The Housing Guide, from Student Life at Washington University in St. Louis, December 2021 Edition

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

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Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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5 MINUTES TO WASH U On-Site Management & Maintenance

Pet-Friendly & Smoke-Free Community Game Room with Pool 24-HourINCREDIBLE FitnessAMENITIES Center Pet-Friendly & Smoke-Free Community HIGH END FINISHES Saltwater Pool Outdoor Kitchen Grilling Stations Game Room with Pool 24-Hour Fitness Center HIGH END FINISHES Saltwater PoolReceiving Outdoor Kitchen Grilling Stations Garage Parking Package Garage Parking Package Receiving n Fully-Equipped Gourmet Granite Countertops Coffee Bar Starbucks CoffeeKitchen BarStarbucks Fully-Equipped Gourmet Kitchen Granite Countertops On-Site Management & Maintenance On-Site Management n & Maintenance Tile Backsplash Stainless Steel Appliances n

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Fully-Equipped GourmetIndividual Kitchen Granite Countertops Sized GE Washer/Dryer or Balcony FullFull Sized GE Washer/Dryer Individual orPatio Balcony HIGH END FINISHES Tile Backsplash Stainless Patio Steel Appliances

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

Table of Contents 6 Finding your first apartment 7 Pros and cons of different

14 How to deal with

10 Against roommates: Living

me get through college

11 In favor of roommates: Liv-

like home

neighborhoods around campus alone is freeing

ing with others brings joy

roommate conflicts

16 Housing hacks that helped 18 Making your new place feel 23 The Housing Guide

12 Decorating your living space on a budget

2021-2022 Staff List

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Matthew Friedman Editor-in-Chief editor@studlife.com

Grady Nance Senior Sports Editor sports@studlife.com

Jayla Butler Em McPhie Ted Moskal Isabella Neubauer Managing Editors

Jordan Coley Gracie Hime Senior Cadenza Editors cadenza@studlife.com

Grace Kennard Orli Sheffey Senior News Editors news@studlife.com Olivia Poolos Julia Robbins Senior Scene Editors scene@studlife.com Reilly Brady Jamila Dawkins Senior Forum Editors forum@studlife.com Vivienne Chang Senior Engagement Editor engagement@studlife.com

Sarah Wang Senior Design Editor design@studlife.com Brian Cui Curran Neenan Senior Photo Editors photo@studlife.com

HN Hoffmann Kamala Madireddi Jaden Satenstein Senior Multimedia Editors multimedia@studlife.com Sabrina Spence Senior Social Media Editor social@studlife.com Nathan Springman Senior Web Editor web@studlife.com Kasey Noss Sydney Crump News Editors

Jordan Coley Grady Nance Senior Copy Editors copy@studlife.com

Adrienne Levin Coleman General Manager a.coleman@studlife.com

Ani Kesanapally Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor dei@studlife.com

Tammy Dunsford advertising@studlife.com

Copyright © 2021 Washington University Student Media, Inc. (WUSMI). Student Life is a financially and editorially independent, student-run newspaper serving the Washington University community. Our newspaper is a publication of WUSMI and does not necessarily represent the views of the Washington University administration.

Cover Design: Annabel Shen Layout Design: Sarah Wang

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

How to approach

your first apartment hunt

Matthew Friedman and Ted Moskal Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor The move from Washington University housing to off-campus housing can be very intimidating. Looking for somewhere to live is typically tough for everyone, but if you have never done it before, the process can be especially overwhelming, anxiety-inducing and generally draining. We have each only ever done it once before, so we’re sure we do not have all the answers and that we have lots more to learn. Still, we thought we would list a few things for you to consider as you embark upon your first apartment hunt. These questions won’t cover everything, of course, but they’ll hopefully enable you a more productive search process.

Who are you going to live with?

Your roommate situation is an important thing to figure out early on in your first apartment hunt. Getting along with roommates in a dorm can certainly be challenging, but apartment living presents its own set of ups and downs, from cooking and cleanliness to noise and landlord interactions, so thinking long and hard about who you want to live with (or if you want to live with anyone at all) will make life easier once you’ve actually moved into your new apartment. Consider not just people with whom you get along but also how you communicate and resolve conflicts. Being proactive about

finding potential roommates (or choosing to live without them) and communicating with them about your apartment hunt plans is a great first step toward a future happy living situation.

What is your budget?

Before you start looking for an apartment, it’s important to set clear ground rules for what you’re able or willing to pay. This will save you time right off the bat by eliminating pricier apartments, but will also help give you a better sense of the range of options that are available to you.

When you’re planning your housing budget, rent shouldn’t be the only factor that you consider. Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) can really eat into your budget, so you should look into whether your landlord includes them in the rent or leaves them up to you to figure out. While these costs tend to be pretty fixed, others like moving expenses, transportation/parking costs, furniture and renters insurance can vary based on where you’re moving from, if you have a car, if your apartment is furnished and your level of risk tolerance. Making those decisions really depends on your personal preferences and financial means: at the end of the day figuring out your budget involves a lot more than just looking at rent.

