Housing Special Issue

Page 1

WHAT’S INSIDE CONSTRUCTION

housing 2019

published by The

See what’s happening in student housing construction

page 2

Auburn Plainsman

OFF-CAMPUS

The Avenue adds to the list of different housing options off campus page 4

PETS

ESA helps student deal with stresses on campus

page 6

HEALTH

RA gives advice to students to get ahead of the seasonal flu page 11 COLUMN

Hot tubs: an underrated neccesity of apartments

CAMERON BRASHER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

page 11


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The Auburn Plainsman: Housing

January 24, 2019

CONSTRUCTION

New off-campus apartments near completion, in the works By EDUARDO MEDINA and OLIVIA WILKES Enterprise Editor and Videographer

Construction continues in the loveliest village. Here’s an update on the apartment complexes closest to being complete. At 191 College, a downtown Auburn apartment complex currently under construction, around 470 students will have a room for fall 2019. Leasing assistant Cam Humphrey said 191 College residents will pay anywhere from $529–$1,209 a month depending on the floor plan. “We have everything from a one bedroom, we have two bedrooms and then we have four bedrooms,” Humphrey said. The seven-story complex located at 152 N. College St. is around 80 percent pre-leased for next year. The new apartment complex is approximately 65 percent complete, said Gina Cowart, cice president of branding, marketing and communications strategy for American Campus Communities, which owns and manages 191 College and 160 Ross. Humphrey said the seven-story apartment complex is scheduled to be finished in June 2019 with the move-in date for residents set for Aug. 14, 2019. “Once all of the construction is finished … we’ll be able to go ahead and put the furniture and stuff in there accordingly in every unit,” Humphrey said. “It’s going really smoothly.” At The Standard, located on the corner of West Glenn Avenue and Gay Street, construction is almost done. Sales and marketing manager for The Standard, Alison Waters, previously told The Plainsman construction of the apartment complex is going well. Waters said the apartment complex should be ready to house students come fall 2019. The Standard will have 219 units and over 600 beds. It should be able to house 683 residents at max capacity. The various types of living spaces planned include five bedroom apartments and studio apartments, all ranging from 395 square feet to 1,907 square feet. 191 College and The Standard aren’t the only new highright apartments in town. Another, Uncommon Auburn, is already under construction. At a cost of $54 million, that one will be a 75-foot, 609bed, 10-level mixed-use complex on Glenn Avenue with room for retail. It’s set to open up in 2020.

CAMERON BRASHER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Construction on Glenn on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2019 in Auburn, Ala.


January 24, 2019

The Auburn Plainsman: Housing

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191 College vs. The Standard

Comparing Auburn’s newest high-rises available for students By TIM NAIL Community Writer

The student population at Auburn is growing every year, but two new high-rise apartment complexes opening in the fall aim to remedy the issue of limited student housing that comes with a growing student populace. The Standard and 191 College, located on East Glenn Avenue and North College Street respectively, are set to finish undergoing construction in the summer and are opening to their first waves of residents in early August. 191 College boasts its 2,400-square-foot gym, a rooftop pool and an additional 2,400-squarefoot academic success center as its most noteworthy features. The gym aims to offer a variety of exercise bikes, treadmills, ellipticals and a host of weight lifting equipment, all of which will be free for use to residents. The pool area will also include a hot tub, fire pit, cooking grills, in-pool

seating and a jumbotron for social gatherings. Scheduled events such as meet-and-greet socials, movie showings, burger nights and football game viewings are among some of the gatherings the apartment building has on its agenda. It plans to throw one to two a month and is seeking community assistants from its group of upcoming tenants to help organize and handle them. Bishop Robbins, a leasing agent for 191 College, highlighted the management’s intentions to focus on student experience as what he feels will set it apart from other housing options in Auburn. “We’re close to campus but we’re also close together,” he said. “We stay together; we help each other. That’s the goal of the community events: to always reach for help, to always be able to study, to go home and relax and know you can focus on your academics.” As such, the complex’s study space will be open all hours of the day and provide five study rooms

