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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013
Fall 2013
The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Table of Contents
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Pros and cons of living off campus Are the hills worth the headache?
Pros and cons of living alone What to watch for when rooming solo
Photo Essay
WELCOME! Thanks for picking up the Fall 2013 Housing Guide! The advertising representatives at The Daily Beacon have workewd with apartments as well as leasing agencies in Knoxville to bring you this issue. Our main goal is to ensure that University of Tennessee students receive all of the information they need to know before searching for their next home. You will find advice on decorating, locations surrounding campus, important numbers to know, questions to ask future landlords, as well as other important tips. We believe with this issue, we will not only benefit the apartments and leasing agencies, but also more importantly, the students. We hope that this guide will be an important resource to you.
See where the student body calls home around Knoxville
Fort Sanders
Sookie Park Advertising Manager
Where will you be when the zombies attack?
10 Things to Know The important questions to ask your future landlord HOUSING GUIDE • FALL 2013
Roommate Selection The many facets of roommatehood
ADVERTISING MANAGER Sookie Park EDITOR-IN-CHIEF R.J. Vogt CHIEF COPY EDITOR Gage Arnold
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Living in Religious Housing Community and convenience bundled into one
FRONT PAGE DESIGNER Dillon Canfield
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katrina Roberts MEDIA SALES REPRESENTATIVES Lauren Gregg • Ryan McPherson Alley Wilcox ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Jamie Reed
The Daily Beacon is an editorially independent student newspaper at The University of Tennessee. The office is located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. Callers with questions about advertising should call 865-974-5206. Editorial questions should be directed to 865-974-3226.
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013
Res Life: Looking at the perks and drawbacks of campus living Samantha Smoak Online Editor
Choosing where to live during your college years can be an overwhelming task, with so many on- and off-campus options. A rushed decision made under pressure at the end of my first semester lead to a tremulous second year on campus. As you start thinking about where you want to spend the next school year, here are some things to think about to help your decision.
Pro: Escape the bustle If you live off campus, you can really get away from school and the stresses that come with it. Whereas if you’re on campus, you never really can escape the hustle and bustle of everything happening. College dorms are also always “on.” There’s a constant rustle, the
hallway lights are always illuminated and there are always people coming in and out. Quiet hours in a dorm can be a joke. Even if you don’t have roommates, noise pollution is a problem.
Con: Campus disconnect It’s harder to stay connected and attend campus events when you’re required to commute. When I moved off-campus, I was already involved in student activities, and I felt connected to campus. As an off-campus student, you have to put forth the effort to seek out activities, since they won’t be just down the hall or across the street anymore.
Pro: More freedom, flexibility If you enjoy ambiance as you’re falling asleep, no one says can’t have candles in your room. Off-campus living opens up a host of decorating, layout
and lease length options that aren’t available on campus. You can choose to have one, two or more roommates, if you want to share a room or bathroom or have your own. You have more freedom to decorate your home away from home. Finally, you’ll be able to hang up your favorite pictures without the fear of damage fees.
Con: Lack of community College residence halls work towards fostering a community among residents. Regularly scheduled floor activities and midnight breakfasts aren’t a part of offcampus life. You also probably won’t have the benefit of walking down the hall in your pajamas and bunny slippers to knock on your friend’s door for an impromptu movie night. Popping through the bathroom to chat with your suitemate will no longer be possible.
Pro: More space, lower price Do the math for yourself, but some students find they can have more space and amenities for a lower price than oncampus options. You also have dozens of options to consider, much more than the limitations of campus designs. The cost is reduced even more if you choose to bunk with a roommate or two.
Con: Farther away Living off campus means you’ve got a commute. No more waking up 15 minutes before class and walking across the street. You have to account the extra time needed for a longer walk. If you live miles away, you’ll need enough time to drive to campus, park and then walk to class. Icy roads or a good snow might prevent you from driving to class at all on some days.
Fall 2013
The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013
Flying solo: The ups and downs of living alone Samantha Smoak Online Editor
Risk another random roommate nightmare, live with a friend and risk hating each other by the end of the year or live alone? This year, I opted for the solo lifestyle with a purple and red spoiled-rotten betta fish named Royale for a roommate. Considering going roommate-less next year? Here’s some food for thought that might help with the decision.
Pro: More bang for your buck I have almost the exact amount of space I was paying to share with another person for close to the same price, even a little less with more amenities. Plus, at the end of the year, there is no hauling all my stuff down 10-plus flights of stairs in the early summer heat in the middle of finals with everyone else moving out.
