Okay, so it’s the size of a box… and there seems to be a new issue every day! But hold on, we can find some perks about this “apartment.”
I will admit, I was used to being spoiled by dorm life. However, let’s be realistic; dorm prices can become quite expensive, and sometimes it is just not worth the convenience. We college girlies need to save as much as we can because these loans are NOT forgiving.
After living on campus for three years, I decided to move out. Due to prices and decent amenities, I moved to one of the cheapest options, but there were a few unforeseen costs for this. It is easy to look at the negative side of things, but I will compare the pros and cons of my situation. If you have a place to live, it is a blessing in itself.
Size
It is a studio apartment and only 155 square feet— but for the price and location, there is nothing to complain about. As long as I am alone, not having a door to your bedroom is alright for me for the year.
Cleaning
Because the room is so small and everything is visible, it motivates me to keep it clean and organized.
Wi-Fi
The place comes with free Wi-fi. The only issue I have had is that half of the time, it does not want to connect with my phone… but that’s okay because yay, unlimited data! The most important part is that it works on my laptop nearly all the time.
Air Conditioning
Unfortunately, the place does not come with air conditioning. So sad for the American lifestyle. The good part is that I reside in Pennsylvania, so most of the time it is not hot, and a fan often works wonders. Another plus is that I do not have to pay for the cost of running the AC!
On the other hand, it does come with heat, which is arguably more important. I have not gotten through the winter yet here, so let’s hope it is a good temperature. On the negative side, it is controlled by the building, not individual units. Sigh.
Kitchen
The apartment units in the building only have a kitchenette, but each floor does have a full kitchen, and they are fairly new. Therefore, if you like to cook, it should not be too much of a hindrance. At least the oven works! (Cannot say the same for some other off-campus apartment options).
Laundry
Okay, so they are the old-fashioned top-load washing machines (and they are a little dusty), but they are not that dirty! The laundry facility IS included in the building. Depending on which floor you live on, you have to walk up and down up to four flights of steps (I only have to walk down two, yay). On a positive note, there is no traveling to a laundromat, which is especially annoying if you do not have a car.
No Bathroom Sink
Probably the worst of it is that my place does not come with a bathroom sink! Only one sink in the kitchenette is included. Gross! But we move.
Units that share a bathroom with their neighbor have sinks, so why could they not add one to the single rooms? One will never know. But hey, at least I do not have to share a bathroom with anybody!
Parking
The parking lot is connected to the complex and is free! But only if you sign for a full calendar year.
Walkability
It is just a short six-minute walk from my class building.
Overall, the place I live is not bad. Since I am in college, I spend most of my time outside my room anyway. Because of this, the size and layout do not bother me much. Most importantly, I do not have to live with anyone or deal with RAs, which already makes me ten times happier this school year.