For thousands of University students, the initial magic of dorm life they feel on move-in day has turned into a dull existence by the end of the year.

Fortunately for these students, Crimson Choice and the Tuscaloosa community offer many options for those wishing to move off campus for the rest of their time at the University of Alabama.

Crimson Choice, a program run by the University for students seeking off-campus housing, offers housing help through their website, crimsonchoice.com.

The site includes lists of property criteria, Crimson Choice approved properties and contact help. Their approved property list includes more than 200 locations in the Tuscaloosa and Northport area.

Properties certified by Crimson Choice must meet a criteria list that includes 73 different measures on everything from safety to pest control and living standards.

Crimson Choice offers a great deal more information on their website as well, including a place for new apartment complexes to sign up to receive certification from Crimson Choice. For students, Crimson Choice provides the University’s Safer Living Guide, the Campus Security Report and a number of public safety links.

If a student still cannot find the information he needs through Crimson Choice, there are still plenty of options around town.

“I had no problem finding an affordable place close to campus,” said Cliff Carlson, a sophomore with an undeclared major.

Carlson said that when he began looking for off-campus housing, proximity to campus, privacy, affordability and security were his main concerns. He said he was able to find a location that met his needs with University Downs.

“As glamorous as Paty [Hall] is, I chose to leave campus because living off campus offers much more freedom—and in some cases luxury—for basically around the same cost,” Carlson said. “Living in a traditional style dorm building then moving to an apartment was definitely an improvement in terms of living conditions.”

David Jones, assistant vice president of student affairs and executive director of housing and residential communities said it is HRC’s goal to provide the best experience possible for on-campus students.

“It is our hope that all students are different when they leave campus housing than when they arrived,” Jones said. “Any living experience, particularly on-campus living, provides meaningful learning opportunities to hone interpersonal skills.”

Jones said that HRC has created resources to assist students with their transition from on- to off-campus living.

“Naturally, during an academic career at UA, some students will choose to move off campus. To assist students with moving off campus, we provide assistance with this big step through Julie Elmore, assistant director for Off-Campus and Greek Housing,” Jones said. “Julie has built a great website with resources, hosts several off-campus housing fairs, and meets with hundreds of students to help them narrow down their selection.”

Samantha Kirby, a junior in New College, chose to search for housing on her own, however, employing other resources available to students through off-campus sources.

“I went to the Sealy office and asked them what they had available in my price range, and they gave me a list of places to check out,” Kirby said.

Kirby said that living off campus was not a huge disconnect from campus life.

“I’m off campus, but the majority of my days are still spent on campus, so there really hasn’t been too much in the way of adjustment,” Kirby said. “I will say it’s really nice to have a home removed from school, though. It makes my time more manageable, makes it easier to relax at home.”

Kirby said there are clear positives and negatives for students considering a move off campus.

“Pros. [It’s] quieter, more room and more freedom, and you’re surrounded by your own things, your own furniture; it feels more permanent and homey,” Kirby said. “You set your own rules and regulations, for the most part.

“Cons. Proximity, you can’t really just roll out of bed and be in class ten minutes later,” Kirby said. “Paying bills … you don’t see the monthly amounts when you’re in the dorms, you just pay and let it go.

“And there tend to be more bugs,” Kirby said.