The Breeze Off-Campus Life Special Edition 10.12.23

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To the place i belong

The Breeze’s guide to finding your 2024-25 off-campus housing

By ABI MIDDLETON

It’s

Altitude

Starting rent : $619 per resident

In-unit options: Offers one-, two- and four-bedroom choices with private bathrooms and in-home washers and dryers; rooms are fully furnished.

Amenities: A 24-hour fitness center, a 24-hour clubhouse with a kitchen, a rooftop deck and lounge, a computer lab with computer stations and grocery delivery.

Location: Approximately 2 miles from the JMU Bookstore.

Arcadia

Starting rent: $624 per resident

In-unit options: Offers fully furnished fourbedroom apartments with private bathrooms, a full in-unit washer and dryer, ceiling fans and walk-in closets.

Amenities: A clubhouse, outdoor grilling station, study and TV lounge, business center and coffee bar. It also offers free parking for residents and guests with vehicles.

Location: Just over two miles from the JMU Bookstore, directly on the pink Harrisonburg Department of Transportation (HDPT) bus route.

Campus View Apartments

Starting rent: $590 per resident

In-unit options: Each comes with four bedrooms and private bathrooms. Rooms are fully furnished and includes internet, a deck/balcony, walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances, and a washer and dryer.

Amenities: Two clubhouses, two 24/7 fitness centers, a basketball court, beach volleyball courts, pavilion, community charcoal grills, a community hammock lounge and free printing for all residents. Some units are privately owned and leased as Campus View Condominiums.

Location: About 2.5 miles from the JMU Bookstore and on an HDPT’s Route 2 bus stop.

Copper Beech

Starting rent: $660 per resident

In-unit options: Options ranging from one to four bedrooms and one to 4 1/2 bathrooms. Each room has a walk-in closet, and each apartment has a washer and dryer. For pets, there’s a deck shared by two neighboring apartments.

Amenities: A computer lab and a study lounge. For those with active lifestyles, the complex provides access to a 24-hour fitness center as well as two basketball courts, two pools and a sand volleyball court. It also has a clubhouse with a kitchenette, two tanning capsules and internet.

Location: Approximately 2.7 miles from the JMU Bookstore and on an HDPT Route 2 bus stop.

The Breeze

officially signing season. Picking a new place to live can be stressful for students, so The Breeze has the important information for 17 off-campus housing options for students. The housing complexes included were those that were represented at the Oct. 3 Off-Campus Housing Fair in the Festival Conference and Student Center.

Daria Ausen / The Breeze

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Graphics by Eleanor Shaw / The Breeze

The Cottages (previously known as Aspen Heights)

Starting rent: $765-$840 per resident

In-unit options: Offers two- to fivebedroom apartments both with furnished and unfurnished options. Each apartment includes individual bathrooms for residents and an additional half bathroom, as well as a washer and dryer.

Amenities: Its community building comes with a 24-hour clubhouse, fitness center, a pool and hot tub, a sand volleyball court, private study rooms and internet. For those with furry friends, worry not — The Cottages is a gated neighborhood.

Location: Two miles from the JMU Bookstore and located on an HDPT Route 6 bus stop.

Deer Run Apartments

Starting rent: $1,285-$1,755 monthly per unit

In-unit options: One-, two- and threebedroom options with walk-in closets, on-site laundry and cable.

Amenities: A picnic and grill area, a basketball court and a soccer field.

Location: Within 1 1/2 miles of the JMU Bookstore and on an HDPT Route 6 bus stop.

Foxhill Townhomes

Starting rent: $495-$550 per resident

In-unit options: Four-bedroom, twobathroom units that include living room ceiling fans, a washer and dryer and living room areas on both the first and the second floors, with utilities included.

The Harrison

Starting rent: $429-$805 per resident

In-unit options: Two- and four-bedroom options with two bathrooms. The apartments are fully furnished and come with a private patio or balcony alongside an in-home washer and dryer.

Amenities: A pool, 24-hour fitness center and a coffee bar.

Location: 1.3 miles from the JMU Bookstore.

