Living Arrangements in SLP Grad School

[Bcjami]

Hey everyone! Can't believe it is April already. I'm planning ahead for where I want to live in August. I have been searching and crunching numbers; however, I would like so advice on what some past experiences from other students have went through with living arrangements. How much is too much to use student loans on for an apartment per month? What about roommates? I never moved out of my parents house during undergrad, I saved money this way! On the other hand, this leaves me as a rookie on living stuff. Any suggestions would be awesome! :

 

Thanks!! 

[tchris]

Hello!  Just thought I'd share my 2 cents on roommates since my former living situations have run the gamut.  I've lived with good friends and regretted it and I've also found some great roommates on Craigslist.  If I were going to have a roommate during grad school, I would prefer to be with another SLP or grad student.  I would recommend against living with an undergrad, mostly from looking back on how I was when I was an undergrad.  However, I think the person's study of choice is less important than making sure your living styles match and you have the same idea of what is acceptable regarding noise, mess, friends, boyfriends, pets, and other potential points of contention.  

 

The last question about how much to spend vs. the quality/location is important.  My first apartment was pretty cheap and I figured I would be fine with the location and lack of space.  I was miserable.  It seems like when you're apartment hunting you have to find a good balance among price, location, and size/cleanliness.  For me, I normally prioritize price and size/cleanliness over location, meaning I would rather have a less expensive place a little farther away that is nice enough for me to feel comfortable. I find that if you're willing to compromise on one of the factors, you can usually find something that you like. 

Edited April 7, 2014 by tchris

[Bcjami]

So I just realized I hit the wrong button where people can see what you select when I set up the poll. Sorry! 

[Papaya91]

I've had some great, fun roommates in the past, and I've had some shitty roommates (quite literally - one of them repeatedly pooped all over the toilet seat, the floor, and once the wall... I moved out reaaaaaal quick).

I think roommates can be a really fun way to cut down on expenses and have a social life, but you have to realize that people come from different backgrounds, and that they have different standards of cleanliness. If you are willing to compromise with your roommates to ensure a pleasant living situation for everyone, then I think you'll find yourself successful. But it's important to TALK beforehand about what's important to you so you know if you're really a good match or not. A good living situation is crucial to your mental health, and your success in school, and you also owe it to your roommates to make sure it's a good situation for them.

As for who to live with - I say live with whoever is a good match for you, as mentioned above. If that's a fellow SLP grad student, great! You can have study parties together. Or if you'd like to get away from the CSD crowd (since you practically live with them all at school anyway), maybe another grad student, or even an undergrad would be a good idea. Just make sure that you and your roommates agree on some main issues.

To list a few... cleanliness, bathroom time, how to divide chores, "overnight guests," visiting hours/are parties okay, sharing items (like dishes), are you all okay with alcohol in the apartment, etc.

As far as cost goes, I think it's best to save money wherever you can, so you have less debt to pay back later on. However, location is a huge consideration. Is the area safe? Will you have to drive or take a bus to school (and then have to pay for parking, as well)?

Personally, I don't know if I'm going to have roommates. I have a cat, which makes it a little bit more difficult to find a place. I also have some valuable belongings (mainly my harp), and I'm not going to move in with someone that I don't trust. I prefer not to live alone, but we'll see what happens.

[sayjo]

Well, I'll be living with my husband... .  But, I spent 8 years living with roommates in my past.  Luckily, I only had one "bad" one during my freshman year of college.  I will say that I disagree with the amount of people voting to get a "nice" apartment.  I certainly wouldn't want to live anywhere unsafe; however, I lived in crappy apartments almost all of my 8 years living with roommates and I'm no worse off for it.  In my opinion, if you're not using your own money to pay for the apartment, you should keep it as cheap as possible. Rent adds up over two years!!  That's more money you'll have to be paying back later.  You can have a nice apartment once you have a job.

[Missthang]

I'm still trying to decide if I want to move (or more like if I can financially). My fiance and I discussed moving half way between my house and school, so he wouldn't have to drive too terribly far and I would be considerably closer. I've been accepted to my current university's grad program, which is about 40 miles from my house. Downtown traffic can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours (1.5 hrs going home today bc of 1 bad wreck... yuck).

[Bcjami]

I'm still trying to decide if I want to move (or more like if I can financially). My fiance and I discussed moving half way between my house and school, so he wouldn't have to drive too terribly far and I would be considerably closer. I've been accepted to my current university's grad program, which is about 40 miles from my house. Downtown traffic can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours (1.5 hrs going home today bc of 1 bad wreck... yuck).

It's a hard choice! I'm a fan of a pro and con list, but my brain still has trouble picking ha ha

[flnjslp]

I'm still trying to decide if I want to move (or more like if I can financially). My fiance and I discussed moving half way between my house and school, so he wouldn't have to drive too terribly far and I would be considerably closer. I've been accepted to my current university's grad program, which is about 40 miles from my house. Downtown traffic can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours (1.5 hrs going home today bc of 1 bad wreck... yuck).

 

My fiance and I had this same discussion. We decided to just stay at our current apartment because it's cheaper overall. I'm hoping we made the right decision. If it was cheaper to move closer though I think we would have. Even with the gas we're saving money being further away.

[JD2017]

got a full ride to my school, but I think I'm gonna save more money by sleeping in my car and showering at the gym

[Missthang]

My fiance and I had this same discussion. We decided to just stay at our current apartment because it's cheaper overall. I'm hoping we made the right decision. If it was cheaper to move closer though I think we would have. Even with the gas we're saving money being further away.

I feel like we're leaning more to just staying as is. Gas is still cheaper than rent like you said.

[PsycD]

got a full ride to my school, but I think I'm gonna save more money by sleeping in my car and showering at the gym

You have no idea how much better I feel to see that I am not the only one who had this idea pop into their head lol

[Papaya91]

You have no idea how much better I feel to see that I am not the only one who had this idea pop into their head lol

Haha it is a pretty great idea (and I'm sure I would have at least jokingly given it a thought, too, if I didn't have a cat).

 

But I'm not sure if that poster is a real person or just a troll trying to brag and make people feel bad about themselves, lol... "Oh look at me, full ride, accepted into Harvard, Columbia, Stanford and Yale for Law, no rejections, I'm so amazing, yar har har. Here, let me chime in about ways to save more money (oh wait - I don't have to worry since I got a full ride), while most of you actually are worried about it."

(If you genuinely are a real person, and if I misunderstood the intent behind that post, JD2017, then I fully apologize for being in the wrong.)

[Sunshine5535]

Haha it is a pretty great idea (and I'm sure I would have at least jokingly given it a thought, too, if I didn't have a cat).

 

But I'm not sure if that poster is a real person or just a troll trying to brag and make people feel bad about themselves, lol... "Oh look at me, full ride, accepted into Harvard, Columbia, Stanford and Yale for Law, no rejections, I'm so amazing, yar har har. Here, let me chime in about ways to save more money (oh wait - I don't have to worry since I got a full ride), while most of you actually are worried about it."

(If you genuinely are a real person, and if I misunderstood the intent behind that post, JD2017, then I fully apologize for being in the wrong.)

 

Def agree with you - Stanford is not even spelled correctly in the signature. Just sayin'

[emikate51]

I'll be living with my husband but from past years in apartments I've always gone with roommates (3-5), good area, and decent apartment. Nothing fancy but still looks nice. Rent was usually around $500/month per person. I lived with randoms 2 years and it was a great experience. I met two of my best friends this way and stayed friends with most others. Not everyone is this lucky but I wouldn't change a thing.