housingguide2013

HOUSING GUIDEHOUSING GUIDE thebatt.comthebatt.com spring 2013

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thebattalion Housing Guide

story by lindsey walters

For many students, off -campus living can be a hard and stressful decision. Many decisions go into where you are going to live, how you are going to pay for things, and what you will need. Be sure to make a check list. Do your research and get advice.

There is a lot more to living off campus than most students take into consideration. Sally Miller, administrative assistant of stu-dent living, tells the students to fi rst decide what type of home they are looking for. There are houses, town homes, apartments or duplexes. One option is to individually lease your room in an apartment, where you only lease your room and are not responsible for the entire apartment. There is also standard leasing where you lease the entire apartment or house, but if one of your roommates moves out, you are responsible for their part of the rent.

“We tell them to look at their budget

fi rst and what they can aff ord,” Miller said. “It might be furnished and it might not, also look at what it will cost for bills each month for the size of housing you want.”

Expenses that you need to include are start-up fees and bills. Start-up fees are the one-time fee that you will pay to con-nect the utility to your house, for example water or satellite. Bills are due each month, and they normally include your water, electricity, television, Internet and most importantly, your rent. You also have your necessity items like food. You are still able to purchase a meal plan for on-campus dining even if you live off campus, for those that do not want a large grocery bill or do not know how to cook.

“I love having my own house, my own couch and my own privacy,” said Sterling Wallace, a senior animal science major at Texas A&M. “But there is a lot of things,

Are you ready for off -campus living? Better get your check list made

See ready on page 27

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Housing Guidethebattalion

story by amanda overfi eld

Have you ever been awoken in the middle of the night because some random person was breaking into your house? If you have, you probably know that it is ter-rifying. Believe it or not, break-ins happen in Bryan–College Station.

Home security is something that needs to be taken seriously, and taking the time to implement simple safety precautions can make all the diff erence. Offi cer Zach Martin with the College Station Police Department was nice enough to answer some questions and give advice on how to stay safe.

Question: College Station is stereo-typed as an extremely safe place full of wholesome Aggies who have people’s best interest in mind. Do you agree with that?

Answer: “It doesn’t matter where you live, bad things happen. There is not any more or any less crime in College Station than other towns. I don’t know any town that doesn’t have crime.”

Question: In your opinion, what are the most preventative actions people can

take to ensure apartment safety?Answer: “Always keep the dead bolt

locked. Whether you’re home or away, this is so important and will deter a break in.”

Question: What is something that is often overlooked in apartment safety?

Answer: “Being informed. It is really simple small steps that will stop somebody. Remember to do the small things like al-ways keeping your doors looked, turning on porch lights, always have your keys out so you’re not digging in your pockets or purse when you get to your apartment or car door. Just be aware of your surroundings.”

Overall, he stressed the importance of ALWAYS making sure the doors are locked, both at and away from home.

Living on your own for the fi rst time is exciting, but remember it comes with responsibility. You can easily improve your chances of living safely by taking simple precautions. No one thinks a break-in will happen to him or her until it does. Safety is not something that should be overlooked or taken lightly — even here at Texas A&M.

Tips on how to live safe and secure

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Choosing where to call homestory by lesli garrett

Perhaps the most exciting part of com-ing to college is moving out of your par-ent’s house to live on your own. No more making your bed, putting your clothes away or following mom’s cleaning schedule. However, fi nding a place to call your own can be harder than it may seem. College Station has an abundance of housing de-velopments, subdivisions and rental homes for students that the possibilities are nearly endless, so fi nding the best place to fi t your needs often requires time and research.

“Parents are always most concerned about price and safety,” Dr. Mark Vara, College Station rental property owner, said. “Students are most concerned with loca-tion and size; it can be challenging to meet both parents and student’s needs.”

One factor students tend to ignore is fi nding a landlord or rental property that maintains the facilities properly. This is of-ten something not thought of until the hot water heater is broken or the air condition-er needs repair in the middle of August.

It’s important that students choose prop-erties that have a reputation for repairing normal damages in a house or apartment. Appliances are always going to break, make sure you are going to get fast service and attentiveness to detail.

For many parents and students, paying tuition and daily expenses puts a burden on them and their college experience. How-ever, College Station has a median rent of $755 per month, where as the Austin

See choosing where on page 8

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metroplex and Houston area have a median of $947 and $1,251 respectively, according to cstx.gov.

Oftentimes to decrease costs, some stu-dents have to cut their cable and internet and double up in bedrooms to accommo-date for more people, making rent cheaper per tenant. Apartment complexes tend to off er multiple amenities anywhere from tanning beds to basketball courts and game rooms to swimming pools. However, these extras can increase rent prices for things students may or may not want or use.