Con: Handling things alone Things that go bump in the night can be 10 times scarier when you’re home alone. It’s easy to get freaked out by bumps and creaks in the night, especially when your imagination creates a situation where a huge bug is going to crawl into your ear and start eating your brain. But what might be worse than having to face the boogieman (or boogiewoman) alone is having to face the army of ants invading through the windowsill or the spider in your bathtub by yourself. Maybe it’s just a part of growing up, but having a buddy to bond over the insects and specimens that find themselves in your personal space is definitely a special experience.
Pro: Freedom to dance Do you want to keep the thermostat on 68? OK. Do you want to dance around in your underwear and rock out to “Old Time Rock and Roll” like Tom Cruise in “Risky Business?” That’s fine also. Living alone means you have complete control over your schedule. When you have roommates, you have to be — or should be — respectful of their personal preferences and schedules. This might mean putting off printing a novel while your roommate
is trying to sleep or not turning on the lights to vacuum at 2 a.m.
Con: It can be lonely Sometimes after a long and hard day, someone to listen and talk your problems out with can be nice. Living alone means sometimes you’re deprived of that friendly ear to vent to. It also means you’ll have to seek out socialization since it won’t be readily around you, like in an on-campus residence hall. Sure, you can whip out your phone and have a conversation via phone or even Facetime, but both of those alternatives fail when you’re in a moment when all you need is a hug. One is the loneliest number, especially when you’re in a tough spot and you seek help from a friend.
Pro: No peeping Toms It’s great knowing that after 12 hours of being at school and at work, combined, it isn’t required to come home to a bored roommate who wanted to chat, was staying up all night to finish that project they had procrastinated on or has brought all her friends back for a night of drunken tomfoolery. There’s also no fear of walking in on your roommate making out with her boyfriend in front of your desk or letting dishes and leftover food fester for weeks. Living alone allows you to avoid all those awkward moments that no one willingly experiences. Plus, you can be the one in control of your space, whether you have friends over or spend the evening with Netflix.
Con: No shared responsibility It might still be less expensive than living on campus, but if you live alone, you’re solely responsible for all the bills. Too tired to cook tonight? Then you’ll go hungry, because no roommate means no option for alternating cooking nights. You’re also solely responsible for all those dreaded chores like cleaning toilets and vacuuming. Cleaning a bathroom with a buddy doesn’t initially sound like fun, but when you pump up the music and have a singing session with a friend, it can become entertaining and productive. A roommate can ease that “To-Do” list in addition to being fun and productive.
Fall 2013
The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013
Faces of Knoxville Whether in the heart of campus, the Fort or sprinkled throughout the city, there are more than 27,000 UT students that call Knoxville home. These students sound off on why they love where they live.
“I can easily walk downtown, and I don’t need a parking pass for school. My house has old-house charm.”
Sierra Jensen • The Fort
“I love living on campus because I’m close to my classes so I can sleep in.”
Mitchell Connell • South Knoxville
“It’s only a mile and a half from downtown. I bike to campus, and it takes less than 10 minutes.”
Marji Itayem • Morrill Residence Hall
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
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“It’s nice to live in a house and have a sense of independence.”
Peyton Ritchie • East Knoxville David Berry • Laurel Residence Hall “I like the large windows, the sleeping spaces, the pool and pool table.”
Pratishtha Singh • The Fort
“My landlord is a historic preservation architect, and my place has been historically preserved, which gives it a lot of character.”
Amber Heeke • West Knoxville
“I live with my family, and it doesn’t cost money, which is great.”
Nathaniel Ryman • West Knoxville
“It’s nice a place, but I’m not home very often because I’m in architecture.”
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013
Living in the Fort offers serenity, zombie protection
R.J. Vogt Editor-in-Chief Though Fort Sanders has a reputation for seedy behavior and risky business, it may just be the safest neighborhood in town – if zombies attacked. Before you go watch that episode of Walking Dead idling in your Netflix queue, consider the events of a battle that will turn 150 years old on Nov. 29. As the Civil War began to turn against the Confederacy, 780 rebel soldiers reportedly died in the 1863 assault on Fort Sanders. Rumor (read: Wikipedia) has it that the boys in blue only suffered 13 casualties, and even the National Park Service estimates that the North suffered only 100 casualties.