Where should you look for an apartment?

There are many different neighborhoods near campus for you to choose from. You should weigh things like how far from campus you’d like to be (would you rather be right over the Overpass near U-Drive, for example, or are you looking for something near Des Peres far away from the hustle and bustle of the Greenway?), your desired distance from restaurants and other stores (do you have an urge to be within sight of Blueberry Hill at all times or can you handle a bit of a walk) and your proximity to other friends. Each neighborhood comes with its own pros and cons, which you can read about elsewhere in this housing guide, and it is often difficult to choose, but ironing out some of these details early on will make the rest of the apartment hunt easier.

Once you know these things, how should you look for an apartment?

There are many helpful tools to facilitate this part of the process! You can look through online real estate vendors like Zillow, check out Facebook Marketplace or try Facebook groups like the WUSTL Housing, Sublets & Roommates group. You can also try asking older students if they know anyone who is trying to find a new renter for their current apartment — some landlords give tenants a referral fee if they find people to take over the lease for the next year.

Once you (and your potential roommates) find an apartment you like, reach out to the

landlord or owner to schedule an apartment tour and inquire about next steps.

What questions should you ask during an apartment tour?

The apartment tour can be a helpful way to collect information that is not otherwise available. You can ask about whether things like gas, electricity, water and trash collection are included in the cost of monthly rent — if not, you’ll have to factor those things into your calculations as you weigh apartments. Try to figure out the apartment’s laundry situation: While some buildings in the area offer free, in-unit washers and dryers, many have ones that are shared between apartments and require you to pay in coins, so that is something to be aware of. You should also determine how the security deposit works, since that might relate to your ability to pay for the apartment.

Along those same lines, it’s fair for you to ask about how often you have to pay rent (by month, by semester, by year, etc.) and how your landlord has you do it (Venmo, a mailed check, etc.). If you have pets or a car, you can ask how the landlord handles those situations. All of these factors can be helpful for eventually making your final decision, so keeping a list of pros and cons for each apartment you visit can be a helpful way of remaining organized. Good luck with your apartment hunt!

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

The

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pros & cons of

different off-campus

Isabella Neubauer Managing Editor

Skinker-DeBaliviere Pro: You’re on (or close to) Waterman! Long known as the center of off-campus party culture, the buildings on these streets were practically built for hosting parties. You can have your friends over or join your neighbors’ events, whichever you please.

Pro: Close to both the East End of campus and the Loop, this area is extremely walkable. The only thing a car might be required for is grocery shopping, and that’s only if United Provisions or grocery delivery services won’t work for you.

Con: You’re on (or close to) Waterman! Your neighbors will have loud parties that go late into the night. The walls of your apartment will not block this out. If you’re a light sleeper, this may be an issue.

Con: Street parking, combined with one-way streets, can make parking in front of or near your building difficult.

neighborhoods DeMun Pro: The neighborhood itself is

beautiful. With Concordia Park (and Clementine’s!) never more than two blocks away, working or playing outside in DeMun is possible even if your apartment doesn’t have a yard.

Con: It’s far from campus. The

many of the buildings’ age, DeMun apartments tend to be cheaper than those in many other neighborhoods — though this price does reflect that square footage tends to be smaller and appliances older.

Con: Parking is extremely incon-

East End is fairly close, but the Danforth University Center is a 20-plus minute walk from the closest edge of the neighborhood. Especially in winter, this commute becomes more of a trudge.

Take a study break...

Enjoy the view from The Dorchester

Pro: It’s affordable. Due to

venient. Though some buildings have reserved parking spaces, many do not, leaving street parking as a much-desired but limited commodity.

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

North of/on the Loop Pro: It’s near the Loop! With so many restaurants and stores just at your doorstep, you won’t have to go far to pick up takeout, go out with friends or window shop.

Con: Neighborhoods around the Loop have been rapidly gentrifying due to student presence. When looking for an apartment in this neighborhood, keep in mind your status as a student and ensure that you are not contributing to pricing St. Louis residents out of their homes.

Pro: With a wide range of options in pretty much every price range, you can find an apartment to fit your needs in this neighborhood. Want to spend a little for a smaller apartment? Want to shell out for square footage and reserved parking? Both are available in essentially the same location.

Con: A street known for nightlife, the Loop is far from quiet in the late hours of the night, especially toward the end of the week. If noise coming in from the street will bother you, it might be best to look elsewhere.

The Moorlands Pro: The apartments are so nice. Seriously. Some Moorlands apartments are larger than a small house, and just stepping into one often feels luxurious.

Con: They are just so far from campus. Convenient to the South 40 only, trying to get to a class on the East End can mean a walk of 40 minutes or more.

Pro: The walk to campus may be long, but it is beautiful.

Walking down Wydown is serene at any time of year, and the massive houses that line it make you feel like you’re in an entirely different place for a while.

Con: The apartments are frequently expensive. Though not all are, prices can be significantly above those in other neighborhoods. You get what you pay for, but the cost may be prohibitive.

