Spring Living Guide. Feb 15, 2018

Norman’s changing housing market | Page 10 What to ask before signing a lease | Page 25 How to buy renter’s insurance | Page 27

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Two’s company, three’s a crowd Whether flying solo or living with five people, finding the right number of roommates is the best way to begin the housing search. story by Sam Tonkins and Rachel Campbell

S el e c t i ng h ow m a ny room mates to live with may seem trivial. However, students should consider preferences, personality types, common interests and sleeping habits before agreeing to live with many or few housemates. Some apartment options may be off-limits depending on the number of roommates, so settling on the number of people to live with is one of the first steps to securing housing.

State on Campus Norman’s corporate leasing specialist, Donnell Francis, said usually people already have friends who are going

STAFF

to be their roommates, and they pick a floor plan that fits them. “ You’re in college and obviously you want to live with your friends,” Francis said. “A lot of the floor plan types available are catered for that. Obviously, you do have your one bedroom and your studio [apartments], but the popularity comes with more roommates.”

1-2 person housing

S o c i a l ly i n t r ove r t e d students with a larger budget will thrive living alone or with one roommate. For

Keenan Betz

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

t hese st udents, not h i ng sounds better after a long day of school than walking into a quiet house with the space and freedom to unwind.

Isabelle Ruiz, engineering physics sophomore, said she likes having two roommates but appreciates her time alone. “ They’re suppor tive,” Ruiz said. “They all know yo u r s t r ug g l e b e c a u s e they’re all going to college together. I think it’s just nice to go home and not worry about school or talk about what happened.”

M ore people can also mea n more clut t er a nd

conflict. Living with fewer people minimizes the risks of a rg u ment s, clash i ng schedules and different cleanliness standards.

F rancis said that when living with fewer people, sharing similar lifestyles is the highest priority.

“When you’re only living with one or two people, you kind of get into your own group,” he said. “You’re dealing with yourself. B(e) mindful of other people and their schedules and that kind of thing.”

3-5 person housing

Bountiful quality time

Peter Reilly

PHOTO EDITOR

and cheaper prices await those who live with more r o o m m a t e s. Fo r s o m e, finding a place to live is nothing more than a question of which places can house all of their closest friends.

M o r g a n F r i e d r i c h , accounting junior, said it is easier to do household chores with more roommates.

“More people to take out the trash, more people to do the dishes,” Friedrich said.

“It’s not terrible.”

F r a nc i s r e c om m end s students get to know their roommates even if they are friends before moving in together. “ The biggest thing is

Gabrielle Velasco DESIGN EDITOR

making sure that you are gonna get acquainted with each others’ lifestyles,” he said. “Especially when it comes to paying bills.

Somebody might leave a light on more often than not, that kind of thing.”

E xt r over t e d st ud ent s or people who enjoy the communal living style of the dorms or Greek houses will appreciate more roommates.

E ach roommate brings something to the table, whether it is f u r nit u re, appliances or skills. Having more roommates can make for a more balanced house when it comes to material items and skill sets.

Caitlin Woods COPY EDITOR

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In with the new

New housing options near campus provide students with convenient apartment or campus living options. Students living in the newly constructed Callaway House apartment complex and OU’s Residential Colleges share their experiences. story by Maleah Willis

Callaway House

After months of seeing Callaway House representatives on campus, students moved in to the new apartment complex in fall 2017.

The housing development has continued to advertise and promote tours to attract new residents.

“I picked Callaway House because of how close it is to campus,” Cam Snowden, creative media production sophomore, said.

Callaway House is one of the closest student apartments to campus. Its location on Brooks Street makes it only a short walk away from the stadium and campus buildings.

Much like other Norman apartment complexes, Ca l laway House comes equipped with various amenities. In addition to its proximity to campus, Snowden enjoys the complimentary gym and pool, internet and cable. Callaway House’s unique spaces, like the sky lounge,

stood out to Snowden.

“A major surprise was the rec room and gym,” he said. “I love to play basketball and ping pong, and it’s all there in the arcade area. There’s also a beautiful sky lounge that’s relaxing and entertaining.”

