Page 124 of DuLac states, "The University has instituted a policy of limited parietal visitation to foster the personal and social development of residence hall students…"

Page 125 of DuLac states, "Notre Dame students are expected to take responsibility for their guests' behavior…"

Page 128 of DuLac states, "No alcoholic beverages may be carried in open containers in the corridors or any other public area of the residence halls…"

Page 130 of DuLac states, "Residence Hall staff, under the supervision of the rector, are responsible for monitoring the issue of intoxication in halls…"

Whatever fierce dorm pride many students feel is often squashed like a bug under the weight of annoyance with DuLac's many rules and regulations. While the University contends that the rules of DuLac are applicable off campus, many students jump ship junior and senior year to escape a RA breathing down their necks, threatening to send them to Res Life. While the strict rules of campus life are not the only reason students leave campus (other reasons include more space, an aversion to dining hall food, and their own bathrooms), the pages of residence life parameters in DuLac have a large role in many students' decisions to "move off."

Off-campus living has its benefits. Many students maintain that it is actually cheaper than living on campus, while having additional space and better food. Of course, schoolwork often falls by the wayside when one moves out of the shadow of the golden dome. In the end, the choice to move off-campus comes with ups and downs (now you have a bathroom, but you also have to clean it). If a student does make the choice to leave campus, the next question becomes: to where? Scene explores some of South Bend's most popular choices of residences for those who still must abide by parietals, but who hope someday to talk to a person of the opposite sex past 2 AM. For most students, the choice to live off-campus is a big one—involving not only their roommates but also their parents, who often foot the bill for the off campus dwelling. The area around Notre Dame offers several good choices that fit the needs of different types of students. Most students seem quite happy with their choice to leave the dorm, although the "spirit" is perhaps not so bug-squashed in everyone. "Having the dorm atmosphere is pretty special, too," says Steve Donndelinger, "Don't take it for granted." But he also adds, "[Off campus living] is worth trying to do at least once. It's a different experience."

Lafayette

If popularity indicates superiority, Lafayette could arguably be the best place to live off campus. The demand for these two-story townhouses is so high that students must put their name on a waiting list early in their sophomore year in order to secure a place as seniors.

This high demand is due to Lafayette's reputation as a center for big parties and to the limited number of townhouses. Several times throughout the year, the residents join forces and funds to provide beer for hundreds of Notre Dame undergraduates. This fun can come at a price, however, with a drain on the checkbook and on quality sleeping time. The residents also express annoyance at strangers coming in their homes and damaging their things.

The actual residences are two-story townhouses with an option for four or five bedrooms. The ten four-bedroom complexes are each 1560 square feet and three floors tall. The first floor consists of the living room area, kitchen and half bathroom. Two of the bedrooms are in the basement with a shower. The upstairs bedrooms are larger and share a full bath. The five-bedroom model is similar, with three bedrooms on the second floor.

Prices for the townhomes are reasonable. Those with four bedrooms are $1025 per month, while those with five are $1275 per month. Adding an extra person is allowed but increases the rent slightly. Each home comes with a full range of appliances, central air conditioning, cable hookups, two phone lines, a patio area and assigned parking spaces. Each townhouse is also equipped with an ADT security system—a fact that reveals one of the complex's downsides. Lafayette bears the reputation of being in a rather questionable area of South Bend. Rumors of homeless strolling through the parking lot and of break-ins are not uncommon. However, most of the residents feel that as long as they lock their doors, they are not in danger.

Overall, Lafayette seems to be one of the better deals for students seeking off-campus living. For a reasonable rent, students have their own bedroom and a spacious multi-floor residence — two features lacking in many other off campus residences. Although walking or biking to class in the morning is out of the question, the drive is less than five minutes. Students also seem to enjoy the community atmosphere. With the townhouses all facing one another and populated almost exclusively by Notre Dame students, many make friends with their neighbors and share the tasks of making dinner and planning parties.

Most Lafayette residents praise their choice of an off-campus residence. "There really isn't anything I don't like about living [in Lafayette]," says junior Lindsay Williams. "People here really get to know each other. I've met some of my closest friends this year, just by living in Lafayette." However, if you are looking for peace and quiet on the weekends, hoping for someplace solitary to study, or think that keg parties are annoying and expensive, do not choose Lafayette.

Turtle Creek

In the last few years, Turtle Creek has suffered the reputation of being the worst of the off-campus residences. Horror stories of dirty apartments, faulty appliances and structural problems cause one sophomore to refer to the complex as "the ghetto of off-campus housing." However, Turtle Creek does manage to fill its apartments early every year. Many students enjoy the laid back atmosphere of the residences and its proximity to campus. Turtle Creek is the closest thing you can get to on-campus while still being off-campus. Biking or walking to class will take slightly longer than your average dorm-to-DeBartolo stroll, but it is still do-able. For students without a car, Turtle Creek is the place to move.

Turtle Creek also offers a wide range of choices, from singles to townhouses. The singles are 255 square feet and $505 per month. The two story townhouses are 1100 square feet and $1100 per month. Other choices fall in between this range.

Like Lafayette, Turtle Creek is known as a center for partying. As at Lafayette, residents pool their money to organize a large gathering of people and alcohol. Football Saturdays find Turtle Creek residents doing "Kegs and Eggs" and other such fun activities that would be unsanctioned in the dorms. As a downside, because of its close proximity to campus, Turtle Creek parties often find themselves infested by freshman who can easily walk there. Residents complain of disrespect for their backyard patio areas and apartments.