The lopsided affair lasted 20 minutes. First, Confederate soldiers tumbled over telegraph wires tied between tree stumps. Then the attacking brigades tried to cross a 12-foot wide, 10-foot deep trench dug by the North. Hundreds of men never managed to climb out, decimated by Union forces firing from the higher ground that is now the area around Laurel Residence Hall. Forget shooting fish in a barrel; this was shooting rebels in a hole. The massacre secured East Tennessee for the United States, and ole’ Honest Abe had Fort Sanders to thank for protecting these hills. If Barack ever has a World War Z on his hands, he should remember this historic military victory; Fort Sanders would be an equally strategic defense from a zombie attack. As students, we take for granted the absurdly steep hills in our beloved Fort. Over the years, countless sorority women have bemoaned the heinous hike up Laurel Hill after a long day down on Rocky Top. Their moans are justified; Fort Sanders Hospital stands nearly 700 feet higher than the Tennessee River side, and much of the steep incline begins just north of Cumberland Avenue. But when we inevitably need protection
from a zombie apocalypse – as pop culture so desperately and profitably manifests – we must remember the dreadful ascent we face daily would be deadly against the dead’s invasion. Laurel Residence Hall sits on the ideal location for a fortified defense, a benefit Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside successfully used a century and a half ago against real live soldiers. Those hills would be even harder to manage for the drooling undead – imagine one of those stiff-legged creeps struggling up 16th Street. Today, the Fort has gained an ironically dangerous reputation. The recent history of hold-ups and drug trafficking has tarnished its once-victorious status, and generations of college students have turned it into a veritable graveyard of beer cans and bad decisions. The neighborhood even experiences its own sort of zombie invasion every Saturday, when tens of thousands of drunken college football fans descend to frenzy and grill hot dogs. Despite its own brand of madness, however, Fort Sanders is an excellent location to prepare for the end of the world. With plenty of houses to hide in and alleyways to dart
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through, evading zombies would be easy; Walmart and Publix will be finished soon, providing storehouses of supplies just a few minutes away; two major interstates – escape routes – are immediately available. The Fort has even gained another tactical defense in the years since Gen. Burnside’s victory over the South: college parties. While some survivors could take turns firing shots into the encroaching zombies, the rest of the Fort Sanders’ alliance could enjoy themselves taking shots of a different sort. So, if the current zombie zeitgeist concerns you and you need a place to live, consider making your stand in the Fort. It’s where America took a stand and where countless college students have taken keg stands before you. At the very least, Fort Sanders is only a short, downhill walk to class. When you’re feeling like a zombie yourself on Monday morning’s hungover commute to school, that journey may very well make you feel alive again. R.J. Vogt is a junior in College Scholars. He can be reached at rvogt@utk.edu.
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013
Top 10 Questions
1. 2. 3.
4. 5.
When can I move in?
If the move-in date does not work for you, try to negotiate a better time with the landlord/ old tenants.
Is the lease for 9 or 12 months? If you are not planning on staying over the summer, a 9-month lease may be more your style.
How much are rent and deposit fees, and when is rent for the first month due?
These amounts are very important to know. Deposit fees are often due when you sign the lease or shortly after. You will need to know exactly how much you owe when signing the lease and how much you will need for rent before arriving on move-in day.
Is there a grace period after the monthly rental due date? Many apartment complexes let you have until the fifth of the month, but some do not. Make sure you find out when the last day to pay rent is and what the penalty charges are for late rent.
What are the terms for renewing the lease? Am I allowed to move to a new apartment on the property? Some complexes only consider it renewing if you sign the lease for the exact same location. This may affect your receiving the perks that complexes sometimes offer for renewing, such as free parking or reduced rent.
6. 7.
8. 9.
to Ask Your Future Landlord
Are pets allowed? If you want a pet, would you need to pay an extra fee every month or is it just a one-time fee? If you do not want a pet, you should decide if living around other pets is OK with you and if the grounds are kept clean.
Are any utilities included in the agreement? If they are not included, you will most likely need to contact KUB and Comcast on your own. If you have roommates, you should decide whose name will be on the account before making the calls.
Can I paint walls or make other decorative changes? Some apartment complexes allow you to paint the walls if you paint them back when you move; others do not. Also, some complexes do not like for you to use nails in the walls because of the holes they leave. While this is probably not a deal-breaker for you, it could make your decorating more difficult.
Is there an office on-site or a 24-hour phone number in case of emergency? This is extremely important. If something happens in the middle of the night, whether it be a maintenance emergency or you getting locked out, you need to know that someone will be able to help you quickly.
is waste removal handled? Is recycling available? 10. How On move-in day, you will undoubtedly have a lot of trash to throw out. You will need to know where the dumpsters are located. Also, when you get settled, you may like to know if you should drop off your recyclables at your complex’s recycling bin or if you will need to make a trip to the recycling center each time.