U Drive Pro: Less than a 5 minute walk to the Loop, U Drive is also a central location between most other off-campus neighborhoods.

Con: Driving out of this neigh-

borhood is a nightmare. The only vehicle access to U Drive is via the Loop, so it’s often quicker to walk to places like Forsyth apartments rather than adding that extra detour onto a drive, and though a car is still the quickest way to get to Schnucks, that drive would be much quicker without having to double back through a neighborhood first.

Pro: Practically underneath the

Overpass, U Drive apartments are easily the most convenient in terms of walking time to campus. In winter, you’ll be grateful you don’t have a long walk in the freezing weather.

Con: The apartments are old.

Insulation is often poor and, though spacious, the buildings themselves are not as updated as those in other neighborhoods.

Forsyth Pro: Since most buildings on

Pro: Fairly spacious while still

Con: The parking behind many

Con: Quality varies wildly by

the south side of Forsyth are student apartments, living near the entire friend group has never been easier. Even if you don’t know your neighbors, make friends with them. This neighborhood seems to promote sociality somehow. buildings is treacherous at best, with unpaved, often muddy lots and no designated spaces.

Street parking, too, is a hassle, with only one side of the street available during the day and spaces filling up fast.

being comfortable, Forsyth apartments generally find the balance between cramped and single-family-home-in-disguise.

While not the most modern or high-tech apartments available, they have what you need, generally without frills. landlord. While many buildings are similar, how well-kept they are can be drastically different.

Word of mouth reviews and apartment tours will be your friend in determining building choice here.

Illustration by Tuesday Hadden

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

Scan Me:

Live your storyHere apply. group. select.

More Information: bit.ly/washuhousingselection

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

Living alone is Let me make one thing clear — I am not anti-roommates in general. For many, living alone is less fulfilling or simply too expensive when compared to living with friends.

But the expectation during college is to room with some of your closest friends, a situation that is often worse than simply living alone.

Being roommates with someone is much more demanding than being friends with them. There are no arguments about leaving dirty dishes in the sink or accidentally leaving the bedroom door open while a ‘guest’ is over.

Personally, I am aware that my living habits (probably best described as obsessively clean chaos) would just not mesh with those of the vast majority of my friends. I live alone — and would encourage others, if it is an attractive option to them — to do the same.

I will admit that my

freeing

current lack of roommates stemmed from a less than satisfactory roommate experience last year. But this is not a merely reactionary move; living alone has been fulfilling in a way that my past three years of having roommates, even those with whom I remain on excellent terms, were not. I believe there are three reasons for this: cleanliness habits, convenience and personal space.

I have already touched on cleanliness. Some people do dishes every day. Others do not, which can often create conflict when two people with very different dish-doing habits live together. The same can happen with things like organization of personal belongings (I tend to pile things like hats and masks near the door; my last roommate preferred to keep these in our individual rooms) and how often the floor should be swept/vacuumed. A lot of these problems can be solved

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or mitigated by a discussion with the roommate(s) before you start living together, and they will never create a genuine issue, but different habits can still be a minor irritation.

On top of that, it’s just convenient to live by myself. I no longer have to split the grocery bill in funny ways or worry about who exactly bought that carton of eggs and whether or not it was me. I don’t have to worry about how the rent will be split up or whether there will be a drain on the bandwidth from two simultaneous Zoom meetings. I’m the only one in my apartment, and it’s pretty nice.

Personal space, though, is the core of my argument. When I had roommates, I felt I could never watch TV in a common area — if a roommate was home, I would take my computer into my room to watch or I would just turn my show off. Not everyone is as worried about taking up common space as I, but never having to worry that you may distract a roommate from studying by doing your own thing on the couch was a weight off my shoulders. Living alone also means that the entire apartment, rather than just my room, has become my space. I can invite friends over without having to give anyone a heads-up. I can be alone whenever I need to. Any minor argument seems to take twice as long to resolve when it is with a roommate, and it results in an awkward time of trying to avoid them in space you both occupy. A major argument? Forget about it. Now that I have no roommates, I am able to feel comfortable in the entirety of my apartment and resolve trivial or silly arguments without the living situation feeling like it could blow the conflict out of proportion.

For those worried about feelings of loneliness caused by living alone, I

Isabella Neubauer Managing Editor humbly offer my solution: a pet.

I knew that I wanted to bring my cat to St. Louis and only looked at pet-friendly apartments. Others I know have adopted or fostered dogs. My cat is the neediest creature I have ever met, which means I am non-stop interacting with her when I am home, but even less socially inclined animals provide a level of companionship that prevents loneliness.

Having said this, living alone isn’t for everyone. But if you think it may be for you and it is financially feasible, I encourage you to give it a shot.

You might find out it’s not so scary after all.

Illustration by Annabel Shen

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

Living with others brings “Crazy roommate stories” have become a staple of college humor. You’ll hear tales of roommates who required silence after 9 p.m., who ‘sex-iled’ someone a few too many times or who had gross personal habits. But I don’t think we emphasize enough that roommates are very often hugely positive aspects of daily life.

