In the months and weeks leading up to signing a lease, most students will receive countless emails from apartment companies offering deals and encouragement to sign for the next year. Apartments are fun, but if you’re looking for a unique living experience, consider leasing a house. House living will offer all the advantages of apartment living but with the added bonus of the chance to live with more friends and host larger parties and events in your space. They also offer a chance to live a comfortable distance from the chaos of campus. However, houses take a bit more preparation than other apartments when it comes to signing and moving in, so here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare for house living.

With a house comes far more space. You’ll have many of the same offerings as apartments such as a living room, bedrooms, kitchen, and bath, but you’ll also most likely have a backyard, a basement or even a spare room or two. This can be great for storage and for hosting guests. If you’ve previously lived in an apartment or dorm, where you’re fighting to fit in all of your things, managing and preparing for it can feel overwhelming. But more space really just means you have more room to decorate and make your housing situation a home. Before moving in anywhere, it’s always good to coordinate with your roommates about purchasing living necessities and supplies. But before you move into a house, make sure you understand your space and come up with a plan for filling it up so that it feels cozy. Without plenty of furniture and fun decor, your house might feel too big and empty for your comfort.

One of the best parts about living in a house is that most houses offer outdoor spaces like a backyard and a porch. Sure, apartments have balconies and concrete patios, but they don’t offer the same level of peace and privacy that a house will. When you look for houses, make sure that you are considering the quality of the outdoor space as much as the interior. Many backyards even have fire pits and grills, so prepare for some great outdoor evenings with roommates and friends.

For many prospective house leasers, the location can be a deterrent. Most of the houses available for student living are located west of First Street in Champaign or east of Lincoln Avenue in Urbana which is further away from campus than most student apartments. But don’t let a little extra walk to class deter you from moving into one. It’s worth it to have the experience of living in a house. If you don’t have a car, make sure you’re aware of the MTD bus schedule and routes. It’s more than likely you won’t have to walk more than a couple of blocks to a stop. Plus, the chance to live in a new neighborhood and enjoy some peace and quiet at the end of the day is worth it.

Katie is a senior in LAS 

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