On Wednesday, Mar. 12, there was an off-campus housing fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Student Union at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for all students who were interested in learning more about off-campus housing options. 

Places like The Edge at Lafayette, Theater Street Apartments and The Quarters Student Living had booths that students could visit to get information and take-home goodies. Many of the booths had give-aways such as cups, candy, water bottles, hats, pens and much more. 

One of the biggest factors, other than cost and vicinity, that students take into consideration when deciding where to live, is their roommates. 

The majority of students who live in a residential hall on campus live with one or more roommates. This is not true for all students, but even most of those who are currently living alone have had experience living with another student at some point. 

When asked about her experience with roommates, Yvonne Givens, a senior criminal justice major said, “I don’t like having a roommate because I, sometimes, like my own space and my own privacy.” 

Others, like Leshyra Gillum, a senior psychology major, said, “It forces you to socialize and so it kind of helps you get into this world where you’re gonna have to socialize with people that you don’t know, people who come from different backgrounds and different teachings and all of these things.” 

On-campus housing is a slightly more cost-efficient housing option, however, it is generally a smaller living space. 

When living in one of the halls on campus, students can choose to live with other students or they can live in a room by themself with a shared bathroom. 

Daijon Whiticar, a freshman nursing major, said, “I feel like if I had to recommend to other people, I feel like you should just choose someone that you would get along with. I would recommend a single suite, to be honest, so you could get your own privacy because you get your own room and you just share the bathroom and the sink.” 

The Quarters Student Living, Theater Street Apartments and The Edge at Lafayette all offer many different floor plans so that students have options when it comes to how many people they share their apartment with. 

The Quarters Student Living is located at 501 Stewart Street and is pet friendly, includes in-home washers and dyers, fully furnished apartments, a breakfast bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a business center, a movie theater room and much more. 

The Edge at Lafayette is located at 1400 North Bertrand Drive and includes fully furnished apartments, in-unit washers and dryers, a 24/7 clubhouse, private study rooms, a movie theater, a swimming pool and much more. 

Theater Street Apartments is located at 200 Theater Street and is pet friendly, includes in-home washers and dryers, a fitness center and cyber lounge, a pickleball court, a volleyball court, a pet park, barbeque grills, a picnic area and much more. 

When it comes to housing options, UL Lafayette has many options to choose from. 

Whether looking for more privacy and quiet or more socialization and companionship, there is something for everyone.