EXAM? JOIN the club RE - Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
EXAM? JOIN the club RE - Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
EXAM? JOIN the club RE - Stockholm School of Economics in Riga
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Lifestyle<br />
Where to live?<br />
<strong>the</strong> new study year has started and for<br />
Stick With The Parents<br />
As many <strong>of</strong> us it is <strong>the</strong> first one, different life<br />
decisions are aris<strong>in</strong>g. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m is, where<br />
to live? There are at least three choices: (a)<br />
one can stay liv<strong>in</strong>g with parents, (b) move <strong>in</strong>to<br />
<strong>the</strong> SSE dorms or (c) rent an apartment with<br />
friends or course mates. We will present you<br />
three examples <strong>of</strong> people hav<strong>in</strong>g different liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
situation. This will lead us to talk<strong>in</strong>g about<br />
pluses and m<strong>in</strong>uses about this liv<strong>in</strong>g place<br />
as well as about <strong>the</strong> expenses that follow<br />
it.If you are still wonder<strong>in</strong>g where to spend<br />
your study years, <strong>the</strong>re is def<strong>in</strong>itely a perfect<br />
place for you out <strong>the</strong>re. Maybe you will realize<br />
your ideal liv<strong>in</strong>g place while read<strong>in</strong>g this article.<br />
LIVING WITH PA<strong>RE</strong>NTS IN BALTEZERS, EXPENSES:<br />
Transportation costs:<br />
~ 26LVL/month<br />
1.3LVL/day<br />
Cater<strong>in</strong>g (outside home):<br />
~ 40-50LVL/month<br />
~2.00LVL/day<br />
Enterta<strong>in</strong>ment: on average ~25 LVL/month<br />
TOTAL: 96 LVL/MONTH<br />
iv<strong>in</strong>g with parents is not really an option for <strong>the</strong><br />
Lmost <strong>of</strong> SSE <strong>Riga</strong> students s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong>ir homes are ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />
outside <strong>Riga</strong> or even outside <strong>the</strong> country. However,<br />
those who live relatively close to <strong>the</strong> centre <strong>of</strong> <strong>Riga</strong> have<br />
<strong>the</strong> dilemma between stay<strong>in</strong>g with parents and leav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> nest. My decision <strong>in</strong> favour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first option was<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ly driven by f<strong>in</strong>ancial reasons. Rent<strong>in</strong>g an apartment<br />
and pay<strong>in</strong>g utility bills raise <strong>the</strong> costs quite significantly,<br />
while <strong>the</strong>se expenses can be avoided by liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
with parents. There are, <strong>of</strong> course, o<strong>the</strong>r benefits for<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g with parents. For example, after a study-hard day<br />
at <strong>the</strong> school, I do not have to th<strong>in</strong>k about grocery<br />
4 m<strong>in</strong>ute walk<br />
Liv<strong>in</strong>g with parents has many benefits such as mentioned<br />
before. But my first ma<strong>in</strong> reason for mov<strong>in</strong>g out<br />
was need <strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g close to school. At <strong>the</strong> moment it<br />
takes me 4 m<strong>in</strong>utes by walk<strong>in</strong>g to get to school while it<br />
took me one hour by tram before.<br />
opp<strong>in</strong>g and cook<strong>in</strong>g because most likely <strong>the</strong>re will<br />
shbe someth<strong>in</strong>g prepared already as I am usually <strong>the</strong><br />
last one com<strong>in</strong>g home. House chores are split between<br />
family members which makes a life easier than <strong>in</strong> case<br />
<strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dependently.<br />
The list <strong>of</strong> drawbacks <strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g with my parents is not<br />
a short one, but I will list just some. For <strong>in</strong>stance, <strong>the</strong><br />
distance is an issue. Baltezers is about 15km from <strong>the</strong><br />
centre <strong>of</strong> <strong>Riga</strong> (40m<strong>in</strong> bus ride). So, whenever I have a<br />
lecture at 8:15 I have to wake up at 6:30. The last bus<br />
to Baltezers leaves at 23:05. So, when I miss <strong>the</strong> bus<br />
due to studies (has never happened so far) or due to<br />
parties (happens always) I have to take taxi which aga<strong>in</strong><br />
cost 7-11 LVL depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> taxi company. Apart<br />
from this, lack <strong>of</strong> privacy sometimes is an issue when<br />
liv<strong>in</strong>g with parents, but <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> drawback is that I do<br />
not learn how to be <strong>in</strong>dependent. Even though it’s very<br />
convenient that <strong>the</strong> most house chores are done by<br />
someone else, it does not teach me <strong>the</strong> responsibility<br />
for tak<strong>in</strong>g care <strong>of</strong> my liv<strong>in</strong>g conditions. Independent live,<br />
however, forces people to look after <strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />
Have an Apartment, Have a Party<br />
LIVING IN A STUDENT APARTMENT NEXT TO SSE,<br />
EXPENSES:<br />
Rent:<br />
~100 LVL/month<br />
Cook<strong>in</strong>g at home:<br />
~60 LVL/month<br />
Enterta<strong>in</strong>ment:<br />
~30 LVL/month<br />
TOTAL: 190 LVL/MONTH<br />
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