The Mill

Starting rent: $469 per resident

In-unit options: Furnished with four bedrooms and two bathrooms in each apartment. Cable TV is included, alongside washer and dryer.

Amenities: An outdoor recreation area that includes cornhole, a hammock park and grilling stations.

Location: 1.3 miles from the JMU Bookstore.

The Hills Northview

Starting rent: $459 per resident

In-unit options: Four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a balcony and in-unit laundry. These recently furnished units also include ceiling fans and walk-in closets.

Amenities: A 24-hour fitness center, a clubhouse with a study lounge equipped with computers as well as free printing, a coffee bar, gaming lounge, a basketball court and a pickleball court.

Location: Approximately one mile from the JMU Bookstore and directly on an HDPT route 6 bus stop.

North 38

Starting rent: $539-$659 per resident and an extra $45 for utilities/ amenities per resident

In-unit options: Three- to four-bedroom apartments that all come with private bathrooms and each unit has a patio or balcony. The rooms are fully furnished and include an in-home washer and dryer.

Amenities: If you opt for a “premium apartment option” for an additional $60, amenities include upgraded furniture, a new washer and dryer, new kitchen countertops, “upgraded” common area lights, a remote-controlled LED fan in the living room and a painted accent wall. The complex offers residents a 24-hour clubhouse, computer lounge, free printing, a volleyball court, fire pit with two grills, 24-hour fitness center, a mind and body room — which functions as a yoga and workout studio — and a pool with a hot tub.

Location: Roughly four miles from the JMU Bookstore and offers residents a private shuttle service straight to campus.

Amenities: The townhomes have a number of amenities for residents, including a fax/copy machine and picnic areas with grills alongside a clubhouse that has a fitness center, coffee bar, standup tanning booth, resident parking and a sundeck.

Location: Roughly 1 1/2 miles from the JMU Bookstore.

The Hills Southview

Starting rent: $580 per resident

In-unit options: Four-bed, four-bath units furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and a washer and dryer in each. Each bedroom includes a private bathroom and a full-size closet.

Amenities: A 24-hour fitness center, clubhouse, pool, a sand volleyball court, gaming lounge, computer cafe with high-speed internet and computers available to residents and an outdoor courtyard.

Location: 1.8 miles away from the JMU Bookstore.

Daria Ausen / The Breeze

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Pheasant Run Townhomes

Starting rent: $475 per resident

In-unit options: Four bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. Each unit is fully furnished and includes cable, ceiling fans, a washer and dryer, and an attached backyard patio.

Amenities: Shared basketball and beach volleyball courts and internet.

Location: Just under two miles from the JMU Bookstore and located on the yellow HDPT bus route.

Redpoint Harrisonburg (previously known as The Retreat)

Starting rent: $739 per resident

In- unit options: Furnished options between two to five bedrooms and 2 1/2 to five bathrooms, with in-house laundry and high-speed internet. These units include private bathrooms for each resident and an optional balcony for an extra $15.

Amenities: A 24-hour fitness center, a swimming pool and a community clubhouse for residents. For your academic needs, the complex also has private study spaces and a printing center.

Location: Roughly two miles from the JMU Bookstore.

Squire Hill Apartments

Starting rent: $625-$1,299 per resident

In-unit options: One-, two-, three- and four-bedroom options. Most apartments come fully furnished. The one-bedroom options do not have furnishings but do have available furniture rental packages included in the rent with a couch, two end tables, a coffee table, an accent chair, a TV stand, a full bed frame with a mattress, a four-drawer dresser, a desk with a desk chair and a nightstand. Each apartment is equipped with bedroom ceiling fans, a washer and dryer, balcony, cable and internet.

Amenities: A variety of 24-hour services, including a pool and hot tub, fitness center, study area, a clubhouse with Wi-Fi and free wireless printing and conference room equipped with a TV. Other amenities include a pavilion with a gas grill and a courtyard.

Location: One and a half miles away from the JMU Bookstore.

The Pointe

Starting rent: $585 per resident

In-unit options: Fully furnished with four bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms. Each bedroom includes a private bathroom and a full walk-in closet. The townhomes come with a full washer and dryer, a balcony, internet and cable.

