Penn State off-campus housing considered “too pricey”?

Is cost of rent for student housing off campus too much? Well student Zach Hall thinks so. Currently a Junior studying actuarial science, he believes that the cost of rent for apartments off-campus are “too pricey”.

“I have friends who wanted me to live with them at Campus Towers,” Hall said. “But I didn’t want to pay over $1,000 a month. Parents weren’t on board either.”

Hall works at Kohls department store during the summer and holiday breaks. His boss has given him the option to pick up shifts if he was ever home for a weekend during the semester, which Hall has done a few times for extra spending money.

He lives in a townhouse at The Station, an off-campus student housing center on Toftrees Ave. There he lives with four of his roommates with monthly rent of $770 per person. It is roughly a seven-minute bus ride to campus, which Hall takes every day to commute to his classes. He, however, doesn’t mind this at all and has no regrets whatsoever.

“I like it,” Hall said. “It has its share of problems but it’s better than the dorms and rent isn’t outrageous.”

Steven Young, a freshman studying Mechanical Engineering, is currently living in McKee Hall with his roommate. As to where he will stay next year, he admitted to not giving it much thought. He mainly focuses on his schoolwork which he described as “a lot.” Young isn’t much interested in moving into an apartment and is perfectly fine with where he’s at now.

“McKee Hall provides good living I would say. I’m probably just going to stay there next year.”

The cost of living off-campus isn’t a contributing factor for Young when it comes to his decision as he grew up in “fortunate living.” But more so is pleased with his current living arrangement at the dorms.

Bianca Herskovits, a freshman studying communications, is excited about getting out of the dorms and living in an apartment next school year. Her and three friends will be moving into the Diplomat, a furnished apartment located on East Beaver Ave. which is walking distance to Old Main on campus.

The Diplomat, described on its website as “the prime pick for PSU off campus housing”, has monthly rent at the cost of $1,029 per person. The rent includes heat and air conditioning, electricity, internet, sewer/water, trash removal and 24-hour maintenance. The cost, however, hasn’t dampened Herskovits excitement.

“It’s fine,” Herskovits said about the cost of rent. “(I’m) not too worried about it.”

Josh Vigil, a sophomore studying public health, lives at Beaver Plaza with his roommate at a monthly cost of $1,100 per person. He and his roommate are planning to stay there again next school year.

“I like living there,” Vigil said. “Not a bad walk to my classes.”

Beaver Plaza, located on West Beaver Ave., is just one block away from west Penn State campus. A 2-to-5-minute walk. Haley Heiser, an ARPM rental agent described Beaver Plaza as a “good spot for students that provides a lot of essentials.” These essentials include its own laundry facility, TV and Internet services, and is fully furnished. It also has its own parking space for students.

As for where rent is concerned, Vigil didn’t have much of an opinion on the matter.

“It is what it is,” Vigil said.