There’s something inherently lovely about the casual comfortability of living with other people –– you come back from a long day of studying and too many extracurriculars, and there’s someone to ask about your day, listen to a short rant or even just quietly coexist with you.

The times when I come home to an empty dorm, all three of my roommates out and about, immediately make me feel lonely. As a self-identified sort-of extrovert,

I enjoy and often require the company of other people to feel safe and content. Roommates, provided you like them, require less social energy than a scheduled hangout with a friend, but fulfill the need for gentle interaction.

Some of my best memories at WashU are late nights with my roommates after work is done, right before bed, laughing hysterically about something that isn’t really funny, or singing to a 2000s pop song at the top of our lungs.

While I would never invite people over to explicitly hang out at 1 a.m., roommates allow for unforced and unscheduled moments of happiness –– five minutes to chat in between activities, or a ten-minute presleep deep thought.

While I agree that alone time is nice and often necessary for sanity, I’ve come to realize that alone time isn’t

joy

hard to find. This year, I’m in a double, meaning there is no space with four walls that is mine and only mine. Even so, there are hours or nights when I study or even sleep alone in an empty room. Additionally, empty classrooms, common rooms or study rooms allow for moments to collect yourself in private.

If you require vast amounts of alone time, I wouldn’t recommend a double, but suggest that a single bedroom in a shared apartment would probably do the trick.

Of course, there are also financial and practical benefits of roommates. Roommate living is often cheaper on the whole when rent, electricity and WiFi bills can be split. Additionally, you can buy communal appliances, furniture and baking supplies that everyone uses. Financial considerations are so strong that communal

Olivia Poolos Senior Scene Editor living may be the future for expensive cities like New York or Los Angeles.

Regardless, being able to coexist with others is definitely a life-long skill. Tiny conflicts — from dishes to misinterpreted snarks — are often part of relationships with other people. Learning to take others into account and compromise is a skill best learned young.

If you plan to be in any type of relationship that involves living with others at any point in your life, figuring out how to modify behavior or change bad habits is inevitable –– so along with the social, emotional and financial positives, roommates also bring self-awareness.

All in all, you should live how you’re most comfortable.

But if you’re on the fence, I’d say to strongly consider living with a friend or two, and upping your connection to: “and they were roommates…”

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

How to spice up your

dorm or apartment on a budget

Annabel Shen Contributing Writer As WashU students swipe into their dorms for the first time at the beginning of each year, they are greeted with the same blank canvas: a bare, twin-size bed, an empty shelf and a room full of opportunity. Yet by the time the leaves outside have transformed into their sunset of red and yellow fall colors, each room is uniquely personalized and a reflection of their owner.

The new school year often presents many challenges and questions that undergraduates ask themselves as they begin to conquer the mighty task of beautifying their room: Where should you buy decor? How much money should you spend? How do you make the decorations cohesive?

While there are popular decorations such as fairy lights, sunset lamps or loads and loads and loads of pillows (you can never have too many pillows), there are also many other ideas to personalize a room without breaking the bank.

One way to spruce up any dorm or apartment room is to add plants. And a lot of them. Many plants

can be easily purchased at your local Lowe’s, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. They often come in an assortment ranging from gigantic sunflowers to succulents.

Smaller plants such as tradescantia, aloe and lavender, to name a few, are great additions to the small ledge next to your window or on your study desk. They will not only add a pop of color to the room, but will also purify the air — and we all know college

wall. Places such as Home Depot, Costco and Walgreens print photos and offer same day pickup with prices starting as low as 20 cents per photo. While away from home, students can look at a picture wall to reminisce on good times with friends and family. There are a multitude of approaches one can take on with print: Photos can be taped onto the wall directly or

placed on clothes pins and hung from

students could use a little bit more of cleanliness.

In addition to plants, photo cards and pictures can easily cover up an entire

string across a wall. Adding a white border to the photos can even tie everything together and add an element of cohesiveness.

Thrift stores and online marketplaces also offer great deals for

some really unique and rare finds. Facebook Marketplace is a fabulous start, with offers as low as 100 dollars for a 40 inch Roku TV or cheap fridges that would definitely give UTrucking a run for its money. The thrift store Quintessential Antiques holds some extraordinary finds, such as antique clocks under a glass dome, a collection of watch faces and colossal atlas posters to hang up on walls. Treasure Aisles Antique Mall carries fun memorabilia ranging from old Coca-Cola signs to Disney figurines to vintage vinyl records.

Another great decoration idea is to repurpose broken vinyl records by painting over them with your own creations.

These are just a few of the endless possibilities on how to decorate your room to make it your new abode for the year. Each student’s dorm should be a place of comfort and rest, a haven at the end of each long day of studies and activities.

By adding each individual’s own flavor and style into the room, the WashU campus becomes like a box of chocolates: a collection of multi-colored and assorted rooms unique to every student.