and two booths for students to reserve. Other aspects of the center that management hopes will support schoolwork are its on-hand iMac computers, smart TVs for casting displays from other devices, whiteboards with markers and erasers and free printing options. 191 College offers single-year leases beginning on Aug. 14, 2019 and lasting until Jul. 31, 2020 at noon. Those with business in town before regular move-in day can also opt for an early movein on Aug. 1. Depending on the floor plan selected, monthly rent ranges from $529 to $1,209 per person, though according to Robbins, hired employees in roles such as community assistant are eligible for discounts on these costs. All utilities barring electricity are provided, with power charging an extra $100 in each unit. 191 College has elected to completely cover the initial month’s electric expenses for all units. Other entry fees are a $200 security deposit returned at the end of a lease (with any incurred damage

costs subtracted from the original amount), $75 and $50 application and processing fees for background checks and a $30 parking fee for tenants with vehicles. The Standard bills itself as student housing that emphasizes “refined student living.” Offering its own rooftop study lounge and pool as well as a fitness facility, the complex will be competing with 191 College in this regard with two additional heated spas alongside the pool, Matrix-branded exercise equipment, a tire-flipping station within the gym and self-serve Starbucks machines to give students a boost while working on assignments. Its standout amenities making it distinctive from other apartment choices will include a sauna with free tanning services in addition to retail outlets located on the first floor. It’s unconfirmed what stores will occupy these spaces at the mo-

» See HIGH-RISES, 8

JOSHUA FISHER / PHOTOGRAPHER

The Standard at Auburn on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Auburn Ala.


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The Auburn Plainsman: Housing

January 24, 2019

OFF-CAMPUS

CONTRIBUTED BY JASMINE THWEATT

The Avenue brings neighborhood living to students By OLIVIA WILKES Videographer

The Avenue, opening fall 2019, will offer a cottage-style living community for students looking for a homier type of student housing. Like its sister property, The Boulevard, The Avenue is composed of individual houses with anywhere from two to five bedrooms each. Assistant Property Manager Jasmine Thweatt said a cottage style community offers a quieter, more individualized community setting than typical apartment complexes, as well as some outdoor space.

“The Avenue will offer a more friendly neighborhood environment with walking paths, green spaces, a community pool and a fitness center,” Thweatt said. The Avenue community will be composed of 22 cottages, or stand-alone houses, and 21 manor houses, which are duplexes or triplexes. “Most people just have apartment-style settings that have been lived in for… lots of years,” Thweatt said. “So these are new and they just have that new appeal and they look more like a house rather than you’re just walking into an apartment setting.” Unit floor plans range from two- to five-bedroom layouts, with rent from $785 to $800. The community consists of 102

units in all, with 329 available beds. Unit features include wood floors, 9-foot ceilings and pendant lighting. “We also have some of the biggest porches and balconies in Auburn!” Thweatt said. The Avenue is planning to schedule various food trucks at some point for resident events. Construction on The Avenue started last fall. The houses will be move-in ready Aug. 15. “We’ve got a number of houses already standing and they’re building more everyday,” Thweatt said. The Avenue is currently 70 percent preleased.

On- and off-campus options when on a smaller budget By HANNAH LESTER Campus Writer

For students deciding to live either on or off campus, pricing is a major contributing factor to the decision. Pricing encompasses not only the monthly bill but also whether the living space is already furnished, if electric and water is included and whether it has cable. Off-campus versus on-campus housing is a debate each student must face when they come to Auburn and in subsequent years. For off-campus housing there are numerous options but a few include The Hub, The Connection and The Garden

District. For a furnished four-bedroom apartment in The Hub, students can expect to pay $524 a month. An unfurnished Hub apartment will cost a student $484 a month. For a Hub resident, cable, internet, trash and water are included in this monthly price. Because the Hub is not within walking distance, transit transportation is provided. The Connection is now offering renovated apartments versus non-renovated apartments. The renovated units include updated counters, flooring and amenities such as an included TV. For a non renovat-

ed four-bedroom unit students can expect a monthly $480 bill while a renovated four bedroom unit runs around $535. Internet, cable and water are included in the monthly bill in addition to transit transportation. At the Garden District, students can have a maximum of three bedroom rentals. Water, cable and internet are included in a student’s monthly bill while furniture is included at an extra cost. For the three bedroom unit, students pay $475 per bedroom a month. The Garden District includes transit transportation as well as a cafe on site. On-campus housing has several options for students, some larger and more spa-

cious than others. Two of the less pricey options, however, are The Hill and The Quad. For a single room in The Hill, students can expect a $3,830 charge per semester which equals out to roughly $766 a month. A double room would cost a student $612 a month at a total cost of $3060. A double room at The Quad averages a student $724 a month for a total of $3620 while a single room averages $888 a month for a total of $4440. While these options are more expensive than living off campus, a student has the convenience of being located on campus and nearer to classes.


