Ask An Out-Of-State Freshman Parent

<p>^^On the current student page there is a link on the right to off-campus services. Under FAQs there is a list of self-storage places mostly based on proximity to campus (USC doesn’t endorse any one). On this page students can also sign up to see listings, etc. Not sure how it works since a student needs to sign up for access with email id/password. Also information there about upcoming off-campus housing fair and some informational webinars for parents.</p>

<p>***aimed at previous questions but don’t want to confuse anyone. All freshmen have housing.</p>

<p>My daughter is from long Island and loves USC… go down there and embrace southern culture, especially if it is new to you… they are so eager and proud to teach you the southern way…it is a great school with a diverse student body and she would never think of going anywhere else…GO GAMECOCKS 4 LIFE</p>

<p>What size are the beds in Honors, or any dorms? I assumed twin, but now someone told me they are twin-long?</p>

<p>S shared an off campus storage unit with one other person his first two years.Took the second smallest size unit I think it was a Public storage.Make sure you pick something thats air conditioned since it will be a long hot, humid summer and if your kid is anything like mine the stored bedding etc will NOT have been washed (yuck).It really wasnt a problem but make sure to reserve a unit prob around the time they get back from spring break.someone will have a car to transport stuff I’m sure. Public storage llets you pay the bills online so thats easy too.</p>

<p>aristrutz - In honors residence hall all beds are XL twins.</p>

<p>Almost all dorms are twin XL.</p>

<p>I think the only ones that aren’t might be in the Women’s Quad which is getting shut down… Not totally sure though, but every dorm I’ve been in has had twin XL.</p>

<p>^^Rutledge on horseshoe is regular twins…so some other dorms that haven’t been redone might be also. I know there’s a comparison housing chart somewhere with that info.</p>

<p>Like most, my son is moving off-campus for his sophomore year…seems there are several good choices of fully furnished apartments that include utilities and nice amenities for around $500 per month, and even with a 4-bedroom each lease is separate. Don’t recall that back when I was in college…</p>

<p>Any places that people have heard bad things and should stay away from?</p>

<p>^The Lofts lower levels are really bad with flooding.</p>

<p>I have a friend who lives on the top floor and has had no problems though.</p>

<p>I’ve heard Riverside has a problem with mold, but others have said it is fine.</p>

<p>The Woodlands is netoriously nicknamed “The Hoodlands” and has reports of some criminal activity, but if Michael Roth lived there, it’s probably good enough for a normal student.</p>

<p>Overall, I think most of the off-campus student options are good.</p>

<p>$500 a month is actually cheaper than what you would find on campus AND you get more space for your money. The only catch is convenience of location.</p>

<p>AU Girl,
What kind of criminal activity?! My son just signed a lease there!</p>

<p>^I wouldn’t worry too much and I’m sorry if I scared you. I have friends who currently live there and enjoy it.</p>

<p>That being said, the Woodlands does have a marred record. There was the infamous pool party at the beginning of the year and other things.</p>

<p>Article from the Daily Gamecock: [Week</a> of crime at Woodlands](<a href=“http://www.dailygamecock.com/index.php/multimedia-11/item/4659-week-of-crime-at-woodlands]Week”>http://www.dailygamecock.com/index.php/multimedia-11/item/4659-week-of-crime-at-woodlands)</p>

<p>Wow. I hope things have calmed down there now…</p>

<p>My son is now going to move into a 4-bedroom at Riverside…some reviews I read were great and others were so-so, but he visits friends who live there and the feedback is really positive. And at $455/month furnished including utilities, it’s pretty darn reasonable.</p>

<p>As I told him, if it ends up being worse than advertised, he can move again next year…I lived in far worse in my younger years, and it’s already leaps and bounds above the overpriced, dinky room he has in the dorm.</p>