From stories about fun roommates to bug problems, multiple students with differing housing situations shared their best and worst experiences about where they live.
Whether living on campus, off campus or at home with their parents, students discussed both upsides and downsides of each living situation, so the best places to live while going to college are still up for debate.
DeVante Williams, a junior communication major from Palmdale, Calif., said he is pretty satisfied with where he lives on campus. Williams said he had originally lived at the on-campus apartments, Chancellor, but he moved because of roommate issues.
“Nothing was wrong with (Chancellor),” Williams said. “I liked it, but my roommates were mean.”
As of now, Williams lives at Shiloh Hall, which is also on campus. Shiloh Hall features a single room living space.
“I wanted the single room, so I switched,” Williams said.
Williams also said that one of the best things about living on campus is how close he is to his classes. He said it’s easier because he doesn’t have to walk very far.
However, there is one thing Williams would change about Shiloh Hall if he had the chance.
“The bathrooms are kind of small, but other than that it’s a pretty solid space,” Williams said.
Shiloh Hall is for men only, while Chancellor provides housing for both males and females. The Nisson Towers are also on campus and house men and women.
When it comes to living off campus, students have at least a dozen options. Kasey Fox, a sophomore communication major from Kanab, lives at Rebel’s Roost. Rebel’s Roost is one of a dozen off-campus apartments offered specifically to students.
Fox said he lives with eight people in one apartment and he loves it because it’s like coming home to a party. He added that he chose Rebel’s Roost because all his friends lived there, and he wanted to start living away from his parents.
“Ultimately, being away from my parents is what’s fun,” Fox said.
Fox also said Rebel’s Roost is one of the better-priced apartments at about $1,150 per semester. The Red Rock Ridge, which is another off-campus option, starts at about $2,880 per semester. When he and his friends thought about moving somewhere else, they realized they actually didn’t want to leave.
“We realized how expensive everywhere else was, and further away from campus, so…there weren’t a lot of reasons to leave,” Fox said.
However, Fox did mention what he disliked most about Rebel’s Roost.
“Bugs,” Fox said. “There are bugs of all sorts. Last year there was a really bad cockroach problem, but lately I haven’t seen any—lots of crickets though.”
In addition, Fox said he wished the rooms weren’t so small, but overall he likes where he lives.
Jillian Schmutz, a sophomore integrated studies major from St. George, lives at home with her dad, who pays for things like food and car insurance. She said she sees no reason to move out.
While Schmutz said living at home is much cheaper than living on her own, there is only one reason why she would move out.
“I’d move out to be closer to the school, so I wouldn’t drive as much,” Schmutz said.
Altogether, Schmutz said she likes being close to her family.
Shelby Paige, a freshman general education major from St. George, isn’t as satisfied. She lives at home with her parents, and she said she can’t really focus on her academics.
“I need my own space to be able to work on my homework and not have everyone in my house running around,” Paige said.
Paige said she would rather get an apartment than live on campus, but she would consider it as an option. Currently Paige is struggling with the finances required to move.
“I’m trying to get another job so that I can afford to move out,” Paige said. “That’s probably the only reason I haven’t.”
While popular factors that contribute to choosing a place to live might be friends, family and location, most situations tend to be determined ultimately by money.
“I actually had to take only two classes this semester because I was short on money,” Fox said. “It’s kind of slowing me down.”
Williams said if he did try to move off campus he’d have to get a roommate to split the rent.
“It’s more expensive to live off campus because you actually have to pay your bills,” Williams said. “At least with housing you just pay the rent.”