While Snowden appreciates the benefits of a new complex, it does come with its setbacks. Snowden said parking and maintenance were challenging in the fall semester. Despite this, he said that Callaway House management works hard to address these issues.

“Since this building was built pretty fast, construction and maintenance are always here,” he said.

Callaway House’s closeness to campus means extra parking spots are hard to find.

“My friends can’t come over without being worried about getting a ticket or being towed,” Snowden said.

Residential Colleges

Dun ha m a nd Headi ngton College are OU’s newest venture in on-campus housing. The Residential Colleges broke ground in 2015 and were completed this summer. The college’s first residents moved in before the fall semester.

The Residential Colleges create a living and learning environment between students and faculty, meaning students can take classes and attend guest lectures where they reside. Because this is the first year the colleges are open, students can leave their imprint on the new buildings.

“I chose to live in the residential colleges because I wanted to be a part of something new and be a part of making new traditions,” Onyi Igwe, chemical engineering junior, said.

The residential colleges are the closest OU housing development to the South Oval and the stadium. According to an August article in the OU Daily, the

residential colleges had reached 92 percent capacity. The colleges, initially ma rketed to upperclassmen, houses f r e sh m en m emb e r s of t h e “g loba l community” this year as well.

Igwe said she enjoyed the atmosphere and dedicated spaces of the residential colleges.

“My favorite thing about the residential colleges is the dining hall,” she said. “I like that it’s so convenient.”

Both residential colleges have their own dining hall. One way the two buildings are connected is through their dining halls.

Ig we appre ciat es t he sense of community in the colleges, as well.

Dunham and Headington College host weekly Sunday dinners when residents ca n me et a nd t a l k to one a not her.

However, she says that not having a kitchen is a downside, so every resident must have a meal plan.

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Norman neighbors OU student housing affects more than campus. New apartment complexes and a bustling market have implications for the Norman community, as well. story by Joshua Blanco

LEFT Post Oak Apartments RIGHT Millennium

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With the construction of its Residential Colleges completed and Cross Neighborhood and University North Park projects in the works, the university has carved out space in the Norman housing market. Cross Neighborhood, for which leases are currently open to upperclassmen, is set to open this August. These new on-campus housing options have long-term effects for off-campus student housing and the Norman community.

Off-campus student apartment complexes have changed hands and lowered rates in recent years to remain competitive with one another.

Drastic changes continue for Millennium Apartments, a 196-unit, 698-bed student housing complex. Millennium opened in 2015.

The complex is now up for sale according to the Norman Transcript, with a current occupancy rate of 55 percent.

State on Campus Norman, formerly the Reserve on Stinson, has 204 student units. It was built in 2005 and in December 2006 sold for $30.5 million. The property sold in May 2017 for $17.6 million, a 42 percent drop in price, according to NewsOK. Dena Costello, property manager at Post Oak Apartments, said the university’s focus on promoting its own housing options prevents off-campus complexes from advertising on

campus as they have done in the past.

A housing fair that presents students and parents with off-campus housing options for the following year has been part of Campus Activities Council’s Mom’s Day Weekend programming for years. Costello was surprised to find out the fair will not occur at this spring’s Mom’s Day. The housing fair allowed apartment complexes to market to students while on campus, which is no longer possible. Costello said off-campus apartments have been edged out of Cleveland Area Rapid Transit bus advertisements, as well.

“None of the off-campus housing is allowed to advertise on the CART,” Costello said. “We have to pay $2,400 a year to have CART stop on this property. We pay for that service. But we can’t advertise on it.”

Costello said that a sort of monopoly is created because these off-campus apartment complexes are barred from advertising on campus or on CART buses. Whether or not students want to pay more money to stay on campus when they could get a house or less expensive apartment somewhere else depends on the individual.

CART buses currently bear the logo of OU’s new Cross Neighborhood, an on-campus complex that is still under construction.

“When I started seeing the Cross bus come through all the time I thought, ‘Wait a second.

That’s our market,’” Costello said. “So now, we pay ... to have the CART run through here as a courtesy for our residents, so they can ride directly to campus. But we have rolling advertisements of Cross coming onto the property all day, every day.”

