Every fall, thousands of University students sign leases for apartments on campus. Among decisions made about roommates, price and size, a choice must be made whether to live in Champaign or Urbana. While the two cities lay side by side, they have differences in housing policies, pricing and overall atmosphere that may have some crossing Wright Street into Urbana this fall.

While many overlook Urbana because they think it is far from campus, the majority of the University actually lies in Urbana. Plenty of residence halls such as Allen Hall, Busey-Evans, LAR, PAR and FAR are also part of Urbana, as well as a number of sorority houses and many academic buildings.

Andy Smith, senior in LAS, lived in Champaign last year but opted for an apartment in Urbana this fall.

“I like living in Urbana better, and all my classes are just as close, if not closer,” Smith said.

Residents may have a harder time finding buses that run through Urbana.

“It’s not that Urbana is really far, its actually close to the main Quad, there just aren’t as many buses that go over here. The only really useful one is the Green,” said Mandy Kruisbrink, sophomore in LAS.

Both Smith and Kruisbrink said they chose Urbana because apartments tend to run cheaper there.

Those looking to be environmentally friendly may find Urbana more accommodating. Urbana houses and apartments have free recycling collection while those in Champaign have to take their recyclables to a drop-off three miles off campus. These and other tenant rights can be found at tenantunion.uiuc.edu.

Atmospheres also seem to differ in the twin cities, with Urbana known for being more mellow and less developed.

“It’s definitely a little quieter here than in Champaign,” Kruisbink said.

Urbana’s Canopy Club on Nevada Street offers a great music scene and bar that is still close to campus. Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is also located on Nevada and features performances by University students and faculty from the music, theatre and dance departments. “I would definitely recommend living in Urbana if you don’t mind walking,” Kruisbink said.