Illustration by Tuesday Hadden

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

So you just screwed your roommates over:

Here’s what to do next

HN Hoffmann Senior Multimedia Editor College is a time ripe for learning how to deal with absolutely atrocious social situations that you’ve absolutely never encountered previously — approaching the stranger that’s somehow dead asleep on your common room floor, watching your floormates steal a couch out of another suite, asking your neighbors to not blast the Seinfeld theme song past midnight — anything and everything. For most undergraduates, having a roommate is socially novel enough. You probably didn’t live with roommates before college, and thus probably didn’t ever learn how to make things better when you have to live in close quarters with someone you’ve wronged.

From someone who’s a master at ruining the sanctity of shared living spaces, here are five (totally fictional) scenarios where you’ve done your roommate dirty (that I definitely didn’t cause firsthand) and how to fix them.

Setting an ant infestation loose in your shared kichen Beginner’s mistake — plants left outside probably have bugs in them, and it’s definitely a bad idea to put one in the middle of your kitchen table right after bringing it inside.

Preemptively, the best way to deal with this is to learn from my mistake and never put a plant on a food-relevant surface. But if it’s too late, and you’ve emerged from your room twenty minutes later to see several hundred

ants scuttering across your wooden tabletop, your first move is probably to apologize profusely. Curse a bit, if it fits your roommate dynamic — let the people you live with know that you actually didn’t mean to bring the ants in as some kind of emotional support animal. Then (vegans, I apologize), kill them. It’ll get you some negative karma in ant heaven, but it’ll keep your living situation cool.

Coming up behind your roommate and blowing one of those WashUbranded whistles at them as loud as possible While you could try and blame whatever metal they make those things out of (for making them so shrill and ear-piercing, because they are), it’s more responsible to immediately apologize and never do it again. This certainly isn’t the most major misstep you can make — sometimes, people just forget that things are actually more obnoxious than you expect them to be.

Same method of “apologize immediately and don’t do it again” can also be applied to the following noise-relevant situations: blasting the Seinfeld theme outside your roommate’s door, listening to “Mo Bamba” 27 times back-toback in your common room and playing the first Lord of the Rings movie really loudly through surround-sound speakers at 2 a.m.

Texting your roommate “I think [said roommate’s name] is mad at me” when you meant to text it to your mother

Maybe — and this is hard, I know — actually talk to your roommate. There’s a decent chance they aren’t actually mad at you at all, and that you just materialized an open can of worms out of thin air. Thankfully, you can likely fix this uncomfortable situation with the same thing you could’ve done before texting someone else: have a conversation. Vibe checking your roommates is totally normal, and makes for a good living space. Tossing the people you live with an occasional “How’s the space treating you?” “Is there anything I can do to be a better roommate?” or catchall “Everything good?” can fix most minor roommate scuffles before they even begin. If your roommate isn’t the type to just laugh off the accidental text and say that everything’s fine, try explaining that you’re worried about upsetting them.

If the circumstances are fairly neutral otherwise, they’ll likely appreciate knowing that you care about the state of your roomie relationship.

Shattering the wood of your shared front hallway coat closet door Pay for it. Just pay for it. It sucks, and doors are weirdly expensive, but there’s really nothing else you can do here.

There’s always a chance that your landlord won’t actually charge you for it, and you’ll get to keep the goodwill of offering to pay for it anyway!

It’s a good rule of thumb to say that anything you break, you replace, especially if it’s communal. Mess up the stainless steel sink in the kitchen? Go buy one of those fancy adult products, and see if you can fix it. Eat the entire communal bag of post-Halloween candy? Buy more. Or spend the whole year procrastinating on replacements, and just deal with it in one panicked frenzy right before break.

Accidentally inviting 70 people into your living room when both of your roommates are out At this point, if your roommates decide they never want to live with you again, take the L. But in those first few moments of realization that you’re likely causing the people you live with to have a Joker arc, try to do some damage control — kick everyone out and clean.

Ideally, you can get most folks out before your roommates even return, and if you’ve got any help, you can get things straightened out better than they ever were before anyone left home.

Illustration by Annabel Shen

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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Housing hacks Matthew Friedman Editor-in-Chief

that have gotten me

through college

Sign up for composting!

My roommates and I did this over the summer through a company called Perennial City. For $20 per month, Perennial City comes every Monday morning to pick up a bag of organic food waste from a bright green plastic bin they have provided us.

Composting is definitely only a small way we can re-

duce our negative impact on the environment — and I think the onus of fighting climate change should mainly be on institutions rather than individuals — but especially given the amount of fruit and vegetable waste we create (and the insane amount of coffee grinds we go through), it is at least a start.

Don’t put stuff in the microwave if it isn’t supposed to go in the microwave My roommates and I have noticed recently that there are little flecks of blue plastic chipping off some of our well-loved yogurt/ soup/ice cream bowls and we are now somewhat

concerned that the bowls’ microfibers have been infiltrating our bloodstreams for the last 18 months.

Please do not be like us.