Competing advertising from campus housing comes at a time when less students are signing leases with Post Oak. “It’s a tough market,” Costello said. “Last year was the first year we didn’t lease to almost 100 percent. But we’re overcomers. We have a great location.”

Student apartment complexes and their success affect the Norman community as a whole.

Carrie McConnell, local real estate agent and property owner, said the complexes have brought down the value of the subdivisions around them because people do not want to live around apartments.

Norman residents have expressed concern over the future of local housing. The university recently purchased houses in the HardyRucker area of Norman, a neighborhood just east of Headington College.

McConnell wishes she would have kept the houses she owned in that area. They sold for

more than she thought.

OU is limited in its expansion, however.

Lynne Miller, mayor of Norman, indicated that the university cannot move any farther west than it already has.

“We’ve done a lot to protect our older neighborhoods around the campus, maybe more than most towns do because we appreciate those neighborhoods,” Miller said. “I think that’s something a lot of people, especially people (who) have been coming for many years, like. That’s what they think about as Norman.”

Miller believes any changes in Norman should keep the town’s roots in mind.

“Even if it does expand, I want to keep that hometown feeling about it,” she said. “It feels like we’re just trying to do everything that will make this community healthier and safer and more sustainable and more fun. We’re really, really fortunate to have the university and for the most part, I think we’re pretty good partners.”

Although OU’s influence on the Norman community is clear, Miller said recent changes should be put into a larger perspective.

“We’ve had times when we’ve been overbuilt and times when we’ve slowed down,” she said. “It’s just part of the economic cycle and part of living in a university town.”

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Driving

Austin Peck, energy management and finance senior, lives a couple of miles from campus in a student apartment complex. This is his first year driving to campus and having a parking pass.

H is daily routine includes driving to the university, searching for a parking spot and staying on campus for six to eight hours each day.

“It’s hard to park at certain times of the day, so usually I just get to campus early in the morning and keep my car parked there all day so I don’t have to worry about it,” he said.

Though he purchased a commuter pass, he is still able to park his car at Lloyd Noble Center free of charge and take a shut t le to campus if there are not spots available in commuter and

multipurpose lots.

Peck tries to park at the Asp Avenue Parking Facility by the stadium as much as possible, but more than half the time he finds it full. When that happens, he parks farther away at the Duck Pond lot. He said sometimes he wishes he lived within walking distance to campus so he would not have to worry about parking. “ It’s pretty hard sometimes, and stressful,” he said. “Before you decide what time you leave for class, you have to decide how long it will take to get to the garage, then add in another good 30 minutes at least for parking.”

Walking

Katherine Egger, biology senior, walks 15 minutes each day to get to her classes. She said that because her major classes are often in labs, many are on the outskirts of campus.

S he lives half a mile from campus in a rental

house and finds walking the easiest and most efficient way to get to campus. “ I enjoy walking because I don’t have to deal with trying to find parking on campus,” she said. “Plus, it’s good exercise.”

Egger said that for her, walking is also stress relief.

“It helps me to slowly wake up in the morning before class,” she said.

She said that her house is the perfect distance from campus.

“If I lived any closer, I feel like there would be a lot more disruption during the evenings and weekends, and there would be a lot of traffic.”

Egger has walked to class for three of her four years at OU, so she is used to making the trek to class. However, she said walking does have its downsides.

W hen the weather isn’t nice or she’s running late, Egger said she wishes she had a bike or another mode of transportation.

D ue to the walk, she often stays on campus all day, even though her breaks between classes are fairly long.

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Biking

S a v a n n a h C l o a r, m u s i c a n d occupational therapy sophomore, travels the length of campus by bike every day to get to her classes in Catlett. Cloar lives in sorority housing south of campus.

The bike ride usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, she said, depending on traffic and weather.

Cloar decided to start biking in order to avoid buying a parking pass. Though she could walk to her classes, she prefers the speed and ease of biking. She said it made going back and forth all day much easier.

C loar is a member of the Pride of Oklahoma, and often bikes from Catlett to the practice fields at the other end of campus. From there, she pedals back to Catlett before finally going home for the night. She uses her bike in order to save time.

D uring her freshman year, Cloar walked to her classes and extracurriculars and said it was a challenge to get places on time.

