During the week I live in an off-campus dormitory. I have my own room (about 200 sq. ft.) and share bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities with the other residents. I pay $450 per month which includes water, gas and electricity. Telephone service, TV cable service, internet access or parking cost extra. We pay a small weekly bathroom cleaning service fee. Pets of any kind are not allowed. It is very basic, my friends in Wisconsin have seen pictures of it and joke that it reminds them of a cell block. I'm lucky to have even found housing near campus though, (1 block at that!) because this semester there has been a major housing shortage.

Independence is nice and everything but let's just say I really look forward to going home on the weekends. Air conditioning, wireless internet access, a COMFY bed....ahhh

I hope you can find a place to suit your needs, Amy! I have faith that in time you will. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SEARCH!