Location: Roughly two miles from the JMU Bookstore and close to HDPT Route 1 bus stops by Copper Beech and Campus View.

Sunchase

Starting rent: $635 per resident

In-unit options: Furnished four-bedroom apartments with balconies and in-home washers and dryers.

Amenities: A clubhouse that includes a study lounge, computer lab and a printer for resident use. It also includes a fitness center, a waterfall pool with a tanning ledge, a jet tub, community grill and a dining area, stand-up tanning beds and a coffee/tea bar.

Location: About two miles from the JMU Bookstore, and on an HDPT Route 2 bus stop.

Daria Ausen / The Breeze

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

Eleanor Shaw contributed to this report.

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Social Media Speaks

If you live off campus, what year did you move?

64 votes

Sophomore

37 votes Junior

5 votes Senior

13 votes Stayed on

Top three places students live off campus:

Pheasant Run 10 votes

Campus View

5 votes

Arcadia 5 votes

Do you prefer living on or off campus? Students weigh in.

“OFF! Easier to unplug and get some actual rest, need to detach from campus”

http://www.breezejmu.org/newsletters/

“Yes, enjoyed having more responsibilities to prepare for real life and cheaper cost”

“On. More convenient (unless you’re partying).”

Advantages of meal-prepping for the off-campus college student

By MALLORY EVANS contributing writer

Most college students experience a 9-5 school routine, possibly including work and various extracurricular activities. On top of all this, they have to consider when and where to eat. This is made exponentially more difficult if they don’t have a meal plan or are out of dining punches for the week. A solution? Meal-prepping.

By dedicating only two or three hours on a Sunday to prepare for the week ahead, students may feel more confident and energetic to complete tasks knowing they don’t have to allocate cooking time during school days. Furthermore, people can exercise personal autonomy by selecting their favorite ingredients and recipes that are both delicious and nourishing.

Aside from beneficial time management, meal-prepping also often decreases food expenses. Eating out daily or purchasing pre-made meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner can become costly and can also negatively affect portion control. When recognizing the amount of food the body needs to feel satisfied during each meal, it’s much easier to determine portion sizes and thus reduce food waste.

There’s also the advantage of the nutritional value if meal-prepping is done mindfully. In email

1. Limit added sugars

2. Focus on food groups

3. Slow down to fuel up

correspondence on Tuesday, JMU dietetics professor Michelle Hesse offers three pieces of advice when striving to incorporate more nutritional strategies in a diet: limit added sugars, focus on food groups and slow down to fuel up.

“When planning a meal, make sure you include foods from at least three food groups, and when planning a snack, choose foods from at least two food groups,” Hesse said. “Focusing on the food groups will help ensure that you are consuming key nutrients to support your health!”

If struggling to find variety and flavor in meal-prepping, Hesse said she recommends reviewing MyPlate.gov, which provides example meals and shares specific benefits of each food group. She also mentioned the importance of intuitive eating, most notably when to start and stop each meal.

Fruits

nutrition tips

- At least half should be whole fruits

- Can be fresh, frozen, canned, dehydrated

Vegetables

- Vary your veggies for a variety of nutrients

- Can be raw or cooked

Grains

- Half of your grains should be whole grains

- Two subgroups: whole grains and refined grains

Protein

- Vary your protein routine

- Seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, seed and soy products

Dairy

- Go for low or fat free

- Does not include milk based food with high fat, low calcium

JMU dietetics professor Michelle Hesse said meal-prepping should mindfully incorporate nutritional strategies Breeze file photo

Graphics by Ben Moulse / The Breeze

Preparing food before the week starts can save students time as classes get busy. Thinking about nutrition while preparing meals is important, from food groups to preferences. Unsplash

of the longest-lived populations on the planet practice the 80/20 rule, which is to recognize and stop eating when you feel 80% full.”

Even though there are limited opportunities to prioritize healthy eating in a busy college schedule, students can try to work around obligations and meal prep when it’s most flexible for them. Hesse said she encourages people to find online recipes and make shopping lists, choose foods to put “on repeat,” and include some convenient items into meal planning.