She said that if she couldn’t ride a bike, she would still prefer walking to driving.

With OU’s bike sharing program, though, she doesn’t think she will face this issue, even if something happens to her bike. “ I think it’s really cool that OU now has bikes available for students to use,” Cloar said.

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Roommate chatter Moving into a new place may sound exciting, but it does not always go as planned. Sitting down with your roommates before move in can solve potential issues before they arise. story by Maleah Willis

Cleaning

You and your roommates should talk about your expectations for cleanliness in the apartment. Establishing some kind of cleaning schedule that details who will clean and when can prevent arguments.

Morgan Friedrich, accounting junior, said these conversations are essential even if you do not know your roommates well.

“We’re not super social with each other, but typically when we do talk it’s more about cleaning and stuff,” he said.

Groceries

What you store in the fridge and pantry can cause issues. Decide with your roommates if you will all share groceries. If you do, discuss how you will pay for them. Sharing essentials like milk and eggs is usually a safe bet, but you should make sure everyone has the same expectations.

“We go through milk like crazy,” Isabelle Ruiz, engineering physics sophomore, said.

“There’s little things that you just learn.”

Privacy

Money

Privacy is an important consideration for many people, especially those who are living in an apartment for the first time.

Make time to talk to their roommates about when people may visit, when students need time to themselves and when you can come into spaces unannounced. This will limit embarrassing or uncomfortable situations, which all roommates will appreciate.

“It’s a lot of making sure that even though you’re all living in such close proximity that you are giving each other space,” Katie Southwick, social work sophomore, said. “It’s really easy to be just living on top of each other.”

Money can be a controversial issue for roommates, especially when living in an apartment or a house for the first time. If you or one of your roommates are unable to pay rent, find an alternate living situation. You can choose new roommates or find a different apartment, but this process is much easier before you have signed a lease. A place with by-the-bed leasing can serve as insurance for everyone if someone is worried about paying rent.

Sleep habits

Let your roommates know what your school and work schedules are and keep them updated if your schedule changes.

Emergencies happen, so it is important to know where your roommates are in order to check on their safety. Make sure your roommates know about any allergies or special medical situations. Also, give your roommates emergency contact information if you are comfortable doing so.

When living with other people, it is only polite to respect their schedule. Before moving in with someone, talk about your sleep and homework schedules. If your sleep habits do not line up perfectly, try to find solutions. Avoid playing loud music or entertaining friends when others are trying to rest.

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Finding what you need

Whether you are looking for a short commute or a place your pets feel at home, consider all of an apartment’s characteristics before moving in. story by Sam Tonkins

Distance from campus

Lease length

If you like to roll out of bed ten minutes before class, look for apartments within walking or biking distance to campus. If you A 10-month lease is ideal for students want to get away from school at who want to return home for summer the end of the day, consider the break. A 12-month lease is year-round, costs of a commuter parking pass which is great for students who have or allotting extra travel time in the made Norman their home. If you’re only mornings. Some apartments offer in Norman for a semester or need to shuttle services, but make sure the sublet for the summer, you will need to schedules of the buses work with talk with apartment management about Laundry often becomes an your class times. your options ahead of time. easier task with in-unit washers Renting an apartment already furnished and dryers, though it does require with couches, mattresses and other scheduling among roommates.

If staying active is essentials can help save money if you do Communal washers allow important to you, seek out not want to buy furniture, but complexseveral people to do laundry places with fitness centers. furnished apartments can also take away at one time, but they lack the With a gym or a pool steps from personalization. If you already have accessibility in-unit washers have. away, you won’t need to your own furniture, look for unfurnished If convenience is important to you, purchase an expensive gym places. These apartments will usually cost consider units with laundry.

Make membership or lug a workout less, since you will avoid a furnishing fee sure to check if you are responsible bag to campus. You can and will not have to worry about paying for water costs, though. Laundry also exercise whenever is the complex if your furniture is damaged can add up quickly. convenient for you. in any way. However, you will also be responsible for maintaining and fixing your belongings if they break.

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Guest policy If you want peace and quiet in the evenings, check the apartment’s guest policy.

Depending on your complex’s policy, residents can have people over all night. However, curfews can interfere with plans and study groups.