“Price was more important to me than the amenities off ered at most apartment complexes,” sophomore economics major Eliot Griggs said. “I don’t want to pay $100 more a month for tanning beds and game rooms I will never use.”

One important factor to consider when deciding on housing that is often forgot-ten is the length of the lease. Many college students choose to travel abroad, intern or work at camps, etc., over the summer.

While away it is costly and burdensome to pay rent for a house or apartment they are not using. It’s wise to choose a lease that will fi t your individual needs to avoid being locked into paying a year-long rent you may not need. Talk to your realtor or complex about shortening or lengthening your lease to avoid moving multiple times and paying unnecessary costs.

“I have stayed in College Station every summer, thankfully my leases have been 12 months long saving me the headache of re-locating for the summer or paying extra to extend my lease,” sophomore horticulture major Megan Reiley said.

College Station off ers students a plethora of options to call home. There are many factors that go into choosing a home or apartment and there are many ways stu-dents can be overwhelmed without proper information. Plan ahead and take your time deciding, rushing into a housing decision only causes stress in the long run.

Choosing whereContinued from page 5

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Emergency Numbers

Ambulance, Police, and Fire Departments.............................................911

On Campus Emergency (from a campus phone)................................9.911

Sexual Assault Resource Center...........................................979-731-1000

Non-Emergency Phone Numbers

Bryan Police Department.....................................................979-209-5300

CARPOOL........................................................................979-693-9905

College Station Police Department......................................979-764-3600

Corps Escort (on campus only)...........................................979-845-6789

Department of Public Safety................................................979-776-3110

Student Counseling Helpline...............................................979-845-2700

University Police.................................................................979-845-2345

A.P. Beutel Health Center

The mission of the A.P. Beutel Health Center is to serve Texas A&M Uni-

versity students through the provision of medical services and promotion

of health through preventative care and education. The Health Center is

located on Houston Street. Limited outpatient parking is available in the

small adjacent parking lot north of the facility.

Phone (appointments)............................................................979.458.8250Website: shs.tamu.edu

Transportation

Texas A&M University’s Transpor-

tation Services provides a variety

of options to help students, faculty,

and staff get to and around campus

effi ciently. These transportation op-

tions include riding on or off cam-

pus transit buses (all you need to

use the bus service is a TAMU ID),

parking on campus, or riding a bike

to and around campus. Information

regarding all of these options can be

found on the transportation website:

transport.tamu.edu

Transportation Services

Parking: 979-862-7275 (PARK)

Transit: 979-847-7433 (RIDE)

Local Medical Services

College Station Medical Center..........................................979-764-5100

1604 Rock Prairie Road, College Station

Scott & White Clinic................. .........................................979-691-3300

1600 University Drive East, College Station

Scott & White Hospital

Scheduled to open August 2013

St. Joseph Regional Health Center.......................................979-776-3777

2801 Franciscan Drive (29th Street), Bryan

St. Joseph Express Walk-In Care

4401 Hwy 6 S, College Station............................................979-731-5200

2010 E Villa Maria Rd., Bryan.............................................979-821-7373

Information provided courtesy of the Offi ces of the Dean of Student Life

Adult, Graduate and Off Campus Student Services from the Off Campus

Survival Manual. This information and much more can be found online at

studentlife.tamu.edu/agoss.

(979) 696-5357

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Design on a dime: college editionstory by taylor wendt

It’s the start of a new semester, you walk into your new apartment, and all you can think is “wow, there is so much white.”

Going from a home and a room that has had years to be personalized, and then en-tering a drab apartment or dorm room can be overwhelming. There are so many blank walls, so many empty rooms, and you’ve got a bedspread and a laptop to fi ll them. However, inspiration and design for a new home can be really easy, especially with websites like Pinterest and other design websites and blogs that have thousands of ideas to personalize your space.

Roommates Alyssa Boyd and Allison

Mayo have taken their dull dorm room and made it into an eclectic, homey space just by adding a few decorations that refl ect their personality.

“It is fun using what you have and taking the challenge to make something unique and special out of something mundane and ordinary,” says Allison Mayo, sophomore communications major. “Look for things that are free! My roommate and I collected paint samples that we used in diff erent ways in each of our spaces. She fanned them out and put them on a bul-letin board, while I hung them on a string

See designing on page 20

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and made a banner.”Color can really add pizazz and style to

any room, so incorporating a piece of art-work that draws you in or adding a throw pillow can make a space feel new, and you can take these pieces with you to your next residence as well.

“Anywhere you go, you can fi nd in-spiration,” says interior designer Candace Huber. “Flowers, fabrics, accessories, and artwork – you can get inspiration from anything with color and design.”

