At University Edge, we cover water and trash for all studioapartments. However, in an effort to keep rent as low as possible, trashis the only service provided at everylocation.
Ameren of Illinois (Electricity):
To set up electricity, you must use Amerenof Illinois. You may set up an account with Ameren via phoneat 1-800-755-5000 or online here.
To ensure electricity is on in your apartment upon your move-in, we recommend contacting Ameren at least one weekbefore your move-in date–as Ameren is very busy at the beginning of the semesters.
If you need help setting up your electricity through Ameren, contact Ameren Customer Support. They will guide you through all the steps of creating an account through Ameren’s website.
Explore Carbondale (Water):
To set up water, you must use the City of Carbondale. You can visit the CarbondaleCivicCenter in person or go online to create a new account. You’ll need to upload a photo ID and pay a $100 deposit for water connection.
If you need assistance, you can call or visit the Carbondale Civic Center (618) 457-3209, 200 S Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901.
Frontier & Mediacom (Internet):
You have two choices of internet providers: Frontierand Mediacom. Frontier is a DSL internet provider (this provides a good connection for light online activity). Mediacom is an internet/cable/phone provider that delivers service via coaxial cable (this provides a better connection for heavy online activity).
You may set up a Frontier account via phoneat (618) 997-1062 or onlinehere.
You may set up a Mediacom account via phoneat 1-855-633-4226 or onlinehere.
All University Edge properties are equipped for both DSL and coaxial cable. You can skip the installation fee if you have your own router and connect it yourself, in which case Mediacom will simply switch on your Internet. Otherwise, Mediacom will need to enter your apartment to install a router which comes with a one-time installation fee. Visit their website or give them a call to ask about pricing.
If you have any other questions about utilities, contact University Edge and we’ll be happy to help!
It is easy to get lost in the numbers when you are searching for housing. But it is easier to create a spreadsheet to help guide you to the right choice. The #1 thing to keep in mind when using spreadsheets is accessibility. You need to be able to access and input data at all times, and there is no better way than to keep this data on your phone–because, if you are like me, your phone is rarely far from you.
Google Drive is a college student’s best friend! It’s a free Microsoft Office suite with unlimited storage and accessibility– all you need to do is sign into your Google account! This simple spreadsheet hack starts with Google Forms.
Step 1) Create & Customize a Google Form:
Google Forms is a tool within Google Drive that will make inputting your data into a spreadsheet fast and easy. To create a Google Form, go to Google drive and click “New.”
You will see several options appear, such as Folder, File Upload, Google Docs, Google Sheets..etc. Once you are here click the option for “More.”
Once you click on Google Forms, you will be redirected to the new form Google has created for you to customize. It will appear as depicted below:
Now you can create this form to be whatever you wish. I would suggest changing the input fields to short answer so you have the ability to input any data you need. Click on “Multiple Choice” to see all field choices Google allows on this form.
Design the form to work for you, but if you need some direction, here is a screenshot of the form I use when apartment shopping:
Step 2) Save Your New Google Form to Your Phone’s Home Screen:
Once your form is created, send the form to yourself in an email. This email will contain the URL Google designates to your form for access. Open this email that you have sent to yourself from your phone. The next steps in this article will pertain to steps you must take on your phone– our goal is to save the form to the home screen of your phone so you will be able to input data as you shop for apartments. Begin by clicking “SEND.”
Below is a screenshot of the email you will receive from yourself. Once you have received this email, click “Fill Out Form.” You will be redirected to the form itself via the default web browser that is in your phone’s settings. In this article, I will be showing you how to save a web page to your home screen within Google Chrome; however, the instructions will be similar across all phone’s web browsers.
Once you are at the form, click on the three dots vertically aligned in the top right corner of your phone’s screen. This button will allow you to access your web browser’s options (in this example Google Chrome’s options).
Once you are in Google Chrome’s options (or your web browser’s options), click “Add to Home screen.”
After clicking, you will be able to title the form any name you wish (this will be the name that appears on your homescreen below the Google Forms icon).
After you have given your form a stellar title and clicked “ADD,” congratulations! You have successfully created a beautiful Google Form that is going to make apartment shopping so much easier!
