From Nick: "Should you buy your college student a house? Yes, and you should let six adjuncts live there, too." From US Snooze. (That's not Nick's awful joke; it's mine.)
I live about a mile and a half from the university. One house across the street was bought by some parents in Connecticut so that their son could attend law school. After three year, when the son graduated, the Connecticut couple moved in and they have been a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. A well heeled father bought the house next door for his son to attend the same university. After one semester, the son announced he didn't like it (or was flunking out). So the father sold the house and now I have new neighbors.
The article itself is pretty sensible (in fact, refreshingly realistic about the skills, maturity level, etc., etc. of the average college freshperson, and the ability of others -- even those with considerable financial leverage -- to evoke more mature behavior simply by expecting it). The (original) headline made me think "oh, dear; there's a sign that another real estate bubble is forming."
The real sign: if we get back to a point where a considerable portion of my students are serving as mortgage application reviewers (true story -- I had several long about 2005).
I'm seriously considering moving closer to campus myself in the next few years (by which point I might *just* be able to afford it), and *might* consider the ability to rent out rooms as insurance against the possibility that my job disappears just as I've moved to be close to it (yes, I'm something of a pessimist, based on sad experience), but, if so, I'd be *very* picky in choosing roommates.
A nice house within walking distance of the uni I was renting got bought out from under me for this purpose at my last post-doc. What a hassle! But we had turned down the opportunity to buy it, so we can't exactly complain. Much.
I heard that the daughter got fed up after about three semesters. Well, Daddy had said he'd keep it for a rental, so maybe it worked out OK for them.
I live about a mile and a half from the university. One house across the street was bought by some parents in Connecticut so that their son could attend law school. After three year, when the son graduated, the Connecticut couple moved in and they have been a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteA well heeled father bought the house next door for his son to attend the same university. After one semester, the son announced he didn't like it (or was flunking out). So the father sold the house and now I have new neighbors.
The article itself is pretty sensible (in fact, refreshingly realistic about the skills, maturity level, etc., etc. of the average college freshperson, and the ability of others -- even those with considerable financial leverage -- to evoke more mature behavior simply by expecting it). The (original) headline made me think "oh, dear; there's a sign that another real estate bubble is forming."
ReplyDeleteThe real sign: if we get back to a point where a considerable portion of my students are serving as mortgage application reviewers (true story -- I had several long about 2005).
I'm seriously considering moving closer to campus myself in the next few years (by which point I might *just* be able to afford it), and *might* consider the ability to rent out rooms as insurance against the possibility that my job disappears just as I've moved to be close to it (yes, I'm something of a pessimist, based on sad experience), but, if so, I'd be *very* picky in choosing roommates.
And welcome to our visitor from Naura! I'd never heard of Naura before, so I learned something today.
ReplyDeleteA nice house within walking distance of the uni I was renting got bought out from under me for this purpose at my last post-doc. What a hassle! But we had turned down the opportunity to buy it, so we can't exactly complain. Much.
ReplyDeleteI heard that the daughter got fed up after about three semesters. Well, Daddy had said he'd keep it for a rental, so maybe it worked out OK for them.