Housing Question

We're on break here, which is affording me a lot of time to stress about the impending move. And I have a question only the wisdom of the Intertubes can help with.

As you may recall, I'm currently living with a roommate, and that's largely been a good experience. I'd been hoping, with the move, to be able to find my own place again, but now I'm thinking that might not be a good option. Just to test the waters, though, I put an ad up on Craig List for a housing situation wanted, and I've already received a few responses. One of the more intriguing ones is for a long-term stay hotel. It appears to be essentially a larger hotel room, furnished with a kitchen and a cost that's a better than local rent, particularly as it includes everything but long distance. Has anyone ever tried something like this?

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6 Responses to “Housing Question”
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Phul Devi said...

Does it come with turndown service?

It doesn't sound like a bad option to try while you still are unfamiliar with the new surroundings. Perhaps while living there, you can scope out other possibilities.

I do know several faculty who live in group situations. One person bought a 3-bedroom house and took roommates to pay the mortgage; another lives in a 3-bedroom rental with roomies. Most of these folks have been very happy to have the benefits of a group house: community, help with upkeep, common meals, social spillover.

March 3, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Belle said...

'Tis intriguing! Around here, these kinds of places are in less than nice neighborhoods. Can you ask the secretary/AA at the new place her opinion of the hotel? The area? Or a friendly faculty member? Peruse the area via Google Earth street views?

March 3, 2009 at 7:39 PM
life_of_a_fool said...

I've not stayed in one, but I've visited one. I would find it immensely depressing, actually, both in the room itself (too hotel-y) and location (near a major airport).

I may be very particular about where I live though, so if you're not it may be fine. Would you think about staying there indefinitely, or just until you can figure out where you really want to live? I'd have a hard time with either, but the latter would be a bit easier.

March 3, 2009 at 8:48 PM
ash said...

If you can swing a trip to the new city, I'd say definitely check it out firsthand. I'm with Belle--most long-term stay places that are affordable are less than nice. I guess I am just saying be cautious...which I assume you will be!

March 3, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Dr. Curmudgeon said...

I'll definitely have some folks who can look into it if I go that route. It just intrigues me that it's even an option.

On a related note, I stumbled across this site which is interesting though everything I've seen is out of my price range: http://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/

March 3, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Professor Zero said...

I'll check out those sabbatical homes right away, although I probably can't afford them either!

I've seen one of those hotel places before and yes, depressing it was ... my colleague who was staying there was seriously seeking other places fast. What they said: get info on this one from someone who can look.

I'd take the group house over that, although *not* with anyone in my own department ... !!!

March 4, 2009 at 2:39 AM