“I like to search for recipes on Pinterest because I can save them to my favorites and add them to our family’s meal rotation. Finding it difficult to go shopping? Try ordering ahead from the grocery store,” Hesse said.

Planning ahead will allow students to triage tasks and better prioritize health and nutrition. This process doesn’t need to be complicated; everyone can tune in to their ingredient preferences and double dip on specific items for different plates.

“For example, whether you purchase a cooked rotisserie chicken from the store or roast your own chicken at home, you can use the chicken for multiple meals,” Hesse said. “Think chicken salad sandwiches, adding chicken to some pasta or a salad or adding to a low-sodium canned vegetable soup for an added protein boost.”

There are several resources both on and off campus to support students with independent cooking and nutritional

needs. Hesse said that although JMU could sometimes be more consistent in advertising these resources, they are easily accessible, affordable and advantageous to all students.

UREC cooking classes

At least 12 different classes are offered for free this semester on weekdays, where participants learn how to cook different types of foods; many are taught by JMU students pursuing careers in nutrition and dietetics.

The Pantry

Located in Taylor Down Under Room 112 in The Union, this food pantry provides groceries and nutritional resources to all students, no questions asked.

Additionally, keeping a meal planner or journal can be efficient and help students stay organized when knowing how many days to cook for and what types of meals to prepare. This can also increase food variety and make grocery shopping a more enjoyable experience.

Cooking should not be considered a chore, and by exercising cost-effective strategies, college students can feel fulfilled with their eating choices, even without relying on a dining hall or meal plan.

CONTACT Mallory Evans at evans4mr@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on Twitter and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

Unsplash

Unsplash

Planning meals in advance can help students eat nutritious food while having the attention and energy for school and work. When preparing meals, students should consider nutrition and variety as well as speed and convenience. MyPlate identifies five major food groups that can be targeted by many kinds of ingredients and recipes for any diet. Breeze file photo

Breeze file photo

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Opinion I Local eats with global flavors

By MATEO CSERNECKY The Breeze

Now that school is well in session, students living in Harrisonburg may be looking to go eat out in the Friendly City, maybe for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary dinner, a visiting friend or family member, or even just a fun night out with friends.

However, the Friendly City is a big place with many different dining options, and it may be hard for Dukes to determine which is the best spot. Fear not, as The Breeze has compiled a list of different restaurants for Dukes to check out, taking into account price, popularity and, of course, quality.

Cuban Burger

Located downtown, this Cuban American restaurant serves delicious burgers and many other Cuban foods. While it’s not the biggest restaurant in town, it’s certainly very popular and, as a result, wait times can vary greatly. The restaurant is definitely worth the wait since it’s on the more affordable side with a friendly staff and fairly quick service. If Dukes can make it in, they will enjoy great Cuban food and a wonderful atmosphere.

Clementine Cafe

If you’re looking for a larger and typically less crowded restaurant, Clementine Cafe is perfect. With live music often and a lively setting, the restaurant is a great place to enjoy dinner with family and take in entertainment as well. The restaurant, admittedly, is on the pricier side and is fairly popular in town with its downtown location on South Main Street. Clementine Cafe, however, makes up for these aspects in the quality of the food and speedy service, which I praise it highly for.

BoBoKo Indonesian Cafe

If you’re desiring something new, BoBoko Indonesian Cafe offers quality Indonesian food here in the Valley. Located on South Liberty Street, the restaurant serves good food with great service, although seating and reservations may be tough to obtain because of its small size. Additionally, the restaurant is on the pricey side; however, the taste makes up for it. Dukes should look to this restaurant as a way to experience some exotic, flavorful food without having to leave Harrisonburg.

Graphicsby Evan Moody/ TheBreeze

Jimmy Madison's

For those looking for Southern-style food, they can head to Jimmy Madison’s on South Main Street. Patrons can enjoy hushpuppies, chicken and pork sandwhiches, whiskey, etc. The restaurant has various good reviews on Yelp and Google, praising it for its quality and service. The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, but customers can be put on a waiting list while they explore the historical downtown area. The prices are affordable, which, along with the restaurant’s cozy interior and aforementioned quality food, all make Jimmy Madison’s a perfect dinner destination for Dukes.

