First-year students have it easy. They check a website that tells them where they live and who their roommates are. After first year, however, living arrangements become more complicated.
While there are many factors that go into off-Grounds apartment hunting, the choice that most strongly affects quality of life is far more esoteric than roommates or even distance from Grounds. Instead, the most pivotal choice for living arrangements boils down to the following: whether or not to live in "old" or "new" housing. Students who chose the former have found both benefits and detriments living in more antiquated buildings.
Many older apartments in the Charlottesville area were built during the mid-1970s when the University opened to female students and demand for off-Grounds housing grew.
University Circle - home to both students and Charlottesville families - qualifies as an "older" area. 32 University Circle, for example, was built in 1947 and is owned by University Prof. Ed Burton and family.
"With older buildings, owners definitely want to try to make the units more comfortable and attractive where possible, like adding air conditioning, in-unit washer/dryers, overhead lighting/ceiling fans, upgraded appliances, etc.," Property Manager Brian Roy said.
But he added that some buildings are too old to add new features, such as central air, without a significant amount of redesign. With such circumstances, owners may settle for window units while they upgrade other features of the apartment, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Regardless of the convenience and comfort of modern features, though, owners of older properties are intent on maintaining the charm of such buildings. Roy, for example, emphasized the importance of preserving the historical character of aged homes; several charming features of 32 University Circle, for example, have been preserved, such as door knockers and mailboxes.
Third-year College student Rachael Eller, who lives in Jack Jouett apartments on University Way, said she and her roommate love old and antique objects and that the age of the apartment played a deciding factor in her housing search.
"This place stole our hearts the minute we saw it," she said. "This building is extremely unique and positively bursting at the seams with character."
Her building was built during the 1920s and has high ceilings, hard wood floors, glass door knobs and crown molding.
Eller described her location as "slightly tucked away," among trees, family homes and distinct architecture. Unlike many of the Corner apartments, none of the apartments surrounding Eller's are exactly the same.
Eller has yet to encounter any issues with her old apartment, other than creaking doors and floors, but she says they only add to the charm.
Second-year College student Kate Robbins, meanwhile, chose 64 University Way, another older building, because she and her roommates desired a more scenic living environment.
"I definitely feel I have more of a 'home' than my friends who live in newer apartments," she said.
Despite Robbins' love of her surroundings, she added that she was envious of some of her friends' proximity to the Corner. The age of the building also can be tiresome, as the lack of air conditioning and troublesome old appliances can be rather inconvenient.
"The bathroom sink is original to the building and we are lucky to get a steady trickle from it," Robbins said.
She also admitted her apartment has a pet - and not one of their own choosing. It seems a small mouse has taken up residence at 64 University Way.
"When I saw a mouse here, I was by myself and called my dad crying, but I haven't seen it since then," Robbins said.
Perhaps another student would find the additional roommate charming. Robbins, however, might pass.
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