It was the convenient location of Riverpark Apartments that first appealed to accounting junior Casey Hall.

The Business College Complex where she attends most of her classes is right across Bogue Street from her apartment.

"I really enjoy living here and enjoy the short walk to campus," she said.

She said her monthly rental payment is comparable to that of other students living close to campus, because she and her three roommates decided to share rooms.

Hall is one of many students who said they would make monetary and spatial sacrifices in order to enjoy the convenience associated with housing venues closer to campus.

Kinesiology senior Aaron Scheidies said it takes him about 15 minutes to walk from his apartment in Haslett Arms to campus and the majority of his classes.

"We live in one of the best locations," he said. "Right near campus and lots of restaurants."

Although the quality of the apartment was lower than expected, with regard to his rent payment, Scheidies said he greatly values the location of his apartment.

"I wouldn't trade this location for anything further away, even if it had a much cheaper rent," he said.

Andrew Alberts, an economics senior living in an apartment in Dover's Crossing, said that although it is cheaper to live further away from campus, one has to sacrifice time to wait for and take a bus into campus or money to pay for parking on campus.

"I would be willing to pay more for an apartment closer to campus," Alberts said. "I don't like the location.

"We got to a late start looking for an apartment last school year and ended up further away than we had hoped."

The recent development of apartment complexes north and south of campus has also drawn students farther away from campus. Despite the distance from campus, students are paying more to live there.

The more expensive monthly payment accounts for the newer apartment, amenities and the luxury of a private room.

Apartment complexes in the Northern Tier, including Melrose Apartments, Crossing Place Apartments, Capstone Commons and the Village at Chandler Crossing, offer fitness centers, pools, tanning beds, a computer laboratory and a commons area to renters.

Criminal justice senior C.J. Sierzputsowski drives to campus from his apartment in Sterling University Court, located near Jolly and Dunckel roads in Lansing.

He said he doesn't mind the drive, which lasts about 10 to 15 minutes each morning.

"I like being off campus because there are less distractions," Sierzputsowski said. "You don't have the hustle and bustle of campus nearby. The parking situation is better out here too."

He said living further away from campus is worth it because of the higher quality of the apartments.

"After three years of sharing a room, the privacy of having my own room is a good deal," Sierzputsowski said.