SEEK HELP

• Express your concerns and be transparent about the way you feel.

• After you have established boundaries, you can work toward addressing the issue.

• If conflict resolution attempts fail, consider bringing in a mediator to help. Resident assistants are a great resource when it comes to settling conflicts.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines are a useful starting point in structuring roommate agreements. The CDC has specific guidelines for shared housing outlined on its website, including recommendations on how to social distance in common areas and avoid sharing drinks and dining utensils.

• If you feel unequipped to manage these conflicts, head over to the Goddard Counseling Center website. The center provides a variety of resources promoting the development of interpersonal skills and effective communication.

• Consider joining the Feel Better Fast group at Goddard to learn more about interpersonal and coping skills.

“Maybe there isn’t a workable solution and things become more complicated,” Stewart said.

“That’s when I would encourage the person to say, ‘What are the things that I can do to take care of myself here?’”

“I would always refer back to the CDC guidelines. … Using that as a foundation for building universal policies or guidelines would be really helpful,” Stewart said.

“We ultimately don’t have control over what other people do, which kind of sucks in this situation when they’re doing things that might be putting another person at risk of getting sick,” Stewart said. “When things get confrontational, and it doesn’t feel like there’s efforts to make a resolution, I always encourage people to just focus on what (they) can do.”

LIVING GUIDE

Feb. 22-28, 2022 •

Utilities

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOVING

OFF CAMPUS

BY GABBY BROWN

Where to Find Available Housing A simple Google search can go a long way in finding available housing in Norman.

Other platforms to search include Apartment Finder, Apartments.com, Craigslist and Zillow. Housing is readily available throughout the city, but a good first step in narrowing down your options is to decide how close you want to be to campus. Most importantly, talk to upperclassmen who already live off campus to get an idea of where people live and why.

House vs. Apartment The second step in deciding where to live is deciding if you want a house or an apartment. Houses come with perks. You typically have more space — both indoor and outdoor — and usually have easy access to parking. However, living in a house is a high-maintenance investment.

Most houses have to be furnished and require more out-of-pocket care than an apartment or living complex, and with the added square footage, they can be more expensive to heat and cool.

Your Security Deposit Once you have decided where you want to live, most places will require you to pay a security deposit. Security deposits cover any damage done to the space in your time of living there. If no damage is done, the deposit is returned in full. To make sure you get your deposit back, be sure to document any damage already done to the space upon moving in so you are not

deemed responsible for it. Additionally, upon moving out, do the same to make sure that you are not charged for any damage done after you move out. In general, know the rules and regulations of your lease and keeping your deposit should not be a problem.

Parking OU’s campus is vast, but its parking lots are not. If you plan on commuting to campus, make sure you consider the amount of time spent and cost of finding parking on campus every day. If you have a class in the middle of the day, parking can be especially difficult to find. Living within a walkable distance of campus can be more expensive, but it can also be worth the price.

Utilities refer to any service associated with living in a space like Wi-Fi, electricity, gas, water and trash. Some landlords include utilities in the cost of rent, and some charge tenants for utilities separately. Make sure you know if you are paying rent with utilities included or not.

A space may appear less expensive, but with the added cost of utilities, it may be more expensive than an all-inclusive cost of another space. If you’re responsible for your own utilities, make sure to call your utility providers well in advance, as it can often take days or weeks to get a residence fully set up during high-demand months.

and it can make moving later significantly more difficult. For cheap furniture options, check out online marketplaces, thrift stores or furniture resale stores.

Renter’s Insurance You need it. You cannot predict the future, and it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to renter’s insurance.

Another simple Google search can yield many different insurance plans available for purchase as cheap as $10 per month.

Paying for renter’s insurance may seem unnecessary now, but you will end up paying less in the end.

Amenities

Pet Policy

Most living complexes in the area come with access to amenities like pools, gyms and community centers. Consider what kind of amenities may be of use to you.

For example, if you are going to pay for a gym membership anyway, maybe consider looking into a nicer complex that includes a gym. On-site laundry is another helpful amenity that can save time and money down the road.

Make sure you read your lease if you plan on living with a pet in your new home.

Most complexes have some kind of pet policy, and you may have to pay extra if you have an animal. In general, houses are typically more lenient on pets than other living complexes and often feature fenced-in backyard options for your pup’s safety. Some apartment complexes also have dog parks. Wherever you live, be sure to check with your future roommates before adopting any sort of pet. A pet is a great companion, but make sure you consider all aspects of pet ownership before bringing home Fido.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished Make sure you know whether your new home comes furnished. Rent may be cheap, but the cost of purchasing furniture can add up quickly, not to mention the extra hands needed on move-in day.

Purchasing furniture is a commitment,

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