Premedical sophomore Eric Rising and his girlfriend, preveterinary medicine freshman Natalie Lis, have six pets: a cat, a guinea pig, a ball python, an American Staffordshire terrier and two rats.

"My girlfriend's a pre-vet major and I just like pets," Rising said. "That's why we have so many."

That is also the reason the couple chose to live in Brandywine Creek Apartments in northern East Lansing.

"That's the best quality about living here," Lis said. "Everyone here has a dog, so they're all dog people. We've made a lot of friends through our dog."

The couple's one-bedroom apartment is scattered with various animal housing contraptions and toys. A home-made cat 'castle' encompasses the litter box because "it gives her some privacy," Lis said, explaining the tiered cardboard columns.

The apartment's animal policy allows either two cats, two dogs or a dog and a cat and a limitless amount of caged animals. No Doberman pinschers, pit bulls, chows or Rottweilers are allowed.

Other apartments in northern East Lansing include Burnt Tree, Arbor Glen, The Pines, Abbott Pointe, Woodbrick Village, Valley Forge and Walden Woods.

Cooley law student Kris Miller recently moved to East Lansing from Colorado and chose Brandywine online.

"I've really grown to like this place," he said. "The property's nice. They're doing a lot of renovations. It's everything I'd expect."

Lis said a new dishwasher was installed in her apartment.

"They're redoing everything," Lis said. "They're getting new siding and some of the rooms are getting new carpeting."

Another benefit to living in Brandywine is its relatively close proximity to stores and campus, Lis said.

"Meijer is right down the road," Lis said. "And Meridian Mall is about eight minutes away. Eastwood Towne Center is pretty close too."

Brandywine has some drawbacks.

"I would say the biggest problem here is cars get broken into a lot," Rising said. "They don't actually steal the cars, they just steal the radios and CD players, which happens a lot on campus too."

Some residents complained it costs too much to do laundry — $1.25 for a washer and $1.25 for a dryer — and that apartments aren't furnished.

"We don't have a couch," Rising said. "Most of this stuff we've had to buy since we moved in.

"I really enjoy living here. Overall it's a great place," Rising said. "You're not going to have a perfect experience anywhere."

Brandywine is home to a number of graduate and doctoral students and some families, which creates a peaceful atmosphere.

"I really like that it's kind of quiet," said Miller. "It's a low-key area and I don't have to go away to study."

Other benefits Brandywine offers are a tennis court, volleyball nets, grills and an indoor/outdoor pool.

Lis and Rising's apartment has a small balcony.

"We've got a tiki torch and a wind chime out on our little balcony," Lis said. "I'm so happy I finally get to have a wind chime."

Overall, Rising said, seeking out housing that is not traditionally occupied by undergraduates was a better idea.

"Most apartments for students are like little dark rooms," Rising said. "We have lots of windows, a nice kitchen, central air and heat."