Living on your own for the first time is an experience that, while difficult, is ultimately rewarding.

There are numerous options for the prospective renter - residence halls, apartments and houses. Each has its own pros and cons, and ultimately affects the way a new student will perceive his or her college experience.

The Center for Off-Campus Students

The phrase "college life" for many invokes images of life in residence halls on campus. However, at the University of Arizona, the majority of students do not live on campus, said Ann Wolnick, director of the Center for Off-Campus Students.

Wolnick said 81 percent of UA students live off campus.

"If you live off campus, you feel like everyone else on campus is connected already, living on campus," Wolnick said.

The center, located in Student Union Room 353, is "a place to hang your hat" for students living off campus, Wolnick said.

The center provides a number of free services like weekly housing lists, lists for those seeking roommates or residence, and in-center services like a courtesy phone, message board, and electronic mail access.

Legal information and assistance are also available to students through the center, free of charge.

The UA also publishes an apartment guide and renters handbook each year, which is free to students.

"Every single student who rents should have a copy," Wolnick said.

The guide is a comprehensive look at every aspect of rental, from finding a place to living with roommates, and even includes the entire Arizona Landlord/Tenant Act as a reference.

A copy of the guide is available in the center, or to have a copy of the guide mailed, send a check for $2.50 to the Center for Off-Campus Students, University of Arizona, Student Union Room 353, Tucson, AZ, 85721. You can contact the center by phone at 6 21-7597.

Living Off Campus

There are many properties for rent in the UA area, including apartments and houses. If it is a house you are looking for, it is difficult to find a house without physically touring a neighborhood, seeking out "for rent" signs.

"Most landlords within a one-mile radius do not advertise anywhere," Wolnick said.

Homes in the UA area often appear in the Arizona Daily Wildcat classifieds, and there are numerous agencies in town that will help students find a house.

Video Apartment Guide, which has two locations in Tucson, offers a number of services to prospective renters, free of charge.

"We can serve any property-related student needs," said Steve Acedo, owner of Video Apartment Guide.

"If you are in Tucson, we can show you a video. The other way is the Internet," Acedo said.

"The best way for an out-of-town person to find an apartment, but in mid to high price range," said Wolnick of Video Apartment Guide.

You can contact Video Apartment Guide at 290-0818 or 887-7368. Their Internet address is videoapartmentguide.com.

"Slick advertising means the place will cost more," said Wolnick. She explained that big places that charge more per month are the ones who can afford to advertise.

Donna Steward, publisher of the Tucson Apartment Guide, said her publication distributes 18,000 copies around town each month. To have a guide sent to your home anywhere in the United States, call 1-800-551-APTS.

The UA apartment guide and renters handbook estimates costs for apartments, houses, townhouses, duplexes, condos and guest houses on Page 3. It states average rent as approximately $200-$300 per room.

On-Campus Living

Living on campus will cost you from $1,745 to $4,026 per year. There are 18 dorms on campus to choose from.

"Parents have told me that on-campus and off-campus are about the same cost," Wolnick said.

"There is research out there that students who live in residence halls for the first year, that population tends to perform better academically," said Steven Gilmore, assistant director of the Department of Residence Life.

"It's a chance for you to plug into those opportunities for involvement before you move off campus," Gilmore said. "There are a lot of structured opportunities for the residents to get to know each other."

There are currently about 5,000 students living in the residence halls, Gilmore said. He said 65 to 70 percent of the residents in the halls are freshmen.

For more information about living on campus, contact Residence Life at 621-6500.