Rent prices are only going up, and it’s getting more challenging for students at Stan State to find housing they can afford. Students need help finding a place to live, managing their expenses, and coming up with budget strategies.

Itzayana Romo (Communications, Senior) commutes from her family home in Delhi, just 15 minutes from campus. Staying at home is her best and most affordable choice while she finishes her studies.

“I chose this option because it was cheaper. I get to live with my parents and siblings, and it saves me so much money,” she said.

Romo thinks saving money is important, but she knows many students want to live near campus.”It’s less stressful not having to commute far, but I don’t mind the short drive right now,” she shared.

Romo doesn’t plan to stick around in Turlock after graduating, but it’s not because of the housing market. “I want to find a job in Southern California, like San Diego,” she said.

When it comes to getting a house, she’s not thinking about it right now.

“Renting is more realistic for me right now. I’d rather save up to buy a house later when I’m in a better financial position,” she explained.

Romo, just like many other students, is struggling with the weight of student loans and debt. This makes buying a home seem like a fairytale.

“It’s definitely a stress, paying off loans and trying to afford a place at the same time,” Romo said.

Riley Villalovoz (Creative Media, Senior) is dealing with the housing crisis as a renter. Living in Ripon, which is about a 45-minute drive from campus, she’s juggling rent, bills, and the cost of commuting.

“The cost of living has gone up like crazy. I pay for my rent, groceries, and bills, which affects my budget,” Villalovoz explained.

Like many students, Villalovoz is feeling the pinch when it comes to money.

“I had to pay for my parking pass, which was a surprise considering how much we already pay in tuition. Plus, there’s gas and textbooks. It all adds up,” she said.

Villalovoz has some tips for new students who are having trouble finding a place to live. “Explore all your options. Don’t just settle for the first place you find, especially if it’s expensive. Look into off-campus housing or apartments in nearby towns. You can save a lot by broadening your search.”

Villalovoz finds the housing market pretty overwhelming when thinking about the future.

“It’s intimidating. Debt is real, and prices are rising every day. Buying a house after graduation will be tough, but it’s doable if you budget carefully,” she said.

Lena Magee (English, Senior) lives 45 minutes from campus in a rural area between Tracy and Patterson. Like Romo, she commutes to save money and fulfill responsibilities at home.

“Living at home rent-free just makes sense for me. I have obligations there, and it’s still cheaper to commute than to live on campus,” she said.

Even though the drive was pretty long, Lena feels lucky to have her family’s support.

“I’m lucky that my parents help with a lot of my expenses, and I’ve been saving for college since I was young,” she shared.

Magee thinks the future of student housing looks uncertain at best.

“Things such as groceries, gas, and everything are only getting more expensive. It’s hard to predict where things are headed, but I don’t think it looks good. Students already have to choose between housing and schooling, and that’s not a choice anyone should make,” she said.

Magee hasn’t made up her mind about what she wants to do after she graduates, but she’s not sure if she’ll stick around in Turlock.

“I’m not a city person, and Turlock is growing in that direction,” she said, “We’ll see where things go.”

These three students represent only a small part of the larger student population. A lot of students are struggling because of the tough housing market. This makes it hard for them to focus on their studies when dealing with money problems. The students at Stan State are really resilient and they’re doing all they can to tackle this challenge, whether they’re traveling from home, living nearby, or preparing for the future.

With the rising cost of living, it’s obvious that the housing problem will continue to be a big issue for students during and after college. While some are fortunate to have family support, others are just getting by on tight budgets, hoping for a future where housing is more affordable.