Other complaints include a lack of community because of the large number of apartments and wide range of people they attract. Many residents feel that they do not get to know their neighbors.

Despite these complaints, Turtle Creek provides an inexpensive and convenient off-campus residence for many students. The close proximity allows students to sleep late and still make it to class, to live off-campus without a car and still feel somewhat connected to campus. Rolfs is almost closer for many former South Quad residents. They have the added benefit of being close to Studebagels, Wolfies, Papa John's and the Discount Liquors store, which helps for supplying those kegs to drink with the eggs. Turtle Creek is flexible —it can be for the partier or for someone who wants a single. However, if you live in Turtle Creek, be prepared for some noise and perhaps an apartment that could use a little work.

College Park

For many students, College Park brings together many of the conveniences of the other off-campus residences in one package. Although bigger than Lafayette, College Park maintains much of the community atmosphere. Students here report getting to know their neighbors well. Parties are prevalent, but not out of control, and the residences themselves get the most quality for their money.

Apartments are one-story with two bedrooms, two full baths, a refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer. Students can live on either the first or second floors. Both come with a large porch. "I felt that College Park had the best amenities of any of the places we checked out," says senior Brian Meihaus. He cites the porch as one of the biggest benefits. "When you have parties or barbecues, people can just hang out outside."

College Park, located on Bulla Road, is also very conveniently close to campus. Although farther than Turtle Creek, it is arguably more convenient than Lafayette. Students could bike if they felt ambitious, but a car is more of a necessity here. College Park also beats Lafayette in neighborhood safety. Students' reports of break-ins and crime are minimal.

The best part about it all? The rent at College Park is a very reasonable $915 per month that students can choose to split between two, three or four people. Because of this, it is important to get one's name on a waiting list as soon as possible, just like at Lafayette and Turtle Creek.

With all these advantages, are there any downsides to College Park? Because all of the apartments are only two bedrooms, students end up sharing a room, often defeating the purpose of moving off-campus. Many students want their privacy and space when they are paying rent each month.

Overall, College Park seems to be the best overall value for college students. It has increased in popularity over recent years, with apartments in higher demand and parties more prevalent. This increase in partying probably has to do with the increased number of males moving to College Park. Because the apartments are more aesthetically pleasing than other places (an important bonus to many females, to stereotype for a moment), College Park has usually been dominated by girls. This ratio seems to be changing, however.

"College Park is definitely getting cooler," says senior RA Elizabeth Brown, who has made a point to visit many different off-campus residences. It seems that many students share her sentiments. Overall, College Park does not have the wild party reputation of Lafayette, but is increasing steadily in the social scene. Peace and quiet are not guaranteed here, but a nice place with a big porch is a sure thing.

Castle Point

Castle Point offers students the best bang for their buck. "We have more space than they do at Lafayette or College Park, but for around the same price [per person]" says junior Chris Gorski. Space isn't the only thing Castle Point offers. A Castle Point lease gets students access to basketball, tennis and beach volleyball courts, a jacuzzi, and a pool (although the pool is located at another site.) Seems like luxury college living? This is why Castle Point is populated with many non-Notre Dame residents, including many families. Herein lies the downside to choosing Castle Point. Students express annoyance at having to tiptoe around adults and children. Late night noise is frowned upon, which means no parties. If a student does have a party it must be fully contained within his or her house—in other words: small.

Castle Point also has limited choices for students. There are doubles and singles available. Doubles run a very reasonable $650 per month, considering all of the added amenities. Some doubles can fit three people if someone is willing to sacrifice privacy to live in a loft.

The rental process is geared more towards the general public than college students. The good part about this is the flexibility of leases (residents choose between 3, 6 or 9-month leases), and the availability of apartments. Although students must plan ahead to an extent, Castle Point does not have the long waiting lists that many other places have.

Some students also see the location of Castle Point as a downside. The drive from Cleveland Avenue is not long, but in comparison to College Park or Turtle Creek, can seem like a hike. Biking or walking is definitely out of the question.

Overall, Castle Point is not your typical college apartment. The entire complex is enclosed and with a security guard, more like some rich, suburban, gated neighborhood than a crappy college apartment. Students who choose to live here get a much quieter, laid-back experience with many added perks. Some students like to live in Castle Point, party at their friends apartments, and let someone else do the clean up. The quiet atmosphere makes studying a great deal easier as well. "It's becoming a lot more popular," says Gorski.

If you are looking for the Animal House college experience, do not move to Castle Point. However, if you are looking for a top quality apartment for not a lot of money, this might be your place.

Houses

Houses are another popular choice for off campus living. While it is difficult to generalize about the quality and price of houses which come from different landlords in different locations, there are some considerations students must make when living in a house. Many students live in neighborhoods which are student dominated, but others find places more distant. The community atmosphere of the dorm, while somewhat preserved in a place like College Park or Lafayette, is greatly lost in a house situation.

On the upside of things, houses give the resident a great deal of space and the ability to live with a large number of friends. Houses can also be a good choice for someone who likes to throw parties. You can make everyone stand in the yard or the basement instead of your squeaky-clean kitchen. Most house-dwellers enjoy their choice. As with apartments, residents pay their own utilities, ("Most of the bills are pretty reasonable," says senior Steve Donndelinger) but the landlord does most of the maintenance—even mowing the lawn.

Students who wish to live in a house can search through the Observer, where most renters advertise, or call South Bend realtors. House renters want to act early to secure their first choice, but not quite as early as the Lafayette hopefuls.

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