[amanu]

I have received offering letter from WMU, I am a scholarship awardee, my sponsor covers all of tuition and fees, but my allowance is only about $1300/month, is it enough for Kalamazoo area? Where should I live, so my allowance could cover my living cost and I can access transportation from my dorm/apartement to campus easily and safely.
Thank you

[fakkelsey]

I am sure the locals will help you much more than me as I am an hour north of there, but from what I have researched, the public transit it pretty good concerning WMU and connecting neighborhoods/downtown. My research showed just a small decline in cost of living from Grand Rapids. That being said, if splitting a house (renting a room) it could only be around $350 monthly. However, if renting an apartment, it will probably run you $550 to $650 monthly. However, you can find some cheaper than that but wait times are sometimes an issue. Without a car it would save you a lot of money, however, a car does give you much more freedom of course.

When I have a bit more time I will post a couple links to the area. I think on your income you will have little trouble.

[amanu]

Originally Posted by fakkelsey

I am sure the locals will help you much more than me as I am an hour north of there, but from what I have researched, the public transit it pretty good concerning WMU and connecting neighborhoods/downtown. My research showed just a small decline in cost of living from Grand Rapids. That being said, if splitting a house (renting a room) it could only be around $350 monthly. However, if renting an apartment, it will probably run you $550 to $650 monthly. However, you can find some cheaper than that but wait times are sometimes an issue. Without a car it would save you a lot of money, however, a car does give you much more freedom of course.

When I have a bit more time I will post a couple links to the area. I think on your income you will have little trouble.

Thank you for your reply. May I get a side job easily there? what is the minimum income so I will not have a trouble?

[amberlh]

I currently live in Kalamazoo and believe that you will be okay with $1300 per month. If you chose to live in a dorm, dorms are located on campus so accessing campus from your dorm would not be an issue. There are also many apartments and rental houses located close to campus that are either within walking distance or on the city bus route. Students can use the city bus for free. Finding a side job should not be a problem as long as you are persisent. There are many part- time jobs available but a lot of students are competing for part- time employment.

To give you an idea on rent prices, I have lived in a house with 3 other people for $300 a month, an apartment with 3 other people for $345 a month, a house with one other person for $344 and currently live in a small one bedroom apartment for $485 a month. I would say the average rent for living with others is about $350 and living alone is about $550. However, if you look carefully, you can find both of these for quite a bit cheaper.