<p>Okay so I continue to hear from people how nice The Varsity Apartments are but how expensive they can be so I did some research and I found some very contradictory information. College Board says that UMD room and board is about $10,000 a year excluding the $2000 meal plan. I checked the Varsity, View, and Enclave sites for their rates and I was surprised to see their cheaper leasing rates. For a 4 bed & bath apartment at The Enclave you are paying $699/installment monthly and that includes "an all inclusive utility package" and all that other junk. So if you do the math for a 10 month lease, you are paying $7000, $300 cheaper than UMD's on campus housing. The Varsity for a 4 bedroom and 4 bath is $960 per month and includes a flat screen tv!
So I am wondering, why are students saying that these luxurious apartments are too expensive/ why are all the students NOT trying to live in these apartments instead of the (from what i calculated) more expensive and just crappy dorms at CP??? Is there something I'm missing?</p>
<p>Here is a chart from Fall 2011 comparing costs in dorms vs. off-campus housing. Keep in mind that most off-campus housing require 12 month leases. Unless you need summer housing, the dorms only require 8 months of payments.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.resnet.umd.edu/housingoutlook/global/pdf/costoflivingcomparisons.pdf[/url]”>http://www.resnet.umd.edu/housingoutlook/global/pdf/costoflivingcomparisons.pdf</a></p>
<p>I’m not sure CollegeBoard is accurate. $10,000 is what it is when you include the meal plan, not exclude it. The cost of just the dorm is about $5800 a year, meal plans are roughly $4000 for a full year. [University</a> of Maryland - Tuition](<a href=“http://www.admissions.umd.edu/finaid/tuition.cfm]University”>http://www.admissions.umd.edu/finaid/tuition.cfm)</p>
<p>Also off-campus is still off-campus. Much more convenient to live on campus than off it and have to either take a bus or walk a long way to get to classes every day. Also, like momofapplicant said, apartments (including Commons/Courtyards) are 12-month leases. That means you pay for it in the summer, regardless of whether you’re living there or not. Some people try to sub-lease it to someone but not everyone is able to.</p>
<p>I lived in Varsity for 3 semesters. Appartment is very nice. I share it with 4 other guys. Each has separate bedroom with bathroom. Nice kitchen. Very secure. Close to everything. It is a bit more expensive than leaving in a dorm and sharing one room with 2 other stratengers. But it is worth it. Really helps when I need to prepare for exams.</p>
<p>I will be going to study abroad for one semester and need for some one to take over my lease starting January. As incentive, I will pay $2,000 for someone to take over my lease from January to August. Excellent deal for someone who will study in Spring and Summer 2013. Basically, we can work it out that Summer 2013 is free for you. </p>
<p>You are welcome to sent me an email at arozenv yahoo.com if you like to learn more about it. </p>
<p>Even if you do not email or do not take my place, I still recommend Varsity.</p>
<p>Robert.</p>
<p>If I get accepted into UMD (Which I doubt I will), I will live in the Mazza Grandmarc apartments</p>
<p>Hey, </p>
<p>if you are still in need of someone to take up your place for that time. Contact me asap. </p>
<p>Juni</p>
<p>Don’t bother renting here. They lie about almost everything. I currently live here and the noise level from the bar downstairs is beyond belief. The walls and floors vibrate til 3 a.m. and I live on the 3rd floor. My room mates have been forced to go home on weekends to survive. Complaints to police, Looney’s, owners of Varsity and Varsity manage ment fall on deaf ears. </p>
<p>Wow. Sorry to hear it carkid. But I can imagine it. My D is a frosh at UMd and lives on campus. I’ll warn her off of varsity in the future. Having had a couple of brewski’s at Looneys, I get it about the volume!</p>