<p>Which do you guys think is the better option, or what most people tend to do? I'm stuck between opting for a single dorm next year, or living off-campus with a few other people. Or possibly by myself, if I could find somewhere cheap enough.</p>
<p>I'd like to live somewhere relatively quiet and commute, but most of the "popular" apartments seem to be really loud (West Campus) or have high crime rates (Riverside). Any suggestions?</p>
<p>My son, a sophomore next year, is going to live in the Taos coop, because it seems like a good in-between step. It’s a little more than half the cost of Jester (room and board). They expect four or five hours of work a week, which seems reasonable. He and my husband toured it and liked it. It’s on Guadalupe, right across the street from the campus. It is very convenient to the biomedical engineering building, where he will be a lot.</p>
<p>Are coops as insane as they say? My friend lives in one and she goes drinking and gets high like every night of the week with people from her coop. o_o</p>
<p>Yeah Coop’s , in my opinion, are no bueno. It’s pretty rowdy and you can never get anything do or sleep. Most sophomores stay in dorms for another year and move out (especially those who live in San Jac/Duren). If you do want to live off campus, apartments or a sweet condo deal is the way to go.</p>
<p>where are some good places for condos or apartments? I would prefer to live by myself but if I have to I would consider living with roommates. Lets act like budget isn’t an issue (within reason) so where are the nicest places to live?</p>
<p>My main concern is price… I had originally intended on living in San Jac or Duren my sophomore year, but I’ve been told that most apartments run for much cheaper and are a lot more spacious. And I don’t want to be living on campus if the dorms are mostly freshman. Is that usually the case? :/</p>
<p>Yes, the dorms are mostly freshman. And don’t live at the co-op unless you intend to party-harty, because as buriedalie said… they’re just drug houses, essentially. (Don’t get me wrong… the co-op people are nice and it’s a nice concept to share chores and whatnot, but it is what it is, and it’s not a good study environment)</p>
<p>So, is Duren a good dorm for upperclassmen? Would I have a good chance of getting a single if I’m a sophomore?</p>
<p>I think I might be leaning towards an apartment, though.</p>
<p>Sigh, now I don’t know what to do for my son’s living arrangements next year. We included only the co-op cost in our college budget. Ack.</p>
<p>I heard they have a nudist co op, maybe your son would be interested in that mainelonghorn</p>
<p>:-D</p>
<p>Sorry MaineLonghorn, I really regret having said that. I don’t have any firsthand experience with co-ops. I’m sure it varies by a) the person and b) the co-op. My friend that lives in a co-op doesn’t live in Taos, and she’s also a party animal (though, if it helps any, she’s in Engineering Honors and speaks 4 languages).</p>
<p>Co-ops depend on the person and which one. The one I was in last year was probably the tamest one but we had our share of crazy parties and mishaps. It wasn’t a drughouse or anything though I know people did do drugs but they did it discretely. I don’t drink so it’s possible to do fine there without all that kind of stuff. </p>
<p>It really depends. And going there and touring and having dinner doesn’t really help you decide if you can live there or not. It’s kinda hard to explain what it’s like there.</p>
<p>I mean, if you can’t afford anything else…I guess co-ops are okay. I suggest the super coop that has Halstead, Nueces and Laurel in it. Taos allows people who are not students to live there so your kid could get roomed with some random adult or something. I would def stay away from 21st Street co-op if you are not into partying. </p>
<p>Otherwise I would do an apartment. There are a ton of them and they can be cheap depending on if you are willing to room with someone else in a 4 bedroom or something.</p>
<p>(sorry to hijack the thread) Is it too early in the game to start looking for apartments for next Fall in the North Campus area?</p>
<p>I’ve heard mostly bad things about co-ops. They’ve all been mentioned here (lots of druggies/hippies, no rules, lots of late night noise, sketchy people.) However, the pros include good locations (some), an opportunity for close friends, and cheap housing. I guess it really depends on what a person is looking for.</p>
<p>I think North Campus is a great option; it’s where lots of professors and grad students stay… or so I’ve heard. West Campus has lots of frats and partying and Riverside… well, just don’t live there.</p>
<p>@MaineLonghorn, I got a sick feeling in my stomach for you as I started reading through the threads after you recommended a co-op. I’ve don’t know a thing about co-ops but I would sure check in to it now if I were you 
Maybe start a new thread and start asking around?</p>
<p>@buriedalie - I don’t think it’s too late to start looking for apartments. My son and his roommates are already on a wait list for next year. I’ve read some posts that you can get a better deal if you wait till the last minute, but I would be a little nervous about that.</p>
<p>not all co-ops are drug houses; thats a big misconception. the ones i know…they’re actually safe and homey. everybody is friends and they work together. they make dinner for everyone monday through thursday. they have standards about things being kept clean in the commons. i like them. they’re good people; most not all, its very diverse - just like anywhere else.</p>
<p>its not for everyone though and they do through parties. i like it.</p>