Quesadillas are an easy late-night crowd-pleaser I’m not sure if I can fully take credit for this tip, since I first got the idea from my younger cousin, who started school at a liberal arts school in rural Pennsylvania during the middle of the pandemic.

When he realized there were no late-night dining options open for students on the weekends, he bought a big pack of tortillas and some cheese.

Soon enough, he was mak-

ing microwave quesadillas until two in the morning and selling them to kids on his floor for a dollar a piece. This fall, I adopted a similar strategy (albeit without charging people): Many of my friends now know that if they are in need of sustenance during or after some shenanigans, they can rely on our kitchen for gooey, cheesy goodness.

Become a Facebook Marketplace expert Look: I am no more a fan of Mark Zuckerberg than anyone else, but I will never deny the power his platform has to bring people together when they need to buy and sell things.

From a $2 drawer divider to a trusty secondhand Wii,

Facebook marketplace has been a true friend over the last few years. Figuring out how to best use the filters and how to spot the best deals will make your housing situation — whatever it might look like — a much better time.

Illustrations by Tuesday Hadden

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF:

Get the app. Stop the spread.

MO/Notify lets you know if you’ve been in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t know them.

Voluntary and private.

The Bluetooth technology doesn’t track your location or reveal your identity.

Only anonymous data is exchanged.

Leading in campus safety.

WashU is the first in the state to implement Google Apple ENX, adding a powerful tool to the arsenal for keeping our campus safe.

NOW PILOTING AT

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How to make your new

dorm or apartment

Members of the Student Life editorial staff gave recommendations for how to best make an unfamiliar place more comfortable and hospitable.

could’ve happened on that couch before it was yours.

These little additions help make your space more comfortable and less stale.

Gracie Hime Senior Cadenza Editor

Embrace your Personalize your inner “Christian space with photos Girl Autumn” — of your favorite throw pillows and knitted blankets people, places and things

If you have a couch or side chairs, spruce them up!

Add a couch cover, some decorative throw pillows, and a blanket and it makes it very homey. Not to mention, the couch cover helps hide the possible things that

Decorating your dorm or apartment with personal pictures can turn a genericfeeling room into your room. Line your desk with photos of your family, friends, pets and favorite

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feel like home

places and maybe even create a photo collage for one of your empty walls.

This is a great way to make your living space feel like home and a good alternative to buying expensive art or decor.

Grace Kennard Senior News Editor

Keep the good tunes rolling If you play a musical instrument, bring it! I currently have a little family of acoustic instruments with me in my dorm room — “Lucifer” my ukulele — “Cleveland” my guitalele and “Cholula” my guitar. Playing music with friends has been such a comforting part of my college experience. Jamming out reminds me of playing music with my brother and is one of the greatest ways to decompress during busy weeks.

Julia Robbins Senior Scene Editor

Make your place home base One of the most comforting things about any home is the people that inhabit it–– and often, the more the merrier. Having friends stop by during the week, and filling your place with the voices and laughter of people you care about is the fastest way to make it feel like home. Invite people over on weekends, have a supply of snacks and a few comfy places to sit, and make it clear you’re welcome to drop-by visits and you’re set to become

the go-to hangout space.

Olivia Poolos Senior Scene Editor

A good smelling home is a happy home Candles are always a great way to make a space feel like home. There are so many different scents to choose from to make your space smell and feel how you want it to. Plus, the candles themselves can be really cute sources of decoration even when they’re not lit. If you can’t light candles in your space, but still want to relish in the fun scents, you can use an oil diffuser or incense!

They’ll still spice up your living space even without the open flame.

Sabrina Spence Senior Social Media Editor

Get a pet, or at least a stuffed one Full disclosure: I do not have a pet in my apartment.

However, I do have a large, off-brand Pillow Pet living on my couch that my roommate and I got at Aldi for about $15. We aren’t really sure what animal it’s actually supposed to be. We think it may be a cat, but because of its width it looks more like a manta ray, so we named it Manta Rae Jepsen after my favorite Canadian pop princess (sorry, Céline).

While we’d love a real pet, Manta is the perfect replacement, and we treat her like family.

Jaden Satenstein Senior Multimedia Editor

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

Luxury Living in the Central West End Secured Indoor Parking • Pets Welcomed • On the Metro Bus Line Fitness Center • Outdoor Terrace • Screened Balconies Resident Internet Lounge • Decorative Fireplaces Spacious Closets • Crown Molding • Parquet Wood Flooring NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: 4615LINDELL@BIANCOPROPERTIES.COM 4615 LINDELL BLVD - ST. LOUIS MO 63108 CALL: 314-367-1207 OR VISIT: PRESIDENTPARKROYAL.COM

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Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

EX C S T LU SP UD SIV EC EN E IA T LS

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

Student Life presents:

Housing Guide

2021

Welcome to Student Life's Housing Guide!

Curious what the residence halls look like?

Can't figure out where you want to live next year? We've got you covered. This section of the Housing Guide includes photos of each housing option, a summary of what the option provides, pros and cons about living there, pricing and walk time to campus. Room rates are current for the 20212022 academic year. The online version of the housing guide, which you can find by scanning this QR code, also includes interior photos of many options so that you can see what dorms look like. Good luck with your housing process!