Grilled Cheese Mania

Ranked the No. 1 restaurant in Harrisonburg according to Tripadvisor, Grilled Cheese Mania is a locally owned spot on South Main Street, albeit on the other side of campus as Jimmy Madison’s and Clementine Cafe. While the restaurant closes at 7 p.m., which some may consider early for a dinner restaurant, it offers a wide selection of signature grilled cheese sandwiches and soups. The restaurant also offers several options for vegetarians. The restaurant’s popularity may cause problems with wait times, but the authentic and savory quality of the sandwiches make up for this and make it worth the trip. The prices are also super affordable and save the hassle of having to pay for an expensive dinner. Grilled Cheese Mania serves as a great spot to eat and support a local Harrisonburg business while enjoying a staple unique to the Friendly City.

Vito's Italian Kitchen

While on the more fancy side, Vito’s Italian Kitchen offers a dining experience that allows customers to taste authentic Italian food while still in Harrisonburg. Located on Port Republic Road, the restaurant is on the pricey side; but it’s about what would be expected for a highend restaurant. The spot is beautifully decorated and serves as a comfy dinner spot with great reviews. The restaurant’s popularity may make it difficult for groups to get in, but the restaurant is one of the nicest in Harrisonburg and definitely is worth the visit if you can make it in.

All these restaurants promise a memorable dining experience for Dukes. Book early to explore these culinary gems and savor the flavors of Harrisonburg — as there is so much to offer.

CONTACT Mateo Csernecky at csernems@dukes.jmu.edu. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on Instagram and X @Breeze_Opinion.

Perspective: much awaits students beyond the jmu-downtown area

By EVAN WEAVER Breeze columnist

As a resident of Rockingham County for nearly all my life, it has been an interesting experience interacting with people who are just getting to know the area I have become so familiar with. Many students will spend just four years in the Harrisonburg area and, consequently, just scratch the surface of what the city and the surrounding communities have to offer.

Nature benefits

One of the benefits of attending JMU is its location in the Shenandoah Valley. The natural beauty of the surrounding mountains is hard to miss when walking on the east side of campus. Additionally, the Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah River have many recreational opportunities. Students should avoid spending all their time at JMU in the city of Harrisonburg and explore the nature surrounding it.

Harrisonburg’s proximity to Shenandoah National Park is a huge perk for JMU students, and they should take advantage of it when possible. However, there are other natural attractions that students should take the time to visit, including Natural Chimneys Regional Park in Augusta County — Rockingham’s southward neighbor — and its 120-foot-tall rock formations. Natural Chimneys Regional Park is also the host of the annual Red Wing Roots Festival every summer. Another popular spot is Reddish Knob, a 4,101-foot peak directly on Virginia’s border with West Virginia that has a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and, best of all, a road to the summit.

Food and entertainment

Harrisonburg and the surrounding areas also have a diverse selection of places to eat. When people talk about their favorite restaurants in Harrisonburg, popular downtown spots such as Jack Browns’, Bella Luna and Magpie Diner inevitably come up. While these restaurants are go-tos for a reason, JMU students shouldn’t limit themselves to them.

When you narrow down the options to Mexican, few restaurants typically remain: El Charro and Magnolia’s. These are respectable picks, but there are other good, often overlooked options. The most notable among them is La Morena. Though it’s outside of the JMUdowntown area, a visit is worth going out of the way for. A convenience store and restaurant wrapped into one, La Morena’s intimate dining area that features a full view of the open kitchen provides for a welcoming environment — and the food’s good, too.

