Finding A Nest to Land In

By: Renelle Sandiford

As a college student in New York, especially when you move to the city for school, where you choose to live plays an integral role in your ‘college experience.’ Choices must be made. Are you going to stay with family? Would you rather choose student housing? Have you considered leasing an apartment? Each housing solution comes with its own pros and cons. 

After conversing with students at St. Francis College (SFC), I’ve been able to draw certain conclusions surrounding housing solutions. Many students find that staying with family is a great way to save money while in college. However, it comes at the cost of independence as many find that they must still follow their families’ rules even though they’re now adults. Contrastingly, student accommodations can give you the independence you may be looking for, but for many, the student accommodations at SFC can be pricey. Also, some students expressed frustration about the post-pandemic introduction of restrictions regarding having guests over. 

For students looking for independence, freedom, and responsibility, an alternative option is leasing an apartment. Finding quality roommates to rent with can be challenging but it makes this living solution much more affordable. For international students, however, their lack of U.S. credit history can make the rental process very arduous, leading to them needing to secure a guarantor or signing dodgy leasing agreements. 

At present, I lease an apartment with 2 roommates in Mott Haven, South Bronx. Mott Haven, named after the ironworks industrialist, Jordan L. Mott gets a bad reputation, along with the rest of South Bronx. I had my own concerns before moving here but after touring the area, witnessing the development the community was undergoing, and touring my building, most of my concerns subsided. 

Over the past year that I’ve been here, I’ve witnessed the construction of many high-rise residential complexes, the opening of new businesses, and the increased diversification of the community. With such rapid development, there is no surprise that the community is becoming so gentrified. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the concern of crime in the area. I’ve witnessed robberies, auto theft, and even had two instances where men attempted to follow me on the streets. As with any other neighborhood, it is imperative to be weary and take any necessary steps to protect oneself when in dangerous situations. 

The neighborhood also has a strong sense of community. It is quite common to see residents of the neighborhood socializing at Charlie’s Bar & Kitchen over the weekend, grabbing a coquito latte at 787 Coffee before getting some work done, or watching football and drinking beer at Hudson Smokehouse. Another prime example of community would be the local business, Bronx Native. They sell community apparel, do outreach programs, host events to strengthen bonds, raise awareness of community needs and advertise community resources. Last year also saw the introduction of ‘Bronx Tech Week.’ Being that my field of study is Information Technology, this piqued my interest. They had free panels, a hackathon, and a pitch contest to give residents the opportunity to get funding to launch their businesses. 

After living in 3 boroughs over the last three years, the conclusion that I’ve been able to draw is that home is where you make it. Mott Haven, just as any other community, has its imperfections. Although my time in the community has been limited, and is slowly drawing to a close, I appreciate it for all that it is, and all that it is becoming through the work of its passionate residents.