???Having a private bedroom and bathroom are nice perks, but students thinking about moving off campus need to consider the responsibility and newfound independence that comes with having an apartment of their own.
???New concerns that come with off-campus living range from landlord issues to finding furniture.
???According to Mary Clare Fahey, off-campus relations coordinator, students who are seeking independence should try first to live in the on-campus apartments.
???"If a student has unlimited income, I would say live in the apartments on campus," Fahey said. "They are geared towards the wants and needs of the students. If there's no vacancy in those apartment, look to Sweethome, the Villas [or] Collegiate Village."
???Three sets of all-inclusive on-campus apartments, Hadley, Flint and South Lake villages, are available for juniors and seniors in the undergraduate college. Flickinger Court and Creekside Village are limited to graduate students.
???"You have that independence of having an apartment. You have a kitchen and you can have friends over whenever you want and privacy, but you still have the conveniences and the fun of living with other students," Fahey said.
???Things to consider when moving off campus include roommates, location and proximity to classes, safety and transportation, and most importantly-your budget.
???Off-campus housing appeals to students looking for a place to rest their heads farther away from campus at night. The University Village at Sweethome and the Villas at Chestnut Ridge Road come equipped with furniture and individual bathrooms for each tenant.
???"The major things I considered [when looking for a place to live] were the distance from campus, price and the surrounding area," said David Weinstock, a junior environmental design major who currently resides in the Sweethome Apartments.
???Students can also take advantage of all the city has to offer by living in standard apartments surrounding campus, or in the heart of downtown Buffalo.
???Those looking for a prime place to live can check out www.offcampushousing.buffalo.edu or www.craigslist.com, where new housing listings are offered daily.
???Those looking to live off campus can find a housing steal near South Campus or in the Elmwood Avenue area, as rent is lower for those houses than for on-campus apartments or off-campus student complexes.
???According to Ryan Kelly, a senior business major currently living on Main Street near South Campus, he chose to live in University Heights to get away from the university scene and be more independent.
???"My friends and I didn't want anyone looking over us anymore, like an RA or a building attendant," Kelly said. "We wanted to do whatever we wanted and not have to worry about someone knocking on our door and telling us to be quiet or checking our rooms if we had friends over."
???However, the Heights come with safety issues for students in an area where crime is often a reality for residents. Students like Weinstock feel that those who live in the Heights trade inexpensive living for safety issues.
???Fahey said that anyone looking to live off campus should note the condition of the place prior to signing a lease. If the apartment is a mess when it's being showed, that's typically how it's going to be all the time. Potential residents should pay attention to detail and not be afraid to voice requests and raise questions.
???"Look and make sure there's a smoke detector in every bedroom, that there's a carbon monoxide detector, and that the stove and refrigerator work," Fahey said. "The biggest thing to look for is what kind of condition [appliances and the residence] are in."
???Prior to moving or even signing a lease, Fahey cautions, students should make agreements with a landlord in writing, in order to have something that will hold up in court, if need be. All questions should be answered prior to signing on the line - nothing should be left up in the air.
???"If something goes wrong with the house, such as a broken dryer or stove, my landlord is pretty quick to get it fixed-usually, within a few days," Kelly said. "I do know a bunch of other people who have told me about their landlords who take weeks to fix things or solve problems in the house."
???Neighbors are important to take into consideration, according to Fahey. Will they have barking dogs or loud parties? Do you want to live among other college students, or near families?
???"No matter where [students] live, they want to get to know the people around them," Fahey said. "They want to build good relationships with each other so they can keep an eye out for each other."