If your pet will be sharing If you need a quiet space your apartment, you will to do your homework, ask need to check the apartment leasing agents about study pet policy. Sometimes there spaces. Some complexes is a monthly or one-time have quiet lounges for fee to keep a pet in the unit, people who like to study and some complexes do not outside of their apartments, allow animals of any kind. If and some have computer you have allergies, consider labs to make it easier to looking for apartments that do access the internet and print not allow pets at all. assignments.

Study spaces

Pets

Bathrooms Individual bathrooms can provide privacy, but it also means that each person has to clean his or her own bathroom.

Additionally, private bathrooms can cost more in monthly rent.

If you want to split up cleaning or pay less, sharing bathrooms might be the solution. If you value a private space, it might be worth the extra cost and cleaning time.

Outlets It is a good idea to check how many outlets are in an apartment unit.

If outlets are scarce in the bedrooms or common areas, it might be difficult to decorate or personalize a room.

Some apartments host monthly gatherings as a way to meet neighbors from down the hall. If you want the chance to mingle with other residents, ask about programming at the complex.

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Down to the last detail

Whether you are just touring an apartment or ready to sign a lease, it is important to know what to ask. We reached out to multiple leasing agents and put together a list of questions to ask before committing to a house or apartment. story by Sam Tonkins What utilities are covered in the rent?

What is the parking situation?

How are roommates assigned?

The definition of “utilities” varies by complex. Most places include gas, water and trash in the utility cost. However, cable, electricity and internet are not always included. Extra utility fees can drastically change the monthly cost of a unit, so it is important to know exactly which services you are paying for.

Some complexes have free parking open to all tenants. Others charge a monthly rate to park vehicles on property. While open parking lots are easier for residents to access, parking garages protect cars from Oklahoma’s storms. If your car is important to you, it might be worth paying a little extra to keep it covered.

While most complexes let people choose their roommates, sometimes people need help finding people to fill a unit. Some apartments offer matching services or host small mixers to help people find potential roommates. If you have roommates in mind, ask what you need to do to ensure you will all be assigned the same apartment.

What happens if the students’ roommates do not pay their rent?

What security measures are in place?

How to go about maintenance?

It depends on the apartment complex.

Most apartments have individual leases, so tenants only have to worry about their rent and are not responsible for their roommates.

However, some places have joint leases. In a joint lease, every roommate is responsible for making sure rent is paid in full. Pay close attention to what kind of lease you are signing to avoid a difficult situation.

Security should always be on your mind when looking for a place to live. Be sure to look for place with gated lots, doors and elevators that require a key. Many complexes even have security officers that monitor after hours.

How and when is rent paid?

Pay close attention to how a complex wants you to pay rent. Some apartments accept checks or money orders, but most use online methods to handle payment. Ask when rent is due, too. At some complexes, payment is due by the first of the month. For others, rent is not due until the end of the first week.

What if someone needs to break the lease?

Usually, it is difficult to break a lease.

Some apartments charge expensive fees or make residents find someone to sublet their apartment. It is important to know how to get out of the lease should the need arise. If you only need housing for one semester, ask the leasing agent if there are options available, so you do not have to go through the process of breaking your lease.

Does the apartment Having a responsive maintenance team is important in case something goes wrong in come furnished? If so, your apartment. No one wants to go weeks with what furniture? without air conditioning during the summer Many student apartments in Norman or sit on a broken couch. Be sure to ask come furnished with desks, beds, dressers how to send in requests and how quickly and couches. Whether you are bringing your maintenance issues are addressed. own furnishings or content to use what the complex provides, it is important to know What amenities what won’t be there come move-in day. are offered?

After you find the right living space, check on the other amenities the complex offers. Gyms, computer labs, study areas and swimming pools add to your experience as a tenant. If you work out every day or need a place to do your homework, make sure the apartment can meet your needs.

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Renter’s insurance rundown Living in an apartment means that you are responsible for your belongings. Renter’s insurance can protect you in case of emergency. We reached out to insurance specialists to learn more about coverage options and policies. story by Blake Bush

Why you might need it

What it is

Renter’s insurance protects your items in an accident. Coverage depends on the specific policy purchased but usually includes fire, theft and property damage.