Taking color or style ideas you see in stores or online, and then incorporating them into projects in your apartment or dorm is a really great start to any interior decorating. Some creative projects that can be done to make a room feel more welcoming are decorating lampshades, add-ing pretty curtains, putting inventive and creative things on your walls, and personal-izing your apartment with pictures.

Lighting makes such a diff erence in a room, so taking a drab, plain lamp shade, and decorating it with fabric or scrapbook

paper, adds color and life to any room. In the same way, taking a window that has the usual boring white blinds and putting brightly colored or pretty patterned drapes over it takes a bland room and makes it completely new, in such a simple way too.

Pictures can also be displayed in your apartment or room, in many diff erent ways, to personalize your space. Some great picture ideas include making a collage on your wall, creating picture canvases by mod-podging your favorite photos onto blank canvases or slates of wood, or using scrapbook paper as a backdrop in frames.

“Anything can be home décor,” says Madison Ham, junior fi nance major. “I have fashion decorations on my wall because that’s what I love to do, so I just defi nitely try to put my interest on display.”

The key to decorating is to think of it as a fun project and not a task on your to-do list. One fun, creative idea that is really simple is taking old glass bottles and

DesigningContinued from page 19

See designing on page 23


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painting the insides or wrapping them in yarn or burlap to add color to your apart-ment. Then, by placing fl owers inside you have a beautiful table decoration that is customized just the way you like.

It can also be really gratifying to search for old pieces of furniture and make them into something fun and new.

Try looking at garage sales or places like Goodwill for cheap, used furniture that can be turned into something stylish and perfect for your apartment.

A really popular style right now is painting old furniture a bright color, and then sand-

ing it down to give it an “aged” look. Also, recovering a chair with pretty fabric adds an unexpected liveliness to any room.

“People seem afraid to decorate, but go with your gut if you really like something and you’ll fi gure out a way to work it in your space,” Huber says.

Finally, remember that personalizing your space isn’t something that happens in a day. As you collect interesting objects, your apartment will begin to feel more like home. Keep your eye out for inspirations, and you’re almost guaranteed to come across something you can incorporate into your room.

DesigningContinued from page 20

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2x6

Hold for Off Campus Housing

and a lot of unexpected expenses that you have to pay to keep things going.”

Check to see if your apartment or home has a bus stop nearby. Bus routes run throughout the city. You are able to ride the buses because you pay for the transit fee in your tuition. You do not have to purchase a parking pass or even a vehicle to be able to live off campus.

Another important thing to consider is the safety of where you are looking to live. Look into the crime rate of that neighbor-hood or apartment complex. Always keep the doors locked for safety.

“I chose the apartment complex I live in based off of the security I felt when I was there,” said Allison Tucker, a junior ag communications major. “The entrance has gates that are always closed, and unless you have the code or someone that lives there to let you in, you cannot enter my apart-ment complex. This makes me feel safer so that I know there are not people just driving through for fun.”

For more information you can visit stu-dentlife.tamu or visit Miller in Cain Hall suite B-117.

ReadyContinued from page 3

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Housing Guide

Fast, easy meals:

The Ramenalternativestory by cat monaco

Fast, easy meals for college students on a tight schedule and small budget

Between classes, going to the recreation center, and a 5:30 a.m. weather broadcast every Monday, junior meteorology major Camille Manning has found a way to fi t fast and easy meals into her busy schedule.

Easy meals, both on and off campus, are a necessity for students like Manning who do not have time during the week to make home-cooked meals or sit down at a restaurant.

“I feel like I’m always on campus this semester so I’ve had to learn to make easy meals to bring to school,” Manning said. “I think the key is making it the night before and in bulk so you can just grab it when you are running late in the morning.”

Asian Salad, a recipe from her mother, is Manning’s favorite meal to make. It is a simple recipe of broccoli slaw, oriental ramen noodles, rice, vinegar, almonds, sunfl ower seeds, and sugar mixed together making enough salad for about a week of lunches.

“Not only is Asian Salad so easy to make, it’s actually pretty cheap when I’m on a budget,” Manning said. “I usually just try to pack that with some strawberries to balance out the meal.”

Finding easy meals on campus is also an option among students who live in dorms or are on campus during meals. Senior education major Stephanie Shargal’s favorite thing to eat is Chinese food in the Memorial Student Center.

“I pretty much live in the MSC because I’m the chair of Town Hall and that makes eating chinese such an easy choice,” Shargal said. “I just make sure to go at non-rush hours or else you can get stuck in line forever.”

Shargal typically orders lo mien and orange chicken because it is one of the cheaper options in the MSC and quick to eat in-between work and meetings.