For students who are feeling adventurous, a trip south outside of Harrisonburg will not disappoint. Of course places such as Massanutten Resort and Smiley’s Ice Cream — a business that needs no introduction among JMU students as it occasionally parks in the Warner Commons throughout the year — are popular. However, to only visit these places during your time at JMU would mean missing out on the numerous options for food and entertainment in the south end of Rockingham County

see BEYOND, page 16

Many students are drawn to JMU because of its location in the Shenandoah Valley but don’t check out sights such as Shenandoah National Park. Ryan Sauer / The Breeze

Downtown Harrisonburg is a hotspot for food, bars and attractions that appeal to JMU students — but the Shenandoah Valley has more to offer, including barbeque options such as Fat Boyz BBQ & More in Rockingham County. Breeze file photo

from BEYOND, page 15

Slightly closer to JMU, the towns of Bridgewater and Dayton feature more than just Bridgewater College and a significant Amish population. Bridgewater has an ice skating rink at Generations Park, and the Sipe Center theater is a great — and much cheaper — alternative to Regal Cinemas in Harrisonburg. Dayton, on the other hand, is home to yet another underappreciated restaurant-store combination, the Sunrise Market & Deli.

Let’s take it to my neck of the woods, Broadway — a small town in an area just north of Harrisonburg that for many years didn’t have much else beyond poultry plants. Even the high school mascot is a turkey. Recently, however, with the opening of a second Beards & Broads location and Fat Boyz BBQ & More, Broadway is making a case for why JMU students should venture out to the north side of Rockingham County.

Fat Boyz BBQ & More started as a joke, owner Richard Turner said. After catering for his sister’s wedding and receiving

other catering inquiries after that, he started his own food trailer. Fast forward five years, and Fat Boyz now has its own brick-and-mortar location in Broadway that opened in August. In spite of not being the first barbeque joint to be in that location, Turner was optimistic about his restaurant’s chances.

“This is the third barbecue restaurant to be in here, so we’re hoping third time’s the charm,” Turner said.

Turner discussed what he believes sets Fat Boyz apart from previous barbecue restaurants. Specifically, he mentioned Fat Boyz’s old-school approach — the majority of what Fat Boyz serves is homemade, Turner said, and he uses hickory and oak wood to barbecue all of the meat.

“We try to keep the homemade, backyard barbecue feel,” he said.

Fat Boyz also has live music every Friday night — what the restaurant calls “Barbecue and Tunes on Main.” Turner said these events have been successful so far, and that the restaurant is hoping to have its ABC license by the beginning of the next year to attract more people.

Turner also acknowledged that while there are some restaurants in Harrisonburg

that have pulled pork or brisket, there are no true barbecue restaurants in Harrisonburg. This, he said he believes, is a reason why JMU students should venture out beyond the city limits and visit his restaurant.

Turner hopes to open a second location in Harrisonburg in a year. Until then, he said he believes his barbecue is worth the roughly 20-minute drive to Broadway for JMU students.

“Come give us a try if you’d like to,” Turner said. “The town of Broadway is small, but they have got a lot to offer.”

During your four years at JMU, there are only so many times you can go to the same restaurants and entertainment options over again. Students should branch out and explore areas beyond the JMU-downtown area if they want to get the most out of their time at school and give back to the communities that have welcomed them during their stay.

CONTACT senior English major Evan Weaver at breezeopinion@gmail.com. For more editorials regarding the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the opinion desk on Instagram and X @Breeze_Opinion.

LEFT: During their time at JMU, students are able to live in and be positive members of the Harrisonburg community. But in addition to city spots and attractions, students should try to see the surrounding local area. Photos

TOP: The weekly farmer’s market in downtown Harrisonburg is a popular destination, but there are more places outside of the city students can explore. BOTTOM: Much of the produce available at Harrisonburg farmers markets is local to the Shenandoah Valley, an area that has sights unknown to many JMU newcomers, such as Natural Chimneys Regional Park.

by Abi Middleton / The Breeze

Guide: How to decorate your apartment, from your computer

By K. MAUSER The Breeze

Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, having a decorated room can be the key to a clear mind. Although decorating your room or apartment can feel overwhelming, there are a few websites that may help you find the style you’re looking for.

First and foremost, it’s important to pick the style of your living space. Do you want your kitchen to be light or retro? Do you want your living room to be vintage or modern? Your room to match your bathroom? Without a distinct image in mind of the apartment, it’s hard to pick a style.

