It’s all about location, location, location!
When looking for a place to live in Boulder, the Hill is a popular location. Because of this popularity, the cost of living on the Hill is constantly rising.
When renting a house on the Hill in Boulder, which may sometimes require a Plumbing service, a student should realize he is not just paying for the building, but for “the high property value, the mountains, the lifestyle and the desirability of living on the Hill,” said Brittany Lowe, leasing agent for Boulder Property Management.
In addition, the high competition and unrelenting will to live at the epicenter of the Hill (between Pleasant and Aurora) also increases the housing rent on the Hill.
According to Amanda Gresiak, property manger of FourStar Realty, the broader scope of a “Hill” housing location would be between Baseline and Arapahoe, west of Broadway and east of 9th Street.
“Housing locations on the Hill are generally more expensive than those east of campus or in other areas because on the Hill, students are paying for their social proximity, which is really important to a lot of students who come in here,” Gresiak said.
Some students, however, would prefer living off the Hill to on it. Willem Ossorio, sophomore Journalism and Mass Communication major, for example, lives in a four-story townhouse in Gold Run (east of campus).
“I like not living on the Hill because I enjoy getting some work done and having it mostly quiet. My theory is that the Hill is a good place to visit, but not to live,” Ossorio said. “My place is pretty stocked though with a Jacuzzi tub, washer/dryer, full kitchen and a garage for around $675. I’m definitely living here next year.”
Though housing on the outer edges of the Hill and east of campus are generally cheaper, there are ways to live in the hub of the Hill and get away with paying close to a hundred dollars less than usual.
“Garden level is a fancy name for basement,” Gresiak said. “Basement units rent in the same location and in the same house for an average of $100 less than a top or higher level of a house.”
Studio apartments are less recognized living spaces than houses but also prove to be a cheaper choice. In addition, houses that have been recently updated with new kitchens, washers, dryers and wooden floors tend to be more expensive and are important questions to ask an agent or independent leaser if a student is looking to save a couple extra bucks.
Competition for a location can increase a housing price if renters are willing to pay more for that place. What most students don’t realize is that they can still be on the Hill, but instead of walking two blocks to campus, it could be three.
“Housing towards Baseline is usually cheaper and is still considered part of The Hill, it is just not a ‘prime’ spot,” Gresiak said. “A lot of people stay away from the College Townhomes on 12th Street because they’re apartments. A student can get a three bedroom for $567 per person . usually including wood/tiled floors, and some have laundry machines in their unit.”
Due to a larger freshman class, housing on the Hill is becoming occupied at a faster rate than in previous years. Rebecca Hayward, student assistant for Off Campus Student Services, recommends speaking with an agent or reading Rent Rabbit’s apartment reviews to try and make a living plan before spring break.
Off Campus Student Services provides an online database of about 3,000 postings of available living and also provides walk-in appointments on Tuesdays and Fridays for students to consult a lawyer to review their lease before it is signed.
Perks of consulting an agency such as Boulder Property Management or FourStar Realty are that the agents take the renter on as many showings and to as many properties as needed, and the renter need not pay for services unless a house is found. In addition, agencies usually have a full maintenance staff rather than having to make separate calls to a plumber or electrical specialist.
The next housing fair is March 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom.
Contact Campus Press Staffwriter Victoria Barbatelli at Victoria.Barbatelli@thecampuspress.com
