Despite the recent efforts by Saint Louis University policies to keep students on campus, many still choose to pursue living arrangements off campus. While there are many options for housing off campus, some of the more popular are the Coronado Place and Lindell Towers, run by FrontDoor LLC, the Drake Plaza Apartments and University Heights Lofts.

Students have different reasons for moving off campus.

Patrick Flaherty, a SLU senior, has been a resident at Front Door properties since his sophomore year, living in three different apartments for the past three years.

“Two months after moving into Gries I started to look into moving off campus. I did a lot of research beforehand, and thought the amenities offered by FrontDoor were great.”

Restoration St. Louis, a company associated with FrontDoor, hired Flaherty as an intern, one of several positions residents can apply for.

“I enjoy the flexibility of living off campus . It is important to live off-campus, its a head start on moving into adulthood,” he said.

Greg Condon lives in a two bedroom apartment with three roommates in the Lofts. They split the $1,000 monthly rent. Condon also only pays $60 for monthly parking, a discount of at least $15.

“After a cost analysis, even after losing the housing scholarship, in comparison with the Village and Marchetti, [the Lofts] got you more square footage for the money,” he said. “My parents don’t pay for much of anything so I do what I can, it’s all in my hands.”

However, Condon’s conclusion is not the consensus on economic housing. Senior Kathleen Chamberlain, moved off campus to a single in the Drake where her rent is $600 per month.

“It is much cheaper than [other apartments in] the surrounding area,” she said.

The low cost is only one of the advantages that lead Chamberlain to renting at the Drake.

“The only singles available are in the dorms and I have never been able to get a campus room with the roommates I wanted.

“Also since I am biomedical-engineering major, the Drake is close to a lot of my classes.”

Though happy with his decision, Condon acknowledges its drawbacks. The Lofts is home to many off-campus parties.

“It is definitely loud, that’s my biggest complaint. It can be like one big dorm room and sometimes I can hear outside the room too,” said Condon.

He also confirmed some more unpleasant byproducts of such celebrations.

“I was at a party where three people went into the hallway to vomit, but the staff had it cleaned the next morning,” he said.

While cost is important to many students, some place the freedom of being off campus at a higher premium.

Senior Ryan Dau rents a single room for $800 a month in Lindell Towers East.

“I like the independence. It is a way to learn to be responsible, a step toward being independent from your parents,” Dau said.

“When I transferred here I wanted to live off campus, [Lindell Towers East] was close, it was convenient and it felt like a competitive price.”

Beth McMillan, a junior who shares a $1,650 monthly rent in the Coronado with three roommates, left campus housing for several reasons.

“I don’t like the cohabitation policy or checking in guests and I wasn’t going to get into the dorm I wanted. I didn’t want to be put in Fusz or Marguerite,” she said.

While McMillan enjoys living in the Coronado, she does not feel it is the same type of freedom she would find in post-college life.

“It’s convenient, right across the street from campus, I feel safe with the night staff and cameras and they provide lots of services . but it’s not the real world because they cater to the college crowd,” she said.

Front Door Properties
Access to rooftop pool behind Coronado
Package reception
24-hour staff on site to monitor cameras, handle lockouts
Game room, movie rentals
Cats allowed
Recycling available
Key card entry system

The Drake
Electronic entry for main building, key entry for other buildings and surrounding fence
Outdoor pool
24-hour maintenance available
Coin-laundry on site ($1.50 for wash or dry)
Dogs up to 40 pounds allowed

The Lofts
Electronic key cards for main entrance
Camera’s cover complete exterior some interior, tenets have live feed and intercom to nearest entrance
Evening patrols/camera monitoring
Outdoor pool
Indoor Rec Center
Recycling available
Game room
Complementary laundry rooms

SLU apartments
Electronic key cards for some buildings
24-hour security provided by DPS, security professionals and resident assistants
24-hour maintenance
Complimentary laundry rooms
Access to Simon Rec
Cohabiting restrictions