01-03-2008, 05:30 PM
What do you guys prefer? how are the dorms at Western? the student recreation center looks fantasic! if i attend WMU i will major in Physical Eduation. what your input on places to live? or should live in the dorm?
01-03-2008, 05:30 PM
01-03-2008, 05:47 PM
Can't beat the dorms for convenience and food availability. It may not be like home cooking, but there is plenty of it with no washing of dishes!
I stayed in Bigelow my first year and it was great. The Valley Dorms are nicer, but kind of a long walk in the wintertime. Lived in Spindler one year, but I understand it's a Frat House now.
West Campus Apts. was a great time! 1975/1976 and half of 1977.
I stayed in Bigelow my first year and it was great. The Valley Dorms are nicer, but kind of a long walk in the wintertime. Lived in Spindler one year, but I understand it's a Frat House now.
West Campus Apts. was a great time! 1975/1976 and half of 1977.
01-03-2008, 06:35 PM
There are tons of new student apartment complexes popping up all around WMU. They have all been built in the last 5 years or so and are pretty nice, affordable, close to campus, and most have numerous amenities. (pools, basketball courts, free high speed internet, etc) In fact, the dorms are probably more expensive overall. You get the food plan, but that is pricey and you'll never be around enough to get your money's worth.
That being said, I would live at least one year in the dorm. It's an experience you'll never forget. Most of the freshman live out in the Valley dorms. I lived in the Burnham dorm my first year and regretted not being out with the rest of my friends in the Valleys. Was pretty much out in the Valleys most of the time anyway. You get more room in the Burnham style dorm (2 rooms for 2 people), but there are community bathrooms there as opposed to private bathrooms only used by those in your suite in the Valley (2 rooms with a bathroom in the middle for 4 people). I actually didnt mind the community bathrooms much though since they are cleaned daily.
I'd recommend doing the dorm thing for a year and then move out to some of the new student apartments with some buds if you attend to WMU. You'll wind up there a lot anyway since that is where a lot of the action/parties are. There are still student neighborhoods with houses for rent, but those are rundown and overpriced in my opinion compared to what you get at the apartments in terms of amenities and nicer living conditions.
That being said, I would live at least one year in the dorm. It's an experience you'll never forget. Most of the freshman live out in the Valley dorms. I lived in the Burnham dorm my first year and regretted not being out with the rest of my friends in the Valleys. Was pretty much out in the Valleys most of the time anyway. You get more room in the Burnham style dorm (2 rooms for 2 people), but there are community bathrooms there as opposed to private bathrooms only used by those in your suite in the Valley (2 rooms with a bathroom in the middle for 4 people). I actually didnt mind the community bathrooms much though since they are cleaned daily.
I'd recommend doing the dorm thing for a year and then move out to some of the new student apartments with some buds if you attend to WMU. You'll wind up there a lot anyway since that is where a lot of the action/parties are. There are still student neighborhoods with houses for rent, but those are rundown and overpriced in my opinion compared to what you get at the apartments in terms of amenities and nicer living conditions.
01-03-2008, 08:32 PM
My son lives in Copper Beach about a mile and a half down West Michigan Ave. Each person in the apartment pays $350.............(correctiion, I pay) for a four bedroom. Each bedroom has their own bathroom. It has a huge kitchen, a large living room, and a finished downstairs area where they keep a poker table set up, but could easily handle a pool table. Cable and heat are included. This place is nice...............Too nice in fact for a college kid. He should have to live in squaller like his old man and past generations did.
Parking is a MAJOR problem. Not enough, so anytime there are parties (or parents visit) the tow trucks have a field day.
Parking is a MAJOR problem. Not enough, so anytime there are parties (or parents visit) the tow trucks have a field day.
01-03-2008, 10:52 PM
I own a 3 bedroom condo in Parkview Hills I may be renting next year. I was planning on selling but the market is so bad that may not be possible. If it's open and you decide you don't want the dorms I would love to have you and a couple buds rent.
01-03-2008, 10:54 PM
I agree you should live in a dorm at least one year.
01-04-2008, 07:51 AM
Agree on the dorm, do it for a year. I believe the food plan has changed where one can eat anywhere with a food card. When I went (70-74) you had to eat in your dorm. I lived in Valley 3 and getting there for lunch was sometimes a pain.
If you do the Valley there is a bus that will take you up to campus. It comes in handy when it is rainy or just to darn cold.
I lived in the student ghetto for a year (near east campus). Houses were definitely dumps. I can't imagine what they are like now.
Four bedroom apartment for 350.00 a month sounds pretty good. As someone else has said dorms are not cheap. They were very expensive when I went.
Good luck and welcome to WMU.
If you do the Valley there is a bus that will take you up to campus. It comes in handy when it is rainy or just to darn cold.
I lived in the student ghetto for a year (near east campus). Houses were definitely dumps. I can't imagine what they are like now.
Four bedroom apartment for 350.00 a month sounds pretty good. As someone else has said dorms are not cheap. They were very expensive when I went.
Good luck and welcome to WMU.