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Housing

Although Washington University does not have graduate student accommodations on campus, the surrounding residential areas offer a wide variety of housing choices. Many apartment buildings are located within walking distance of the Olin Business School (Simon Hall) and many more in nearby communities. A few blocks can often make a great deal of difference in the rent range and desirability of an area.

This section is designed to:

1. answer your initial questions about housing
2. provide an orientation to the neighborhoods surrounding "Wash U" and the areas where many Olin MBAs choose to live, and
3. introduce you to Washington University and the greater St. Louis area.

Tips from Students on Finding Housing

In general, students who have been most successful in their apartment search did some research ahead of time to determine places to target, made contacts with agents or complexes prior to coming to St. Louis to search, and invested time in driving through the neighborhoods to see what additional options were available. Prior students have provided these additional tips:

• The best time to find housing, and have the widest range of options is late May through early July. Keep in mind that other graduate and undergraduate students are looking for off-campus housing at the same time. When you contact landlords, they will typically know one month in advance of an apartment being available.
• Allow lots of weekday time when leasing managers are in the office to search for an apartment. Many small buildings don't have the manager on site and will usually return calls one to two days later.
• Allow for individual small apartment owners, from whom you can get better deals and attention regarding repairs, to return your calls since they probably have other jobs during the day.
• Plan to spend about two or three days in St. Louis looking for an apartment-between familiarizing yourself with the neighborhoods and viewing apartments, you will need this much time.
• Since apartments within walking distance are in short supply, it is advisable to have a car available when searching.
• Start searching early if you have a pet, especially if you have a large dog. Locating apartments that are willing to accommodate larger pets may be more difficult.
• Establish your requirements in terms of rent, geographical area, safety, amenities (a/c, etc.). This will help narrow your search as you make calls ahead of time, search online, and once you arrive in St. Louis to look.
• Wash U produces a guide called Bearings that is mainly designed for undergraduates, but provides good information about St. Louis itself. It can be found at http://bearings.wustl.edu/.
• If you are an international student, contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at Stix International House to determine what special documents you may need when finding housing. You can find out more at http://www.oisshome.wustl.edu/.
• Apartment Exchange (http://www.apartment-exchange.com) offers a great service. With Apartment Exchange you visit their office, near campus on Big Bend, and tell them what you are looking for. They give you a list of addresses, you leave a small deposit, they give you keys to vacant apartments, and you are free to look for the day. I liked their service because you have the freedom to set your schedule, as opposed to Apartment Search where you have to meet the apartment manager at a particular time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When Should I Begin Looking For An Apartment?

If at all possible, you should plan to visit St. Louis in mid to late June, or the beginning of July at the latest. Because many undergraduate students and other graduate students are also looking at this time, beginning the search earlier can be advantageous. If you find it impossible to look for an apartment in July, we would urge you to begin looking as early in August as possible. If you find a suitable apartment in the first or second week of August, you may be required to sign a lease as of August 1. One-bedroom apartments tend to go first; if you are seeking this type of accommodations, you may wish to begin your search early.

The amount of time spent searching varies considerably. Some students find a suitable apartment in a day or two; others may spend several days to a week.

After Arriving In St. Louis, Is There Any Place On Campus I Can Stay For a Few Days?

Temporary housing is available on a limited basis for international students through the OISS (Office of International Students and Scholars) at Stix International House. Please contact them directly to make arrangements through their on-line form (http://oisshome.wustl.edu/students/new/TempHousing.html) by email at stix@rescomp.wustl.edu, or by phone at 314-935-5910.

To learn more about another option for brief (up to two weeks) housing, contact Barbara Luszczynska at blusczcynska@wustl.edu or 314-935-6177. She offers temporary housing at a location within walking distance from campus.

How Can I Locate a Roommate?

We realize that many students are hesitant to enter a rental agreement with someone they do not know. On the other hand, we believe that the majority of MBA students are mature individuals who are experienced in the matter of courtesies and consideration when it comes to sharing living space. Therefore, the "risk" involved may not be as great as you first imagine.

If you are interested in investigating the possibility of sharing an apartment with another MBA student, you should complete the Interactive Roommate Information Form. This form can be found on the New Student Welcome page. Once you have submitted your information, it will be available for online review by other students seeking roommates. It is your responsibility to contact those students who best match your criteria. (Please note that the office of MBA Student Services does not provide roommate-matching services.)

To experience the greatest success in finding a roommate, we recommend you submit your Interactive Roommate Information Form beginning May 15. (Please note that you are under no obligation to accept a roommate.)

We suggest that students who are considering sharing an apartment can arrange to be in St. Louis at the same time in July to get acquainted before making a commitment.

There are also "roommate wanted" listings in the Riverfront Times (www.riverfronttimes.com -a free weekly paper), the Washington University Apartment Referral Service at http://ars.wustl.edu (choose "roommate" under the Housing Option drop-down box), and at Metropolis St. Louis (a St. Louis young professionals group) at www.mstl.org. The Metropolis St. Louis site has a nice section on relocation.

