Access codes, advisor meetings and hurried discussions among friends about possible roommates – the sounds of this year’s housing lottery are drifting through the air across campus. Among them, the possibility of off-campus housing lingers with a faint confusion and for good reason – each option has its own quirks. Taking a brisk walk across the street and down West Friendly with a right on Muirs Chapel, we find The Legacy at Friendly Manor, just over half a mile away from Guilford!

 Apartments with one to three rooms and one to two bathrooms
 Between 650 sq. feet and 1450 sq. feet of space
 Pets allowed (non-aggressive)
 Between $620 and $1300 a month
 Washer & dryer in the apartment (except the “Dean” and “Garbo” models)
 Dishwasher, microwave, and air conditioning included
 Rent includes electricity, water & sewer, trash, and cable
 Internet ready, though it’s not included
 $200 deposit “It’s not that it’s unfriendly, but it doesn’t lend itself to the communal feeling. It’s pretty
 suburban,” said Guilford student and Legacy resident, Austin Shriner.

Moving back down Friendly in the other direction, we find Madison Woods on Tomahawk Drive, which is roughly the same distance from campus. Madison woods largely caters to students and people with children. While each of these apartment complexes has its own community facilities and benefits (pools, dog parks, etc.) Madison Woods is the only one in the immediate area with a playground.

 Apartments with two to three rooms and one to two bathrooms
 Between 930 sq. feet and 1260 sq. feet of space
 Pets allowed (breed restrictive)
 Between $665 and $835 a month
 $100 deposit
 Air conditioning and dishwasher included
 Furnished available
 Balconies available
 Rent includes water & sewer and trash
 Internet and washer/dryer ready, though it’s not included

Finally, traveling all the way back down West Friendly to just behind the Harris Teeter, Westborough Apartments at Friendly (formerly Friendly Hills Apartments) sits idly in perpetual construction. Since the massive renovation to become Westborough, it’s easy to see vast improvement structurally, because it’s still going on.

There is a very important amount of convenience in the location of Westborough. Located directly behind Harris Teeter, the apartments are only a short distance from Guilford and the majority of the surrounding stores, which allows for the ability to spend a fair deal of time outside.

 Apartments with one to two rooms and one to two bathrooms
 Between 678 sq. feet and 966 sq. feet of space
 Pets allowed (75lb weight limit)
 Between $620 and $1300 a month-Dishwasher, microwave, and air conditioning included
 Rent includes water & trash
 Internet, cable and washer/dryer ready, though it’s not included
 $100 deposit “Crime is a serious issue at Westborough. I had two different cars stolen at different times while I was living there,” said former Westborough resident and Guilford alumnus Matt Marana.