All insurance policies are not the same.

Read the specifics of a policy to make sure it covers what you need. Prices vary, but in Oklahoma, renter’s insurance averages about $15 per month. Most policies cover emergency situations, but some coverage has added expenses if damage occurs due to problems like sewage buildup or an earthquake.

Most landlords insure the space students live in, not their belongings. In the event of an emergency, repairs to the apartment will usually be covered by the landlord or apartment complex. However, repairing or replacing your property will be your responsibility.

Renter’s insurance covers anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 in expenses with a deductible that students can negotiate with their insurance company.

After you sign a lease, you should insure thei r belongings. Some apa r tment complexes require renters to purchase insurance before they move in.

How to get a policy

Dep end i ng on you r complex or landlord, you may have to purchase at least a required minimum of insurance.

Di fferent pol icies a re ava i lable depending on the type of housing you cover. Apartment policies usually have a lower coverage amount than houses. After you check on insurance regulations for your housing, you will need to estimate the worth of your belongings.

An insurance agent will ask you about the value of your personal property. Take photos and write down editions and serial numbers of important items to document the worth of your electronics, jewelry, clothes and appliances.

Your insurance policy should cover the estimated worth of your belongings, but this number is still negotiable with the agency. Be prepared to answer questions about your property, such as the make of your laptop or the cost of your television.

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What you should ask an insurance agency Ask if your items are all covered, or if any of them will be denied coverage.

Depending on the insurance agency, policies cover different items. Some of your personal property may not be covered at some agencies, so you will need to know exactly what you want insured and find a policy that does so.

F o r i n s t a n c e, s o m e i n s u r a n c e limits coverage on jewelry or clothes.

Additionally, you may want to ask whether the insurance you purchase covers liability of your roommates or pets. If someone is hurt in your home by your roommate or your pet, ask if any medical bills or property damage will be covered by your policy.

Be specific about emergency coverage.

Ask if natural disasters are covered, and what the extra charge is to make an insurance claim if they are not.

Get quotes from multiple insurance agencies before making a decision or purchasing a policy. Doing so will ensure that you get the coverage you need.

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10 steps for move-in day

Moving into a new apartment or house can be overwhelming. Between unpacking, organizing and filling out paperwork, it is easy to forget everything that needs to be done. Here is a list of items to do the day of movein that will help you throughout the entire lease period. story by Rachel Schaub

1. Fill out a room inventory form. If you want to avoid extra fees at the end of your lease period, make sure to check everything listed and document all damage, no matter how minor.

2. Take pictures of current apartment conditions.

These photos will be especially helpful if you have damaged or old appliances or furniture. Save these photos and you can send them to management in the future if necessary.

3. Take inventory of your belongings, especially if you are living with roommates. Keep track of how many plates, sets of silverware and kitchen utensils you contributed to prevent issues when you move out.

4. Submit maintenance requests for anything in need of immediate repair. It is important to get these requests in quickly, especially at busy apartment complexes. Many residents usually send work orders within the first few weeks of a lease period, so be sure to act quickly if your unit needs major repairs.

5. Double check the specifics of your lease, like the rent rate and the date that payments are due. Confirm the rate is what you and the owner or landlord previously agreed on and figure out a payment plan for the entire lease period.

6. Take care of parking issues. Some apartments or housing complexes require you to register your car or pick up a permit. Figure this out quickly to avoid issues throughout the year.

7. Do a grocery store run. Do not forget necessities for the entire apartment or house, like toilet paper, hand soap and storage bins.

8. Clean your living spaces before unpacking everything. Make sure that the floors and appliances are in acceptable condition, and check your lease if they are not. Some apartment complexes and landlords agree to clean the unit before a new tenant moves in, so make sure they do.

9. Forward your mailing address. This is especially important if you receive important bills or paychecks by mail regularly. An address change can be accomplished with a short trip to the post office or by visiting the United States Postal Service website and filling out an online form.

10. Start organizing your space. Do not wait to put items away, especially if you move in right before the semester starts. Spend the first few weeks of the school year focusing on classes and homework rather than where you put the kitchen boxes.

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