Think off campus living means all‐night partying and poor grades? Think again. Conventional wisdom has long held that students do better academically on campus. But in a recent survey by New York‐based Marsal and Alvarez, students living off campus in Place Properties communities in Huntsville, Texas, had grade point averages higher than their on campus peers, were more studious and were more active in campus activities.

Marsal and Alvarez surveyed hundreds of students who live both on campus and off campus. The results may surprise you; grade point averages were higher of students living off campus compared to those on campus. For example, 15.4 percent of students in Place Properties communities reported a GPA between 3.25 and 3.49, compared to 10.4 percent of students living on campus.

Brent Little, Executive Vice President with Place Properties said, “with the changes in the college‐aged consumer and the market response of our amenity‐laden housing, a new paradigm exists that the brightest and most involved students are choosing to live off campus.” Students living in Place Properties communities reported being more studious than their dorm‐dwelling counterparts. Nearly 85 percent of Place Properties residents reported studying five or more hours per week, compared to 71.5 percent of on campus residents.

Sara Haraughty, student of Indiana University said, “t’ really nice to be off campus and get away from the whole busy scene. I like being able to relax and enjoy my free time. If I want to make plans with those who live on campus, sure, I can do that, but I don’t have the peer pressure of going out when I should be studying because I’m no longer right there with everything. So living off campus makes making a responsible decision easier.”Students living in Place Properties communities reported they were more involved in university‐related extracurricular activities.

Nearly 54 percent of Place Properties community residents reported spending less than 5 hours on university‐related extracurricular activities compared to 61 percent of on campus students. However, 23.1 percent of Place Properties residents reported spending between 5 to 9 hours on extracurricular activities, compared to 20.8 percent of on campus students. A higher percentage of students living off campus at Place Properties communities had an academic goal of a master’ degree or graduate degree. For those seeking a master’ degree or a graduate degree, 49.6 percent were living in a Place Properties community, compared with 49.4 percent living on campus. Students living off campus reported being more satisfied with their college experience, as well. Nearly 85 percent of students in Place Properties communities reported above average satisfaction with their college experience compared to 79 percent of their on‐campus peers.

As a part of the Generation Impact Program, where residents can volunteer in their community and participate in eco-conscience events, all student properties held fundraisers on or before Earth day for Plant a Billion.

Plant a Billion, organized by the Nature Conservancy, plants one tree for ever dollar raised in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. 

Special recognition goes to Varsity Place for raising $1,300, Wolf Creek for raising $574 and Hill Place with $544.  (And Hill doesn’t even have residents yet!)  Great job everyone!

Too often prospects compare the rent installment prices for where to live, rather than the true bottom line and value.    When looking at different communities, it’s important for student to do their research before committing to a lease filled with hidden costs.  After you’ve done your homework, evaluate not only the true costs, but also the value.  Where does your dollar get you the most? 

Before deciding on where to live, ask these questions: 

What does my rent include?

How many roommates will I have?

What if they move out?  Am I stuck with the rent and utility bills?

Are there any utilities include in my rental installment?

Are there any utility caps?

Are there any deposits or fees required to lease?

For utilities not included, what are the deposits and fees?

Are there any free membership’s onsite for tanning and fitness?

If not, what are the costs to join these facilities off site?

Is there a shuttle to campus?  If so, how much does that save in gas and parking decals?

Are the apartments fully furnished?  If not, how much should you allocate for furniture?

Are the washer and dryer provided?

Of course there are other desirable that need to be considered.  Are the apartments new with the latest features and amenities?  What kind of a lifestyle does the community offer?

Ultimately the choice is up to the resident based on their preference, but it is smart to know what kind of a financial commitment you are getting into prior to signing a lease.  Remember, when shopping for student apartments, sometimes the bottom line is hidden.  Ask the hard questions and do you homework so that your student living can be more about fun than financial regret.

Builder Magazine has again ranked Place Properties as one of their top 100 builders in the nation.  Ranked 12th in 2007, Place Properties improved by two positions, as 10th largest builder in 2008. 

To see the complete listing, please visit www.builderonline.com.