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

South 40

modern dorms

$13,724 (single) | $12,350 (double)

Modern Residential Colleges: Park, Mudd, Danforth, Shepley, Wheeler, Lien, Gregg, Nemerov, Dardick, Thomas Eliot, Eliot B, Liggett, Koenig, Umrath, Zetcher

Danforth

Koenig

Lien

Dardick

Eliot B

Eliot A

Gregg

Liggett

Photo Credits: Holly Ravazzolo, Jessie Colston, AB Brooks, Michaela Lange, Rachel Roberts, Nina Bergman, Nancy Yang, Stephen Huber

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

Ask About Our Specials

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

South 40

modern dorms Nemerov

Mudd

Park

Shepley

Umrath

Over 51 years serving the Washington University Community!

NOW LEASING: 1, 2 & 3 bedroom units available with Leases Starting June 1, 2022

Wheeler

Roberts Realty Company 3229 S. Brentwood, St. Louis MO, 63119 Andy Roberts - 314-568-8917 RobertsRealty@gmail.com

Zetcher Photo Credits: Claire Komyati, Katie Ehrlich, Elle Su, Skyler Kessler, Joachim Vaturi

South 40 traditional dorms

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

$13,364 (single)

Traditional Residential Colleges: Lee, Beaumont, Hitzeman, Hurd, Myers, Shanedling, Dauten, Rutledge

Studio, 1, & 2 Bedrooms Private Balcony* Renovated Interiors* Wood Look Floors Granite Countertops Controlled Access Entry Covered Parking Garage Resident Media Lounge 2 Fitness Centers

Shanedling

50% OFF APPLICATION, ADMIN & PET FEE PROMO CODE:

WASHU22

Beaumont

Learn more at:

CityViewLife.com 314-408-2507

Rutledge

110 N. 17th Street St. Louis, MO 63103 Photo Credits: Skyler Kessler, Ariel Vasser

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

50% OFF APPLICATION, ADMIN & PET FEE PROMO CODE:

WASHU22

4466 Greenwich Court | St. Louis, MO 63108

4475 W Pine Blvd | St. Louis, MO 63108

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

South 40 traditional dorms Myers

Lee

Hitzeman

Hurd

Dauten Photo Credits: Skyler Kessler, Allison Hamburg, Maddy Underwood, Jennifer Ra, Rohan Gupta, Ariel Vasser

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

the

Lofts & Greenway $14,294 (one-, twoand three-bedrooms) Overview: Living in The Lofts gives WashU students a taste of city life along with some updated amenities.

Pros: The Loop can be a fun location Apartments are wellfurnished and include dishwasher/garbage disposal Full-sized beds Cons: Far from Danforth Campus

the Lofts

Walk Times: To Brookings: 18 minutes To the DUC: 20 minutes

$13,724 (one-, two- and three-bedrooms) Overview: Greenway offers unique townhouse-style living for many of its three-bedroom units. Located between Danforth Campus and the Delmar Loop, these units offer great value for students looking to live off campus.

Pros: Street and dedicated parking for those with cars Spacious and well-furnished Unique townhouse layout for some units Cons: Non-townhouse units can feel like a dorm No dishwashers Low social interaction in townhouses Walk Times: To Brookings: 12 minutes To the DUC: 12 minutes To the Loop: 2 minutes

Greenway Photo Credit: Brian Cui

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

MODERN 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS in the CENTRAL WEST END

LESS THAN 5 MILES TO WASH U Controlled Access Building & Gated Parking Garages Available Saltwater Pool with Cabanas, Fire Pits & Outdoor Kitchens 24-Hour Fitness Center Rich Plank Flooring Pet Friendly with Pet Spa Two, Modern Community Clubrooms with Fireplace Fully-Equipped Kitchens Private Patios & Balcones (select units) Full Washer/Dryer Included in Unit n

n

n

n

n

High-End Finishes

n

Ceiling Fans

n

USB Ports

3940 West Pine Blvd | 314.376.4477 | PiazzaOnWestPine.com Managed & Leased by:

www.2BResidential.com

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2

INCREDIBLE COMMUNITIES FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT

ASK ABOUT

WASH U SPECIALS!