January 24, 2019

The Auburn Plainsman: Housing

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beach-inspired living coming to Midtown Auburn By LAINEY MORRIS Lifestyle Writer

As the days go by, student housing off campus fills up more and more and leaves many students without a place to live; however, a new addition to the collection of residences in Auburn opens in August or September of this year. However, this new 30A-inspired community managed by 360 Management isn’t just housing. Midtown Auburn, designed by architect Allison Ramsey, is also comprised of different boutiques, a bakery, a coffee shop, a nail salon, food trucks, a restaurant owned by The Hound owners and much more. Located on Opelika Road across from Niffer’s, it has more than 100 beds and different floor plans that range from one to four-bedroom units, with prices from $665 to $920 per bedroom, per month. Houses as well as apartments are available, which are located above the retail units, both of which are rental only. If the location is a concern, there is no need to worry. A

private shuttle is provided to take students to and from campus, as well a loop located at the entrance of Midtown for Lyft and Uber drivers. Midtown also comes with a string of amenities, including flat screen TVs, Bluetooth locks on the front doors, a pool, a clubhouse, on-site maintenance and a fitness center. There will be many entertainment opportunities for all ages for both the public and entertainers looking to put their name out there. Although utilities aren’t included in rent, each lease lasts a whole year, and there are no condo association fees. In addition, each unit is pet-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about leaving furry best friends behind at home. There is also ample parking outside of every unit and plenty of spaces for visitors. Connecting half of the residential area to Main Street is a pedestrian sidewalk, putting residents within walking distance of the central hub for the various different retail shops and restaurants. Midtown Auburn aims to serve a variety of residents. They

offer a special community that provides an escape from dorm life and the traditional student living community. Leasing is now open, and information and applications can be found on the new development’s website.

DUBRAY MCNEAL | PHOTOGRAPHER

Leasing center now open. 152 N College St

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The Auburn Plainsman: Housing

January 24, 2019

ON-CAMPUS

Student shares experience with ESA in dorms By STEPHEN LANZI Campus Editor

Living with an animal in the dorms is not allowed, until it is. Auburn University Housing has strict rules against owning a pet while living on campus, but when a student feels as though an emotional-support animal would benefit his or her mental health, Housing and the Office of Accessibility are there to help. From as small as a fish to as large as a miniature pony, Auburn is flexible when accommodating the individual needs of its students. Scamp, a small and playful grey and black kitten, was exactly what Joslyn Berg, junior in business analytics and management, was looking for to combat a bit of loneliness. Berg, a resident assistant in the

Upper Quad, does not have roommates because of her position, so she found herself lacking some of the kinship that a roommate would provide. She didn’t lack a social life, and she has always had strong relationships with the residents in her building, but there was still a void that she started to notice developing. She wanted to have someone that was always around but didn’t have the relationship aspect of having authority over them. “I realized pretty quickly I was getting miserable on that level,” Berg said. “So I decided to talk to my parents and other people to try to figure out like what are solutions for this that I could reach out for because I still loved my job. I didn’t want to quit. It was a situation where I loved everything about it. I

SCHOOL IS EXPENSIVE.

GOLF SHOULDN’T BE.

just hate being alone.” After talking with the people in her life, the solution became clear for Berg, who grew up in a family that always had pets. And the process of getting the ESA was easier than she had expected. The most common hurdle to overcome in the application process is discussing and getting consent from any roommates the student might have, but since Berg lives by herself as an RA, she didn’t have to worry about it. The process starts with the Office of Accessibility, where the student has to explain how the accommodation of living with an ESA will be beneficial to the student. The office requires that a student must obtain a form of official documentation from a professional that explains the need for an ESA. Berg said she’s never heard of anyone getting turned down by the Office of Accessibility. She said everything she has heard about the of-

fice has been positive, always working to assist in meeting the needs of students, whether it’s with academics or with housing. The student must also provide vet records, and the details of the arrangement have to be worked out. Then, the student has to fill out paperwork with Housing to take responsibility for care of the animal and for any damage to the property the animal might cause. Generally, most animals, within reason, are accepted, and the student gets to choose. The process is kept extremely confidential for the student. The resident assistant in the building is notified as well as any roommate. Maintenance is notified when they must go to the room. “It was a really straightforward process, and I’ve really benefited from it,” Berg said. Housing reserves the right to remove the animal if it is not being neglected or if it is causing excessive