Are There Any Houses Available For Rent?

Although rental houses are generally expensive and difficult to find, some MBA students choose this alternative. The Sunday Post-Dispatch classified ads, Riverfront Times, "Houses for Rent" real estate guide, and real estate agencies are the best sources.

What Do Apartments Rent For In the Area?

Rents can vary from about $350 for an efficiency or one-bedroom apartment to $1000 or more for a three-bedroom apartment. Students frequently share an apartment with one or two other students to reduce their living expenses.

Most apartments require a security deposit and at least one month's rent in advance. Rent is usually highest within a one-mile radius of the University. Most of the graduate business students live within five miles of campus, but many neighborhoods throughout the city are becoming popular as buildings are renovated and new businesses emerge.

Where Can I Find Used Furniture?

The classified sections of the Sunday Post-Dispatch and Wednesday and Friday Suburban Journal contain a lot of ads under "Household Goods for Sale." Many of these items are sold quickly, so it is best to call about the items early.

You may also want to consider renting furniture with the option to buy. Three companies that rent furniture are the following:

• Aaron Rents Furniture, 5422 Eagle Industrial Court, Hazelwood, MO (731-0039).
• National Rental, 6730 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO (781-6666).
• Rent-A-Center, various locations, check the web site for the closest.

What Other Things Should I Know About Renting an Apartment in Saint Louis?

Occupancy Permits

Occupancy regulations in most of the county municipalities limit the number of unrelated persons who are allowed to live in one dwelling. You (or your landlord) must obtain an occupancy permit from the city in which you live before you move in. Failure to obtain the permit can result in a $25 or more fine for both the tenant and landlord. When a permit is applied for, the standard procedure includes:

• Collection of a fee (from $5 to $10) paid either by the tenant or the landlord
• Inspection of the property in question by an official qualified for inspecting housing facilities for reasons of security, plumbing, lighting, and adequate heating
• If there are repairs needed, the landlord will be notified and the tenant not allowed to move in until the repairs are made.
• Each municipality has its own regulations regarding permits. For specific questions, contact the City Hall.

Letter of Reference

On rare occasions landlords request prospective tenants to provide a letter of reference. If you need such a letter, please contact the MBA Student Services office at (314) 935-7301.

Safety Considerations

It is important to consider personal safety when selecting a place to live, especially in urban areas like St. Louis. Washington University's Apartment Referral Service (ARS) provides a record of crime statistics for many of the popular surrounding areas.

What Resources Are Available To Help Me Locate An Apartment?

Washington University Apartment Referral Service (http://ars.wustl.edu/) maintains a listing from landlords of apartment vacancies and is a good place to begin your apartment search. The ARS also provides students with everything from community safety records to lists of students seeking roommates. The staff is knowledgeable about locating housing in the St. Louis area and, if necessary, can refer you to other resources. July and August are peak months in this office. If you are here at the beginning of July, however, the office may not be quite as hectic.

MBA students have told us that they have gotten very good leads and tips from the Apartment Referral Service, but there are some drawbacks. A computer generated lead sheet, narrowed by student's criteria, takes little time to generate, but you need to know the area and price ranges you are seeking. During peak times, there is a rapid turnover of listings. Because an apartment may be rented a few hours after it is listed, you must be prepared to look at the apartment the same day. If you do not find what you're looking for the first day you use the office, it would be well worth your time to go back the next day to view new listings.

Quadrangle Housing Company (http://offcampushousing.wustl.edu) You can also search for housing at one of the 130 apartment buildings owned by Washington University. These buildings are near campus and range in size from duplex dwellings to large structures. All properties are managed for the University by Quadrangle Housing.

The following grid provides contact information for the above-mentioned services as well as additional resource information.

Name	Address	Phone	Website/Other Information
Washington University Apartment Referral Service (ARS)	700 Rosedale Washington University North Campus.	(314) 935-5092 fax: (314) 935-7631	www.ars.wustl.edu Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Email: ars@aismail.wustl.edu
Washington University's Off Campus Apartments (managed by Quadrangle Housing Company)	700 Rosedale St. Louis, MO 63112	(800) 874-4330 (314) 935-9511 fax: (314) 935-9515	http://offcampushousing.wustl.edu/ Open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Web site provides information on apartments, including photos and search capabilities. Quadrangle Housing Company web page has information on the surrounding areas. www.offcampushousing.wustl.edu Email: quadrangleleasing@wustl.edu
Apartment Search	12313 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO 63141	(314) 434-3999 (800) 286-3092	www.apartment-search.com Open Monday through Friday 9-5; Saturday 10 - 4. This service has two options: you may meet with a referral consultant at no charge. They have a searchable list of properties they use to find the best match for you. Call ahead for an appointment.
Apartment Exchange	2203 South Big Bend Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63117	(314) 647-0330	www.apartment-exchange.com Open Monday-Friday 9-5; Saturday 10-4. Sunday hours are 11-4

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