Spring Break
Though still cheaper than dorms, off-campus housing prices rising
Katherine Martinez
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: News
Some students opt for off-campus housing as a means to save money. Those willing to share bedrooms often find that living off-campus can be cheaper than living in Hilltop or Charter Oak apartments. But students who want freedom and privacy are finding that paying rent for your own bedroom in an off-campus apartment isn't as cheap as it once was.
Rent prices have increased for 13 of their 14 off-campus apartment complexes, said Sharon Smith, community manager of New England Realty Management Group, LLC. The increase is attributed to inflation, and ranges from 1 to 7 percent depending on the amount of vacancies in each apartment complex and the distance from the UConn campus.
Perry Hill Estates, located in Ashford, is the only apartment complex owned by New England Realty which actually lowered its rent. The decrease in price from $995 to $800 a month is only temporary and is offered as a sign-on special. The rental special has been going on for about six weeks and could end at any time, said Smith.
Willington Oaks, which is growing in popularity among students, is one of New England Realty's most expensive complexes. A year-long lease to live in Willington Oaks signed by tenants Annie Taylor, a 7th-semester psychology major, and Romina Sabando, a 7th-semester nursing major, in June of 2007, was $1316 a month. The price included rent and common area fees, but did not include utilities, cable and internet. The same lease, signed in June of 2008, increased to $1353 a month.
Taylor and Sabando, who share the two bedroom apartment with two other women, were unhappy with the increase in rent and brought the issue to New England Realty.
"They told us that rent prices increased everywhere, so they have to increase here too," said Taylor. "They also told us we won't be able to find anything cheaper."
Tenants living in Celeron Square face the same problem. Kelly Corrigan, a 7th-semester sociology and psychology double major is entering her second year at Celeron, and while she loves the apartment, she does not care for the increase in price.
Rent prices have increased for 13 of their 14 off-campus apartment complexes, said Sharon Smith, community manager of New England Realty Management Group, LLC. The increase is attributed to inflation, and ranges from 1 to 7 percent depending on the amount of vacancies in each apartment complex and the distance from the UConn campus.
Perry Hill Estates, located in Ashford, is the only apartment complex owned by New England Realty which actually lowered its rent. The decrease in price from $995 to $800 a month is only temporary and is offered as a sign-on special. The rental special has been going on for about six weeks and could end at any time, said Smith.
Willington Oaks, which is growing in popularity among students, is one of New England Realty's most expensive complexes. A year-long lease to live in Willington Oaks signed by tenants Annie Taylor, a 7th-semester psychology major, and Romina Sabando, a 7th-semester nursing major, in June of 2007, was $1316 a month. The price included rent and common area fees, but did not include utilities, cable and internet. The same lease, signed in June of 2008, increased to $1353 a month.
Taylor and Sabando, who share the two bedroom apartment with two other women, were unhappy with the increase in rent and brought the issue to New England Realty.
"They told us that rent prices increased everywhere, so they have to increase here too," said Taylor. "They also told us we won't be able to find anything cheaper."
Tenants living in Celeron Square face the same problem. Kelly Corrigan, a 7th-semester sociology and psychology double major is entering her second year at Celeron, and while she loves the apartment, she does not care for the increase in price.
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