damage. “They do look after the animal in that respect, you can’t just go into your room and expect everything to be kosher,” Berg said. “There’s more to it than that, but they really do work with you.” Almost all the required forms can be found on the Office of Accessibility’s website. Berg has been living with Scamp for about five months, and she has absolutely loved it – little to no damage, polite and, ultimately, a much-needed companion. “I have friends,” she said with a laugh. “I’m fine. It’s not like I don’t have that social life. But I’ve grown up with siblings all my life, so it was strange not coming home to sisters, and that transition to college was a little difficult for me – not coming home to something that lives with you and you can goof around with, play with and talk to and just have fun with. And my little cat has done a good job.”

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Scamp is a licensed emotional-support animal that lives in Auburn, Ala.


January 24, 2019

The Auburn Plainsman: Housing 7


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HIGH-RISES » From 3

ment, though Target and Starbucks are present at other Landmark Properties complexes, which owns and operates The Standard. Management-led functions are also in the pipeline at the complex, under the defined categories of philanthropy, academic, wellness and social purposes. Possible options might consist of chair massages and study break kits given during finals weeks, grocery bingo and pool parties. Alison Waters, sales and marketing manager in the complex’s head offices, feels the potential social atmosphere created from these will be its No. 1 factor differentiating it from competitors. “Landmark Properties [has] about 50 properties across the country,” she said. “We’ve been doing this for a while now and each year we’ve grown and learned what the college student likes and needs to thrive as a student but also the social life.”

The Auburn Plainsman: Housing Events will be run by three managers and five community ambassadors except for in the case of larger-scale affairs where special staff such as caterers and DJs might be enlisted. Two to three events are estimated to happen each month. “We really are involved with our residents,” Waters said. “At my old property, I recognized everyone’s names and we had 600 residents. We like to have fun but also be respectful to the property.” The Standard has year-long leases available starting Aug. 10, 2019 and ending Jul. 25, 2020, by which time tenants either maintain living in the same unit and pay rent on a month-by-month basis or leave after their lease is terminated. Renewal season for deciding between these choices is targeted for a date in October. Monthly rent prices vary from $800 per person to $1250 per person, with a total of 16 floor plans on hand. Units are all-inclusive when it comes to utilities, but tenants will have to pay for power and parking if applicable. Pets are allowed in all apartments, which Waters acknowledged is uncommon with downtown studio housing and considers it one of the complex’s advantages. However, those think-

January 24, 2019 ing of having a dog or cat must pay a $300 refundable deposit plus a $25 recurring pet rent cost. A $100 security deposit is also required but returned if no damage to an apartment occurs. Construction on The Standard will be finished in July, after which time the complex will convene with the City of Auburn to discuss ordinances and policies. In the meantime, its management stated hard-hat-construction tours will take place in March for registered leaseholders to get a better idea of the final product if they choose. Each complex’s apartments are fully furnished, with complete kitchens stocked with appliances as well as washers and dryers. Hardwood flooring features in all floor plans, as well as leather sofas and other furniture. The Standard said it also has premium plans up for grabs which provide TVs in all bedrooms and a pool table in the living room. Both offices stressed that their numbers of open leases for fall 2019 are closing in fast and are urging anyone considering them to act soon. At the time of writing, 191 College has two to three full styles remaining while The Standard has just a few studio and premium styles left.

JOSHUA FISHER / PHOTOGRAPHER

191 College on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Auburn Ala.


January 24, 2019

The Auburn Plainsman: Housing

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keep stress low in tight living spaces

By HANNAH LESTER

TALK

Campus Writer

When my roommates and I moved in together a year and a half ago, I don’t think any of us were quite prepared to squish all of our stuff into a tiny apartment. I was moving from a much larger, two-story apartment with one roommate into a smaller, shared space for three. Not only that, but we failed to coordinate properly and ended up with a lot more items in the apartment than were necessary, such as three sets of dishes. Living with roommates is hard enough, but when you have too much stuff, it can become unbearable. Here are a few ways to make it easier:

I cannot stress this enough. Talk to your roommates. This is even more important if you don’t know each other beforehand. My roommates and I knew each other before and were actually close friends. But, we still had issues coordinating everything we would be bringing moving in. Make sure you don’t have three sets of utensils, three coffee makers and two large rugs when you move in, which leads me into my next point. SIMPLIFY Surely by now you’ve heard of the wildly popular new Netflix show, Tidying Up.

