The art of searching for off-campus housing while in college often requires time, patience and the ability to work around a tight budget. If that is not enough, some students have to worry about finding neighbors who accept them for who they are: college students.
Just minutes away from the campus of Cabrini College you will find Mount Pleasant, a small, close-knit community that has been a part of the Tredyffrin Township landscape for centuries.
Students from Cabrini recognize the community’s historic nature but still want to experience the freedom of living off campus. Unfortunately, some residents seem to be closed-minded toward college students due to the common stereotypes, such as being disorderly and reckless, associated with this age group.
“I definitely feel it is a close-knit community and everyone knows each other,” Samantha Bokoski, senior communication major, said. “However, I feel they do not give college students a chance before judging them.”
Bokoski moved into the Mount Pleasant community in the summer of 2010 with fellow Cabrini students Lauren Karaszkiewicz and Christina Flood. The three are the only college students on their street and have had a few issues with long-time residents in the community.Flood, senior communication major, recalls a summer party in 2010 in which police were called to the scene.
“There were only about 25 people present and we were not loud, but a neighbor still called the cops and they just told us to keep it down,” Flood said. “This makes me think that the people of this neighborhood simply do not want college kids living here, even though we are very respectful and not loud.”
Partying in particular is one thing that many long-time residents may voice their concerns about. However, according to Bokoski, unruly parties have not been a large problem in the community.
“I do not beleive to have had any loud parties,” Bokoski said. “I feel college students have been very respectful of the families surrounding them.”
“If we have parties we make sure the noise is not too noticeable outside,” Karaszkiewicz said. “If we have people come over we make sure that they park in our driveway.”
Mount Pleasant is certainly only one of the many local communities students can look to when searching for off-campus housing. What makes Mount Pleasant so unique is its diversity – residents who have lived in the community for decades and college students looking for a temporary place to reside.
“I think that if a long-time resident wants to meet the new neighbor, they can introduce themselves,” Flood said.
“Two of our neighbors actually came over and introduced themselves when we first moved in,” Karaszkiewicz said. “If that opportunity comes up [to introduce yourself] just say hello.”
As exciting as the freedom of living off-campus can be, there is never an excuse to become a distraction. Every person is a part of their respective community and should receive equal treatment from their surrounding counterparts.
“Living in a house off campus is much cheaper,” Flood said. “It is definitely something that students should look into for their junior and senior years.”
Just remember, be a good neighbor and try to acquaint yourself with the community.“Students need to be mindful of where they live,” Bokoski said.
“Just because you are college students does not give you the right to blast music at all hours and disrupt people. I feel as long as you are mindful of the people around you, you will be fine.”
