xor
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Posts posted by xor
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@FinalDanish
Thanks a whole lot! This is really useful information right here.
I am just finding out about University Edge. The 2-bedroom is slightly above my budget but I might have to take it. Seeing that I'm married and it might be more convenient for my wife if we don't have a roommate, I won't be searching for any roommates.
No, I don't exactly prefer a house. I just hope we won't suffer disturbances from undergraduates while at University Edge!
I know how undergrads love to party hard.Did you go to University Edge eventually? If so, did you get any pictures (good idea from HegelianThomist)?
Meanwhile I sent an email to ND housing over two weeks ago, trying to find some solutions to my housing problems, but got no response. Then a couple of days ago I sent another email to the rector of Cripe Street apartments. No response either. In my understanding, Cripe street has little or no available space, generally, so I'm no longer seriously expecting any favourable response there.
My housing plans might affect my travel plans, because I need to be certain where I'll be staying before I arrive in the US, let alone in South Bend, and that's my major cause of concern. Hope University Edge cuts it!
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Thanks Thooce.
How did it go, sreyb?
It's been quiet in here. Any updates, any news?
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Serenade, you're too kind. Yes, I hope something opens up really soon, one way or another! Pardon my outdated English; by"resumption", I refer to the start of the new school year i.e. Fall. For us, I believe that is mid-August. Aha, my question was about the security deposit. I am glad to know that only $1245 was required upfront. I thought one would have to pay the $1245 plus the first and last month's rent (another $1890) all at once, to secure the one-bedroom apartment at Overlook. That would have been quite a hefty amount to come up with at short notice, if a space opened up! I needed to be sure. Thanks again!
Hi Sreyb, it's a good thing that you already have working plans for housing! Don't you worry, the I-20 will arrive in time. I was told it never takes more than 5 days to a week no matter your location in the world. Mine took about 4 days to arrive. Good luck!
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Thanks Serenade. Yes I have looked at options on Craigslist and also at various ND off-campus (including Overlook) and on-campus housing options.
One thing that has complicated matters was that being an international student, by US regulations, I couldn't get a visa until 100 days before resumption i.e. last week. So I just got it last week. Without the visa I couldn't make more concrete housing plans (and in fact it's the reason I lost out on Overlook. I'd been talking to the Overlook admin since mid-February when I got my admission offer - when there were still many spaces at Overlook - but I couldn't confirm anything. Now the place has been fully booked as at April). Really painful, as that's my most preferred option.
Next option: Cripe street on campus. The very day it opened up two weeks ago, I applied there as well (I'd learned my lesson from Overlook so I didn't wait to formally get a visa). Sadly, Cripe street placed me on a waitlist and there's no assurance that I will get any space there. I can't apply to Fischer O'Hara Grace because I'm not single.
I have seen a number of other housing options near campus but besides the fact that most of them are also placing one on a waitlist, I'm not even sure I'd like to live at some of them: dormitory style living probably won't work well for us (one reason I really liked Overlook - it is actually designed for graduate students).
My plan now is to keep seeking these housing options and hopefully something will turn up soon. As a last resort, I am allowed to enter the US up to 4 weeks before resumption, so I can try to enter a last minute frenzy of searching (I think it's a bad idea but I may have no choice left by then).
P.S. If I recall correctly, you said you got a place at Overlook? Did you have to pay to reserve your space? If so, does the rent count as from resumption or as from the day you signed the lease? Please I need to know, so I can prepare to act swiftly just in case a space opens up eventually.
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I'm starting to get really worried about housing. On all my current options, I'm waitlisted...
And I'm not coming into the US with my car, neither am I planning to buy one when I arrive; so I can't afford to risk arriving and not getting housing at my preferred options then having to shuttle to and from a long distance.
I hear the public transportation system is irregular e.g. closes in the evening and hardly works on Sundays. Sigh...
Anyone with pointers on apartments near school should please share?
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I'm also in for the ACMS doctorate program
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Lol at "untie"
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Bananasinpyjamas and Serenade I know exactly how you feel! Before I finally accepted the Notre Dame offer some weeks ago, almost everyone I know in the US was telling me that I will need to learn to adjust from living in a tropical climate almost all of my life, to one of the colder locations in the US. Like I didn't already feel emotional enough! Sigh. Congrats, by the way.
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Hi. Someone above mentioned 14%. Is this a standard rate for taxes on stipends? Thanks
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Any idea what percentage I should be looking at (an estimate or range should suffice) for the tax on the stipends?
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It should be more than enough unless you're eating out every day. I live in DC, which is significantly more expensive than SB, and I spend about $60/week on groceries and eat out maybe once or twice a week. I would say i spend $30 eating out per week, so let's call it $90/week = $360/month. South Bend is significantly cheaper--you should be able to have a lot of residual income. Now, if you're going to never really cook and eat lunch out every day, it's a bit more grim.
Thanks, this is very helpful.
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I'm also curious about this because one of the housing options I'm looking at would leave me with about $9500 left of my stipend per year (counting health insurance/electricity/cable/laundry/etc already paid). So the $9500 would only have to pay for gas and food, basically. Also, the said housing is on campus, so gas wouldn't really be an issue except for going somewhere off campus.
So then it comes down to $9500 (or $790 per month) for food, and a small amount of gas. Is that doable in South Bend???
Yes, this is my exact concern. I think I also considered this option that you speak of. I am just trying to find out if it is doable in South Bend or I should give up, find a more affordable place far from campus and resort to commuting from there.
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I would say you can probably find a decent place to live in South Bend for around $500-$600 per month. Tack on maybe an extra $50 for utilities. So for living it's possible, but you may need to use some of your spouse's income for food. $10k is really not a lot to live off of anywhere in the world. If you have a car and don't mind commuting, you can probably find a much cheaper place nearby (e.g., Niles, MI, which is 20 minutes away from campus). Of course, this probably will add to the cost in terms of parking fees, and I'm not sure how much these cost at ND.
Thanks. I asked because I got an all-inclusive (all facilities) rent just outside the campus premises, an offer that comes to about $11k. So I was wondering if to take that, as I would then have only about $10k left of my stipend. With this perspective, I'm probably better off seeking another housing and then sort out the facilities (internet, electricity etc) by myself. No, we don't have a car and I really would not like to commute. I'll have to keep searching, then.
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I've never lived there, so I can't really help you here. I wouldn't say South Bend is the safest place in the world, but you would feel very safe anywhere around campus.
Thank you. This is really helpful. I have found some good information on housing.
Can anyone help with information about cost of living vs. graduate stipends? Is approximately $10k per year sufficient to get by for a married student with no kids, if rent is already handled (working wife, but we may want to save her salary for a rainy day)?
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Hi I'm an international student who's just been admitted to Notre Dame's PhD program. This will be my first time in the US. I have not yet accepted the Notre Dame offer because I am comparing options, including housing and safety. I'll love to live in a safe area within 10 to 15 minutes of the campus. Where should I be looking at, and what should I budget? Am I generally better off taking the Cripe street apartments? (I'm married). Thanks.
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Hello Final Danish,
The only problem I might have with University Edge is that it is unfurnished. At that cost, I would have expected it to be furnished! Bummer, but I just might go for it anyway. I have started an application. If I go with them, I will certainly mention your name.
Please don't forget to send us the images you got!
I am also checking out the Clover Ridge and Clover Village apartments. I'll make some phone calls to those two in a bit.
You're absolutely right about the urgency to sign with student housing lenders. I have been hustled that way by most of the property owners i have contacted (except at The Overlook, and of course, Cripe Street)