The popularity of the Japanese tidying method has become a staple for many as they thank their possessions and give them up. Whatever works for you — simplify your life and reduce the amount of things you own. Don’t bring into your tiny space more than can fit. This is unfair to your roommates and yourself. With less clutter, you’ll be able to focus more and live simpler. Your anxiety can go down, and your grades could improve. There are a lot of benefits to living with less junk. COMPROMISE If you don’t live by yourself, you are

sharing a small space with anywhere from one to four other people. Your needs are not the only ones that matter. It can be difficult to get along but when you’re willing to compromise, it makes things easier. If your roommate wants to keep the rug she brought and doesn’t like yours, pick your battles. Overall, living in a tiny space with roommates can be a hassle, but it can also bring you some of the best memories of your life. Being able to knock on my best friends’ doors whenever I want is such a blessing. Having my roommates around to watch Netflix with or even just head out for impromptu Chick-fil-A with has made sharing a small space more than worth it.


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The Auburn Plainsman: Housing

January 24, 2019

The enviromental effects of housing construction in Auburn By CARMEN MCCRAKIN Lifestyle Writer With 30,400 students enrolled during the fall 2018 semester at Auburn University, and on-campus housing having only a capacity of 4,725 undergraduate students as presented in the 2018 Student Housing Analysis done by Danter and Associates, LLC., new off-campus student housing construction may have some rising concerns with sustainability. “LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an independent building standard where building can be measured certified by a whole range of metrics about their sustainability performance,” said Office of Sustainability Director Mike Kensler. “Auburn University has committed itself to building only LEED-certified buildings, but I have not heard of any of these new buildings being built to LEED-certified standards.” Newly constructed or planned apartment buildings include 191 College, The Stan-

dard, The Union, Twin Cities and Uncommon Auburn. Depending on how these new buildings are constructed, Kensler said it would determine if they were more or less sustainable. What paint is being used for these buildings, how well insulated are their heating and air systems and what material is being used to create and decorate the buildings are all questions to factor in concerning sustainability, Kensler said. New student housing development can lead itself to some environmental issues. “I know that when development happens they have to take out trees, but the habit of just clear-cutting trees, even perhaps things that don’t need to be taken out, any tree we cut we are only adding to the problem of global warming,” Kensler said. This developmental process of clearing trees is not just happening in Auburn but worldwide. Kensler said that the world has lost so many forests, and there needs to be replanting of

many trees. The loss of trees has an impact on water quality and air quality, Kensler went on to say. Sustainability is not just linked with the environment, however. “I think many people equate sustainability with just being eco-friendly,” said Office of Sustainability intern Katy Duncan. “It really means you are sustaining a life in a healthy and beneficial way to you and everyone around both presently and in the future.” Auburn University’s Office of Sustainability has the “Sustainability Compass,” which is a graphical representation of the different aspects of sustainability at each cardinal direction. “North stands for nature, or living with accordance with nature,” Duncan said. “East is for economy, or making sure every person in the community has a right to a fair and equitable opportunity within your economy. South is for society, and West is for the well-being, or making sure that you are living in a way that you can sustain.”

With undergraduate enrollment increasing by 19.4 percent and graduate enrollment increasing by 10 percent, that leaves 25,715 students to search for alternative housing options. “We go through cycles of society moving to and from cities, and right now we are in a upswing of people moving to cities,” said Duncan. Cities are having to rapidly compensate for that. The same thing is happening with Auburn. Other housing options for Auburn students include, but are not limited to, 32 on-campus residence halls, 23 fraternity houses capable of housing 1,800 students, 19 sororities within the residence halls, apartments, duplexes and single-family homes as presented in the 2018 Student Housing Analysis done by Danter and Associates, LLC. “I know many people in the city who are committed to sustainable management of watersheds for example, but it’s up to the city to decide what type of development will be allowed and where,” Kensler said.

PHOTO BY IMAT BAGJA GUMILAR ON UNSPLASH


January 24, 2019

The Auburn Plainsman: Housing 11

HEALTH

RA gives advice for flu season in the dorms By LAUREN PIEPER Lifestyle Writer

Alabama is facing a highly contagious strain of the flu right now, and students are becoming more and more affected, especially if they are in close quarters with someone who is infected. Sydney Ross, sophomore in mechanical engineering, is the resident assistant for Dowdell Hall in Auburn’s Quad dorms. She works firsthand with these kinds of issues and has advice on how students can be aware and sanitary this flu season while living in such a small space. It is no secret that getting sick is like a domino effect for those around the person. “Roommates are for sure likely to get each other sick, and suite-mates are, too,” Ross said. These shared spaces are highly crucial in the spread of illnesses, so they have to be cleaned properly.