OUR

The Euclid STL 40 N Euclid Ave www.theeuclidstl.com 314.787.2013 New Building, Central West End 2.2 miles to Wash U 2 blocks to Medical Center

The Residences at Forest Park 4910 W Pine Blvd www.residencesforestpark.com 314.367.3300 Historic, Central West End 2.2 miles to Wash U 2 blocks to Medical Center

CONTROLLED ACCESS BUILDINGS | MANAGEMENT ON-SITE | 24-HOUR MAINTENANCE CONCIERGE LEVEL SERVICE | GATED & GARAGE PARKING AVAILABLE Managed & Leased by:

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Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

& East Village Millbrook

$16,706 (four-bedrooms and some three-bedrooms) Overview: Located in close proximity to the Danforth Campus, Village East includes well-maintained units that many students want. However, the units are also the most expensive available Pros: Very convenient to Danforth Campus Well-furnished and nice Two bathrooms in most apartments

Cons: The most expensive housing option Dorm-like feel Some noise from streets and fraternity houses

Village East

Walk Times: To Brookings: 11 minutes To the DUC: 8 minutes To the Loop: 9 minutes

$14,498 (four- or fiveperson suites) Overview: For people looking to stay close to campus while having the amenities of an apartment, Millbrook provides a great value. Millbrook also has an outdoor pool that is open during the summer months Pros: Some units include balconies Large common spaces and well-furnished Very convenient to Danforth Campus Cons: No elevators in buildings Walls are thin Units have outdated appliances Walk Times: To Brookings: 11 minutes To the DUC: 7 minutes To the Loop: 10 minutes

Millbrook Photo Credit: Jamie Nicholson, Emily Schienvar

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

6665Wash Ave &

6678 Wash Ave/520 Kingsland Ave $16,376 (three-bedrooms) Overview: Each three-bedroom apartment in this building has three bathrooms and inapartment laundry. But these amenities are reflected in high prices.

Pros: Very spacious and nice 1:1 bedroom to bathroom ratio True apartment-style living Cons: One of the more expensive housing options Occasional noise issues in the building Far from Danforth Campus compared to the Village

6665 Wash Ave $16,376 (three-bedrooms) Overview: These two virtually identical buildings contain six threebedroom apartments, each with three bathrooms and free in-unit laundry. They’re also among the most expensive housing options.

Walk Times: To Brookings: 15 minutes To the DUC: 15 minutes To the Loop: 2 minutes

6678 Wash Ave

Pros: Very spacious and nice In-unit laundry 1:1 bedroom to bathroom ratio

Cons: One of the more expensive housing options No computer lab No elevator

520 Kingsland Ave

Walk Times: To Brookings: 15 minutes To the DUC: 15 minutes To the Loop: 3 minutes Photo Credits: Stephen Huber, Curran Neenan

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

Each of our communities in St. Louis feature:

-On-Site, Award Winning Management -24-Hour Emergency Maintenance -Convenient Online Services, like Rent Payment -Amenity Packages Designed to Fit our Residents

ASK ABOUT OUR STUDENT ADVANTAGE PROGRAM FOR AMAZING SAVINGS!

CONVENT GARDENS Studio, One and Two Bedrooms 8 minutes from WashU

314.535.1618 conventgardens.com

DEL CORONADO

Studio, One and Two Bedrooms 6 minutes from WashU

314.367.4949 delcoronadostl.com

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

Village Lopata

the

&

$13,724 (single) Overview: The Village House and Lopata House are attractive options for upperclassmen looking for a community similar to the South 40. The Village House’s dining hall, mailroom and convenient location help outweigh the drawback of not having a common room in each four-person suite.

Pros: Convenient to Danforth Campus The Village eatery and small grocery store are nearby Four-person suites have two bathrooms each

Lopata

Village House Cons: No common rooms for suites Sophomore students may feel isolated from the South 40 Noise from fraternity houses can be annoying

Walk Times: To Brookings: 12 minutes To the DUC: 9 minutes To the Loop: 16 minutes

Photo Credit: Skyler Kessler, Jamie Nicholson

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Student Life | Housing Guide Fall 2021

Rosedale & U Drive $11,582 (one-, twoand three-bedrooms) Overview: While Rosedale is one of the furthest options from Danforth Campus, its value and dedicated Gold Line bus stop make up for it.

Pros: Very spacious Relatively inexpensive compared to other WashU housing options.

Close to Forest Park and the Loop Cons: Very far from the Danforth Campus Small showers

Rosedale

Walk Times: To Brookings: 12 minutes To the DUC: 20 minutes To the Loop: 7 minutes

$13,724 (mostly three-bedrooms, with few two- or four-bedrooms) Overview: While some units can feel a bit outdated, the University Drive apartments offer true apartment living while being extremely close to campus.

Pros: Very spacious Free parking Convenient to Danforth Campus Cons: Some units can feel outdated The MetroLink line at Forest Park Parkway creates some noise No dishwashers

Walk Times: To Brookings: 9 minutes To the DUC: 10 minutes To the Loop: 10 minutes

U Drive Photo Credit: Stephen Huber, Holden Hindes

Housing Guide Fall 2021 | Student Life

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Inspiring Community Spaces - Expansive Sky Lounge and Lobby - Dog Park and Fitness Studio - Resort-Style Courtyard and Pool

Amazing Location - Steps from Forest Park - Best Highway Access in St. Louis

Coveted Amenities - High-Speed WiFi Throughout Building - Underground Parking - State of the Art Fitness Center

Award-Winning Service - Five-Star Property Management Team - 24/7 Maintenance and Concierge

5700 Highlands Plaza Drive 314-833-6100 www.encore.apartments