A Temporary Sanctuary, Part 1: Problems of Collegiate Apartments

A new series on making short-term renting feel like home.

In August, I will have my own apartment.
I am beyond excited.

Over the past three years, I've lived with five different people. And five roommates later, I realize I'm just not meant to live with other women. I like my space--I'm very territorial! I like clean communal spaces. I like nesting. I enjoy alone time. I like being able to invite guests over and then shut the door when they leave.

Perhaps I just didn't live with the right people, perhaps I  was the bad roommate. In any case, my own apartment  is well overdue and I want to make it feel like home!

The problems of short-term renting:

The title of my new blog comes from the fact that I've had my share of really short-term living situations. In 2013, I moved all of my belongings five times--twice across the country in three months. There is never time to feel secure or have a sense of belonging before you're packing up again and moving to a new place...college is like that for most people.

Everyone has a need to feel like their space is home, and we express that differently. 

For me, I love to decorate and personalize. I'm excited that in a year or so, I'll have to buy permanent furniture and stay in the same location for an extended amount of time. I'll finally get to set down some roots. But until then, I still want my space to be my sanctuary from the daily grind of an engineering student. Here are some issues I have with apartments on my campus:

• Most are (cheaply) furnished. Less stuff to move but not very customizable.
• Tiny spaces + built-ins = few configurations. Beds, appliances, couches have a "set" location...most are permanently attached to the walls.
• Restrictions on manipulation/painting. No college landlord is dumb enough to give you the same freedoms other places may give renters. You're hardly allowed to use nails. 
• Limited time/budget. How much effort or money can be spent on a place you're leaving in nine months?
• Old buildings without old building charm. Finding a single bedroom in a safe area within walking distance of campus that doesn't cost an arm and a leg was the ultimate challenge. Unfortunately, you gotta sacrifice somewhere, and for me that was living in an older place.
• Neighbors. Ugh. Like I said, I love my space. But you don't usually know what types of neighbors are next to, above, and below you. It's a crap shoot and you can only cross your fingers it'll work out.
• Previous tenants. Ugh. Some tenants and landlords are great and your place will come to you sparkling clean. Some tenants mistreat it just enough and leave behind mysterious stains, scents, scrapes, and dents that go unfixed.
• Dumpster views. I can't tell you how much I wish I had big windows in my new place. I can't tell you how much I wish the small-ish windows I have looked on something prettier than the dumpster and the back of another apartment.

Lots of problems, right? So why am I so exited for my apartment with its small  windows, anything-but-scenic view, and the potential for horrible neighbors? 

Because it will be my own. 

Part 2 of this series will be about choosing a space, stay tuned!