The members of the Anselmian community received their housing lottery numbers this past Monday, March 11 in an e-mail from Residence Life (Res Life). With housing selection less than a month away, upperclassmen await anxiously to see their possibility of acquiring an apartment for the next academic year.

The rush of excitement amongst students lead Res Life to send out a school wide e-mail shortly afterwards, explaining the likelihood that upperclassmen get an apartment. Based on the numbers obtained from housing deposits, Res Life explains that “59% of the available apartments are designated female and 41% are designated males.”

Since the classes of 2014 and 2015 are larger than previous years, Res Life also clarifies that there will be fewer apartments available for juniors at Benedict Court in order to accommodate the remaining seniors without housing.

While the majority of the college community, that is about 90%, is involved in the housing selection process, the remaining students have other accommodations for next year. Although many students choose to commute from home, some Anselmians live in off-campus apartments for various reasons.

Highwood Village Apartments, down the road from Saint Anselm College, has become home to approximately ten Anselmians. Christopher Harrison ’14 has been living at this apartment complex for two years and is extremely satisfied with his living arrangements.

“I left Saint A’s after freshman year, then transferred back my junior year. I transferred back after the lottery had been finished so if I was to live on campus, I wouldn’t have been allowed to pick who I lived with. I ended up looking over at Highwood Village and decided to live there instead of being placed in a random room,” explains Harrison.

Harrison lives in a two bedroom apartment with one of his friends, and the two of them split the monthly $960 bill.

“With [this monthly fee], you get access to the pool, gym and tennis courts, as well as parking and a mailbox. Utilities are also included in the rent. The only thing you have to pay extra for is cable and internet services – if you want them,” says Harrison.

There are three types of apartments available (studio bedroom, one bedroom, and two bedrooms), and all come with a full bathroom, living room, and balcony. For Harrison, there are many advantages to living off campus at Highwood Village: it costs significantly less than living on campus; the internet is incredibly fast; there are no Resident Assistants; there are no restrictions on what you can and cannot have in the apartment; it is much quieter, making it easier to do homework and study; there is more privacy; there are better options for television, including high definition channels; it is cleaner than the on campus apartments; and both heating and air conditioning are included.

While the long walk may appear to be a disadvantage, Harrison believes that it is reasonable.

“I am lucky to live with a roommate who has a car, so the commute to school is very short and easy, though I have walked to and from class and it is usually a 5-10 minute walk. During the warmer months it isn’t a bad walk at all. During the winter months the sidewalks are always plowed,” comments Harrison.

Kaileigh Gorman ‘14 also resides at Highwood Village, having moved here in the fall of 2012 after experiencing difficulties with her housing lottery her sophomore year. While Gorman enjoys living here, she misses living in close proximity to other Anselmians.

“I like it, but definitely not nearly as much as I would if I lived on campus. I miss being with my friends and my grade as a whole,” says Gorman.

Other Saint Anselm students have found temporary housing throughout the Manchester area. Junior lacrosse players Timothy Glynn, Samuel MacDonald, Andrew McIntyre, and Griffin Sandler are leasing a home on the West side of Manchester for the year, paying $1,800 per month for rent. Although the boys have found many advantages to living off campus, they are most pleased with the quiet atmosphere.

“Great thing about our place is Friday nights when we have lacrosse the next day. Good old west side of Manchester is nice and quiet with no college kids wreaking havoc throughout the dorms. Overall a great choice for the boys,” comments Glynn.

By living on the West Side, the boys have been able to try different kinds of food.

“The dining and food selection over here is impeccable too! Amazing food selections like the Kelley Street Bakery which is to die for,” says McIntyre.

When compared with the numerous advantages of living off campus, the boys acknowledge two minor disadvantages.

“There are not many disadvantages, but the only one I could think of is being separated from the ladies and the boys on campus, says McIntyre.

“Sometimes it’s a tough go having to shovel the driveway in the winter, but you just have to bear down and come together with the boys and give her your all,” adds Glynn.

In comparison to living at Highwood Village and other off-campus locations, the annual fee for room and board at Saint A’s is $12,690 for the upcoming academic year, as displayed on the website. This price includes a meal plan and many other services, which are outlined in detail on each student’s bill.

The Crier did not receive any response from Res Life for further information about campus housing options and costs.