“Keep all shared surfaces disinfected,” Ross said. “The sink, the shower and doorknobs are a good place to start.” Having the right cleaning supplies and knowing how to use them is another thing Ross thinks is very important for residents. “Definitely keep Lysol or Clorox wipes on hand,” she said. “They’re an easy way to disinfect a lot of surfaces. I would advise that residents not mix cleaning supplies. Some combinations of bleach and ammonia, both found in household cleaners, will create toxic fumes.” It may come naturally for some on how to clean a bathroom, but how to disinfect a bedroom might seem more challenging because, typically, it is not good to have harsh chemicals near one’s face. “We tend to disinfect and bleach the bathroom, but you typically just straighten and sweep your bedroom,” she said. “I’m not saying residents should go bleach the walls of their room, but you can easily take a Lysol wipe and clean your desk and drawer handles.

The same goes for the bathroom. You vacuum and sweep your bedroom, so throw the bath mat and shower curtain in the washing machine. Keeps everything clean, and it’s also really nice to have fluffy bath mats.” Inevitably, when a roommate gets sick, it’s highly challenging to avoid them and the germs, especially in The Hill, The Quad and Cambridge dorms. Ross advised to spend as little time in the room as possible in this situation. “This can be difficult when sleeping, but if you usually study in your room try studying in the library or the student center,” she said. “Open the windows to let fresh air and sunlight in during the day to kill germs and keep air moving through the room. Disinfect what surfaces you can, and make sure you aren’t sharing any food or drink.” Aside from cleaning, Ross said it is the resident’s personal responsibility to keep their belongings clean and personal hygiene good. “People typically don’t think about dis-

n m u l co the importance of a good hot tub By JACK WEST Community Writer

Bailey O’Sullivan is “borderline addicted to hot tubs.” “I think [hot tubs] are an underused resource,” O’Sullivan, an Auburn resident, said. “I used the hot tub here about every day for the two weeks leading up to exams.” As many Auburn students have begun to look for housing for next year, many would benefit from following O’Sullivan’s lead. The whole ordeal of apartment shopping is stressful, and you, dear student, have undertaken the entire thing while trying to maintain your GPA. You have already made a full-page, double-spaced, color-coded list of features you want in this new apartment, but you should consider adding a hot tub to that list. Find one of those balmy, bub-

ble-based body basins so you can delicately dip your drowsy digits in and soak all the pain away. “I’ll hit the hot tub almost as a ritual now,” O’Sullivan said. “Once I hit it enough days in a row, it’s almost like I am anticipating it the rest of the day like, ‘I can’t wait to hit the hot tub later.’” Is it the night before that big exam? Hot tub. Did that hot person you’ve been seeing for a month break up with you? Hot tub. Is it the night after you failed that big exam? Hot tub. “We don’t usually show off the hot tub,” said Bria Davis, an employee at one of the apartment complexes in Auburn. “It’s just something that’s like, ‘hey, it’s back there.’” It is important to note that not all hot tubs are made equally. Some are large, some are small, some are deep and some are shallow; this is irrelevant. You’re looking for temperature and

bubblage. On your next tour, don’t be content to just look at the hot tub. Peel off that sock and dip a toe in. Feel the water. If it’s not warm, don’t even finish the tour. Leave. Go and spend your time somewhere else. If the temperature is OK, check the bubblage. Find the little box with that special little dial and crank it. If nothing happens, leave. This place is not worth your time. Without a working bubble pump, this hot tub is nothing more than a polluted pool of people’s germs. Once you find the apartment with that perfect hot tub, sign a lease within the hour. This is not something to dilly dally about. You do not want to lose this fully hypnotic, semi-aquatic, lack-of-action satisfaction.

infecting their phone or laptop,” she said. “Those are items we touch and use constantly, so they’re always covered in germs. Light switches and elevator buttons are another big problem, especially since those are surfaces that lots of residents touch.” Ross also thinks it is important for residents to eat healthy, sleep well, stay hydrated and get the appropriate vaccines to keep themselves healthy and combat potential sicknesses, like the flu.

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