Some students choose a more traditional option when choosing what to eat for lunch including senior animal science ma-jor Megan May who packs quick lunches for her days spent on West Campus or working as a Texas A&M bus driver.

See Ramen alternative on page 29

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FAIRWAYSapartment homes

NewlyRenovated

story by macy mccasland

You could just be living somewhere six

months or even a year, but when it comes

to signing a lease, there are certain things

that everyone needs to know before put-

ting pen to paper to sign your name.

Living off campus is a big deal and can

aff ect a lot of aspects in your life if you don’t

do it right or sign yourself into something

before considering a number of factors.

“Be sure and look around. There are a

lot of options out there and when it comes

down to it you want to live somewhere that

fi ts all of your needs,” said Bethany Holland,

sophomore international studies major.

One of the fi rst things people need to

know is once you sign, you’re in it for

good…or at least until the lease is up.

When you put your name to the lease,

you need to understand the consequences

attached. Even though you’re not buying

the place, a lease is a legal commitment that

you are held to keep; if you don’t, you will

be out of pocket a good chunk of money.

Another important factor to know is

there is a chance you could be responsible

for damage you did not do. When you fi rst

move in, be sure to put the damages you

fi nd in your place on the “preexisting”

damage section of your lease. If you do not

list everything, you will be liable for all

damages at the end of your term.

People who have had personal experi-

ence in these areas are the ones you can

learn from. Ellie Gonzales, a December

graduate with a degree in anthropology,

learned how to deal with these obstacles

the hard way.

“Make sure you do a run through before

you move in because that’s where I really

got burned. There were damages in my

room that I moved into that should have

been fi xed ahead of time,” Gonzales said.

Financial consequences can be costly

when it comes to breaking your lease.

Since it is a legal document, companies can

charge you however much they feel fi t to

cover the costs.

It is the company or owner’s preference

as to whether they will let you break the

lease. In the end, check out all your sources

before you agree to stay somewhere and be

aware of the time you plan on living there.

“When you’re going into a lease, just

remember to weigh all of your factors. The

apartment complexes don’t enjoy charg-

ing you for something if you can prevent

it,” said Lindsay Elias, a manager at a local

apartment complex.

Other factors that have an infl uence

when it comes to signing a lease include:

pet policies, customizing to your person-

ality, fees involved, electricity, appliance

upgrades, and the inclusion of cable.

Your lease may automatically renew

depending on what the lease states. Know

your responsibilities if for some reason you

have to break your lease.

What to know before signing a lease

“I just pack a sandwich and a granola bar

because it’s pretty much the easiest thing to

do when you have to be on campus all day,”

May said. “Sometimes I even just eat cereal.”

When deciding what to eat when off

campus, students have many options around

College Station. Effi ciency is still the

number one factor for Shargal when she’s

choosing a location.

“I’m a huge fan of local places that have

chicken fi ngers,” Shargal said. “It’s obviously

delicious and it’s quick so I can just pick

it up on my way home. You can also never

go wrong with fast food, it might not be

healthy but it sure is an easy meal.”

Whether students choose to eat on or off

campus, there are fast and easy meals avail-

able on campus or from their own kitchen.

All of the favorites from the students inter-

viewed are suitable to make whether you

live in a dorm, apartment or home.

“I think what most students struggle

with is fi nding things to make with limited

kitchens,” Manning said. “That’s why I love

making salads. It’s something I’ve been able

to do when I lived in an apartment with no

kitchen as a freshman and still can now that

I live in a house.”

Ramen alternativeContinued from page 28


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DUPLEXES, 4-PLEXES, TOWNHOUSES, CONDOS & HOMES!!

(979)694-2747www.BCRBS.com

700 University Dr. E., Suite 108 College Station, Texas 77840

TEXT ‘CP’ TO 47464 FOR MORE INFO

979 680 8475www.crossingplaceliving.com400 SOUTHWEST PARKWAY, COLLEGE STATION TX 77840

The amenities you want...

the value you Love!

XTXX ‘CP’T TO 47464 FOR MORE INFO

PARENTS WEEKEND ONLYBRING THIS IN FOR WAIVED FEES AND A $100 GIFT CARD!

REAL LIVING, REAL LEARNING.

CollegeStationStudentApartments.com

Parent’s Weekend Special: Sign annual lease - Get a HUGE Discount + $100 HEB Gift

1, 2, & 4 bedroom floor plans On A&M shuttle route

Free internet & cable w/ HBO Fitness center & sport courts

Large pool w/ area to grill Aggie owned and operated

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housingguide2013

Documents

campus living

campus dining

housing guidestory

housing guidethebattalionstory

size of housing

entire apartment

type of home

home security