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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 />

26

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