SHANE TOPONC
Students traveling far from home have the new responsibility to find a place to live while studying at BYU. It is not always an easy task.
Students start early tracking down the perfect apartment. Perfect would be one that doesn't cost too much, one that has a great social atmosphere, and one that is within walking distance to BYU.
Although on campus housing may sound like this perfect place, many students place on campus housing at the bottom of their list.
'I think that living on-campus is a freshman experience, one that you have to have as a freshman. I don't think upperclassmen would feel as comfortable living in the dorms,' said Mary Otis, a junior studying public relations.
For many, cost is a deciding factor in apartment selection. For men, BYU approved off-campus housing rent can be anywhere from $150 for a shared bedroom per month, to as much as $270 per month for a private room.
Women's BYU approved off-campus housing figures also range from $170 for a shared room to $260 per month for a private room.
Heritage Halls is a typical apartment style of living. Six roommates share 3 bedrooms. Rent for the year is $1,649, which translates to about 8 payments of around $206.
Deseret Towers and Helaman Halls are more dormitory like. Two students share one bedroom. Food is provided for the students as part of rent package price. Rent for the year is between $3,805 and $4090.
Married off-campus housing can be quite expensive. Rent prices can range from $300 for a one bedroom apartment to $500 plus. Married couples are usually also responsible for paying all of their own utilities.
On-campus housing can save married couples a lot of money. The rent at Wymount Terrace ranges from $345 per month for a one bedroom apartment to $430 per month for a three bedroom apartment.
'We moved to Wymount because we were able to have another room and pay the same rent that we were paying for a small studio apartment off-campus,' said Brett Anderson a junior form Alaska majoring in business.
'On-campus housing eliminates the commute to school and dealing with landlords who don't always look out for your best interest,' said John Starkweather a student from Grand Junction, Co.
The one drawback to on-campus married housing is getting in. There is an incredibly long waiting list. The average length of waiting for Wymount terrace is one year. It is important to plan ahead for those wanting to get in to married student housing.
Wyview Park, the second facility BYU has for married housing, is currently under construction. '150 trailers are being ripped out to break way for 426, two and three bedroom apartment units,' said David Hunt, director of Housing Services at BYU.
Along with the 426 apartments, construction of a large multi-purpose building is underway. This building will house a laundry room, offices and a convenience store similar to the store located at Wymount terrace, Hunt said. Construction is projected to be completed sometime in 1998.