Campus Connection

By UW-L student Scott Schell The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has the second lowest prices for off-campus housing in Wisconsin and Minnesota. UW-L trails UW-Eau Claire and has comparable prices to geographic neighbor Winona State University. “On average, I’ve paid $250 dollars a month with all utilities paid for except electric, and I have had two roommates every year,” said UW-Eau Claire student Ryan Kuula. UW-L students’ rent average ranges depending on the number of rooms for rent. One-bedroom rental prices average $371. Two-bedroom apartments average $654 in price. Three-bedroom rentals average prices are $763. Four-bedroom apartments near UW-L average $1,021 in price. Five-bedroom rentals average a total price of $1,495. Prices mentioned do not include utilities such as electric, heat, water, internet/cable, sewage and garbage. Some landlords include utilities with rent, but at a higher price. “Students attending schools in large cities end up paying double, if not triple what we pay for rent. It’s ridiculous,” said UW-L student Anna Dricken. Urban expense is a factor for large schools. UW-Madison’s rental prices are the highest averaging between $550-$700 per person. The University of Minnesota has the second highest prices ranging from $500-$650 per person. Price range is dependent on number of rooms for rental. “Big Ten schools like Madison and the U of M may have higher off-campus prices, but I’m getting an exceptional education, and I get to experience a beautiful city as well,” said UW-Madison student Cody Miller. Living in a smaller town has its benefits too, says UW-L student Nathan Jones. “UW-L students have so much accessible compared to other campuses," Jones says. "We have all necessities within walking distance. It’s nice to not have to bus across a large city in order to get to class.”

The big move

by UW-L student Brittany Beyer Moving off campus for the first time can be a big step for many college students.  Many UW-L students have mixed emotions about paying rent, cooking and living completely on their own. Former Eagle Maroon resident assistant Nicole Meulemans moved off campus for the first time this fall and she's seeing the pluses and minuses. On the plus side, “Living off campus is less expensive and I’m able to separate school and home life, so I feel more like a real person,” Meulemans says. The down side: “I don’t like the distance, cooking my own food, and roommates who don’t clean. It’s also very loud on the weekends and there’s a lack of community and people to hang out with. I also never hear about programs going on on campus,” she adds. Senior Tom Schmidt agrees with Meulemans about missing the social atmosphere. “I really miss having people around all the time,” Schmidt says. Junior Kayla Lentz says there are trade offs whether you live on or off campus. Now that she's living off she feels she has more freedom and fewer obligations. “I like not having mandatory house meetings and people making me feel bad when I don’t go to programs.”  But she admits she really liked living on campus. "Maybe I’m just one of those weird kids, but it was so much closer and everything was already paid for and I didn’t have as much to worry about.”