Now, go to the homescreen on your phone. Your phone will add the Google Form icon to the nearest available icon slot within your home screen pages. If you are like me and have several pages on your home screen, check the last page. You will see a purple icon with the title you gave the form listed below. Simply press & hold the icon to move the shortcut to your form to the page on your home screen that will be most accessible for you.
Here is where I put mine:
Step 3) Export Your Data to a Spreadsheet in Google Sheets:
Now, it’s one thing to have the ability to input data quickly and easily, but your data will be useless you can view it in a spreadsheet. Exporting the data you input from this form will allow you to compare prices and your thoughts about the apartments you have seen. To export, access your new Google Form from Google Drive on your computer (make sure to log into the same Google Account that you created the form).
Once you click on the form within Google Drive, you will be redirected to the form you just created. At the top of the form you will see “Questions” and “Responses,” click on “Responses.”
The responses tab will allow you to see individual data that you have entered during your shopping experiences. This may be useful for quick reference; however, for the purposes of comparison, we need this data in a spreadsheet. There will be a green icon in the upper right area of the form; this is a Google Sheets icon. Click on the Google Sheets icon, Google will create a Google Sheets spreadsheet and transfer all the data you have entered into the form you have created. And what’s more, Google will automatically update this same Google Sheets spreadsheet when you input new data!
Data gives you the ability to make quick & strategic decisions that benefit your exact needs! Google makes collecting and viewing data so easy and will guide you to the best decisions in all your shopping experiences. I hope this hack helps make apartment shopping a little easier and much less stressful! Happy saving!
Finding an apartment in Carbondale is difficult because it’s too easy. Everywhere you look in town you will see signs saying “Leasing Now” “First Month Free” or even “Brand New TV in each Unit”. Carbondale has an increasing amount of housing options each year; whether you are living in the dorms or living off campus, the enormous amount of options in Carbondale may overwhelm you.
I’m here to help you filter through the advertising and find the unit that will actually work best for you. There are several elements you need to look for in the leasing process, but chief among these elements are price points and maintenance.
Of course if you are seeking a specific amenity, such as a pool near the complex, or a gym in your building, your options will limit themselves naturally–this is because there only a few firms that offer these luxuries. However, if you are looking for a cost effective, quiet and clean place to live during your time in Carbondale, it may be difficult to narrow your options and make a confident choice for your housing. The following is my best help guide to help you filter through all the ads and promises so you can find the specific unit that will work best for you:
#1) Collect Data & Make a Spreadsheet:
It is easy to get lost in the numbers when you are searching for housing. But it is even easier to create a spreadsheet to help guide you to the right choice. The #1 thing to keep in mind when using a spreadsheet is accessibility. You need to be able to input data at all times, and there is no better way than to keep this data on your phone–because, if you’re like me, your phone is rarely far from you. If you want to learn how I keep my data accessible and clean, check out my post This Google Hack Will Save you Money.
#2) Physically Visit the Specific Unit You Wish to Lease:
Many firms use show models that are decorated and specifically designed to create a good experience for their visitors. These show models are helpful for envisioning how you can decorate and arrange the unit with your own items; however, these show models are not helpful for seeing the unit. Every item that is placed in an apartment takes up space and subtracts an area you can see in the unit. I advise all that are seriously looking for an apartment to ask the tour guide if you can see the exact unit you will be leasing. This way you can see exactly what your money will be buying.
#3) Consider all Your Options:
Think about the location of the complex (Is it close to your work? Is it close to your lecture halls? Is there food close to you? Can I walk home from where I will be?), and what’s more, think about where your unit is located specifically within the the complex itself (Is there a unit directly above me? Do I share a wall with another person? What can I see from my windows…what can see me from my windows?). These questions are just starting points, you are looking for yourself, and you know what you want best! Go back through the data you have collected and consider your costs and the benefits you will receive by taking on certain costs. Ask yourself questions like: is the increased rent of a newly renovated apartment worth it to me? Are the savings of leasing a standard apartment worth more to me? Do I require a dishwasher/laundry machine/microwave in my unit and is the rent increase worth it to me? Will I be paying for my own electricity use, or is my increased rent paying for my neighbors electricity too? Am I willing to pay more for space, or will I be happier saving money living in a smaller unit?
It is too easy to become bogged down with all the advertising promises and numbers thrown at you when searching for college housing. Fight back! Filter through the mess and find what is best for you!