Pinterest: Find your style

My suggestion for choosing a style is to create a board on Pinterest, an app and website where you can compile pictures together, for what you’d like your bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom to look like. By selecting a handful of images that match the aesthetic you’re looking for, it’ll be easier to find places to shop.

Creating a Pinterest account is free and only takes about five minutes. After you’ve created your account and made a board, it’s now time to buy your decorations.

Dormify: Match any vibe

I’ve personally found that a great place to get decorating supplies is Dormify. Even if you don’t live in a freshman residence hall, the website has a plethora of age-appropriate bedding, pillows, headboards, posters, rugs and even storage bags for any apartment.

I’ve found that Dormify is definitely more for people with a modern style, but there are also many options for people who want a more vintage style. Dormify has a section for wall prints where you can find hundreds of pieces of art to match any style for your apartment, from modern to minimalist to boho.

Dormify also has a section for neon signs, which I think is a really cool addition to any room. They come in many sizes, shapes and colors — and you can even customize your own neon sign with your name, star sign or anything else that describes you.

The only catch with these signs is that they often range from $60-$300. If this is out of your price range, I’d also consider looking on Amazon for your other decor needs.

Amazon: 'Everything you could possibly need'

Amazon is one of the best — and most affordable — places to buy apartment decorations from. It has virtually every style you’d need, and there’s even a separate section for living decorations

The online shopping giant, Amazon, has a section on its website dedicated to home decorations and furniture called Amazon Home that features glassware, office supplies and home-improvement items. Photos by Tribune News Service

called Amazon Home.

Amazon is also a good option to get things such as glassware, office supplies and home improvement items. If you plan to do all of your shopping in one place, it’s a great website to find everything you could possibly need.

Although Amazon is a great place to get your apartment decorations, I’ve found the decor can sometimes feel too mature for me. Many older adults use Amazon for their home decorations, and it’s often hard to find some for young adults. If you feel too old for Dormify and too young for Amazon, Target might be the place for you.

Target: Easy online or in-store

One of the most recognizable brands in home decor, Target is always an option because the prices are reasonable, you can shop online or in person, and there are plenty of choices for people who are looking to start decorating their apartment. The best part , if you’re shopping in the Harrisonburg Target, is there’s a Starbucks inside.

Target makes it really easy to shop for home decor by separating the items online into categories. Household Essentials, Kitchen & Dining and Home are the categories where most apartment decorations would be housed. Target, unlike other stores, also has a rewards program called Target Circle where you can earn 1% store credit for each purchase.

Target can be a great place to shop for decorations; however, the style is often minimalististic. If you’re looking for something a little more distinctive, Target probably isn’t for you. In terms of uniqueness, there are plenty of local stores in the area where you can buy apartment decorations for cheap.

Local thrift stores: Variety on a budget

Shopping on a budget? No worries — Harrisonburg and the surrounding area has tons of thrift stores that offer items such as furniture, wall decorations and even kitchen essentials.

My personal favorite in the area is the Mercy House Thrift Store, located off South High Street. Not only does Mercy House offer a wide variety of items in many styles but profits from the store directly benefit families who are experiencing homelessness.

Another great option for decorating your apartment is to visit any of the two Goodwill stores in Harrisonburg: One is on South Main Street, and the other is on East Market Street. Each sells furniture, wall decorations, rugs, and other odds and ends for your apartment. If you don’t find what you’re looking for at one Goodwill, the other one is only a few miles away.

A final option is the Central Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which sells new and gently used furniture, housewares, appliances, building and remodeling materials, and other reclaimed items. It’s located off South Main Street and is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Whether you’re shopping for a whole new room or just items to spice it up, it’s important to remember that your room defines your mindset. If you don’t take the time to decorate your apartment, you’re setting a precedent for how the rest of your year is going to go. So, make that Pinterest board, find your style and get shopping!

CONTACT K. Mauser at mauserkk@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

Target offers customers both online and in-person shopping, with products on the website separated into categories. The Household Essentials, Kitchen & Dining and Home categories are where most of the apartment decorations can be found.