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013
The roommate: your friend, neighbor, sibling and pet
R.J. Vogt Editor-in-Chief A roommate plays many roles: that of a friend, a neighbor, a sibling and a pet. As friends, roommates will see you more than most others in your life. They will see you when you roll out of bed in the morning, eye-boogers hanging from your eyelashes and the smell of last night’s liquor pitcher wrapped around your breath. They will see your visitors, romantic trysts and study buddies. All that time together will teach them things about you, like how often you brush your teeth and what TV shows you watch when you’re sad. Sharing space inevitably leads to sharing your soul. Be sure your roommate can bear it. As neighbors, roommates have to maintain a habitat alongside you. They have to sit on the same couch cushions that you spill hummus on and share cupboards with your frosted mini wheats addiction. Your yard is their yard, and the responsibility to mow through the weekend sludge of solo cups and cigarette butts encompasses them as much as you. Living together demands a form of together-living. You cannot walk around your house naked – unless they’re into it. As siblings, your roommates will hate you. They will tease you for your weird habits and argue with you if you try to shirk cleaning the bathroom. Sure, they will love you and support you, but only if you love and support them right back. Fellas – expect wrestling matches and braggadocio. Ladies – expect the same, but more passively. There is no tattling to Mom and Dad in college, so be prepared to duke it out
in person. Consider boxing gloves, or at least respectful discourse, as a means of conflict resolution. As pets, roommates are unique from most other relationships in that you get to pick them and that hygiene is especially important. Pick ones that clean up their own messes and don’t shed everywhere. Slobberers and messy eaters can be loved, but only intentionally. Episodes of uncontrollable excrement will happen; invest some time in setting ground rules and some money in Oxy Clean. When selecting a roommate, also remember that you’ll be locked into a lease for a year. If things go sour – which they probably will at some point – you’ll have to decide between reconciliation and the headache of moving out. The conventional wisdom suggests that best friends may not be the best idea because the close proximity can destroy even the best of friendships. Though that advice may often hold true, it only happens when you and your friend are not used to reconciling differences. If your friend and potential roommate seem to have everything in common with you, consider someone else. Chances are, the differences you discover in one another will strain too tightly the bonds of friendship you thought would hold you together. You’re not looking for a best friend or a friendly neighbor, not seeking a big brother or lovable dog. You’re looking for someone who can be each of those to you, someone who will share the stories of their day and communicate the problems of the house. You’re seeking someone who can respect your independence; you need someone who has, at the very least, good hygiene. And when you find your roommate and sign that lease, remember that you need to be that unique combination of friend, neighbor, sibling and pet to them too. R.J. Vogt is a junior in College Scholars. He can be reached at rvogt@ utk.edu.
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Religious housing offers mix of accountability, community
Claire Dodson Arts & Culture Editor When I stepped into the UTK Wesley Foundation my freshman year, I had no idea the building would be a landmark of my time at UT. A stage where I would make some of my best memories, where I would grow intellectually and spiritually and where I would build a community of people that loved and supported me just as I did them. When it came time last spring for me to choose where to live, Wesley seemed the natural choice. After an application and interview process, I joined seven of my best friends in the downstairs apartments.
During my freshman year, I lived in South Carrick; my sophomore year, I moved off campus to The Orchard — a condo off of Cherokee Trail where I lived with three other girls. So far, Wesley has been entirely different from both of these experiences. In Carrick, my roommate and suitemates were awesome, but we were largely isolated from our floor and hall; I met few of the other residents. In the Orchard, we were even more isolated and never actually met any neighbors, although we had a high degree of freedom. Both years, I was involved at Wesley very heavily, and I viewed it as a second home, a place where I could escape the stress of school and feel like I belonged in the middle of a large campus. Now, my home and my second home have been combined. The experience has been paradoxical. On one hand, I am constantly surrounded by a vibrant community that encourages me. On the other, I do not always have a place to be alone. It’s a tradeoff I have learned to accept
and appreciate, and it has forced me to purposefully plan times to be alone, go to the gym and get away for short periods of time. Wesley operates much like a home, and the residential community is like a family. We have chores and guidelines that encourage us to be role models for the Wesley community. We cannot have alcohol or pets in the building, and we come to the group to discuss issues and problems that arise, whether that’s noise or too many dirty dishes. At Wesley, along with other types of campus ministry housing, there is a higher degree of accountability and usually a lower cost for rent than UT student housing. Accountability can be a good thing. This semester, I have learned that in communities, you have to think of the group to a certain degree. Your choices do not just affect yourself. If I listen to music or watch TV really loudly in my room, I have not kept a stranger in my hall awake
at night and received a warning. Rather, I have kept Alex from focusing on studying for his organic chemistry test or interrupted Christie’s phone call with her family in Memphis. My actions have consequences that are personal instead of vague. There are other perks – the close proximity to classes (I can roll out of bed at 7:50 for my 8 a.m. in HSS), the short walk to the Strip, the parking where I never have to worry about finding a space. Mostly though, living in religious housing forces you to be self-aware and considerate. You get to experience the fun and satisfaction of an awesomely-supportive community all the time, and it is a community that is sometimes challenging and difficult. In the end, though, it is a place to be fed and to serve, a place to study and to sleep, a place to know and be known. It’s home. Claire Dodson is a junior in English. She can be reached at pdodson@utk.edu.
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The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Fall 2013