Arrangements

I chose to pursue my MD/PhD training at WashU in part because I wanted to live like an adult during my twenties. WashU’s MSTP stipend relative to the cost of living in St. Louis affords one a comfortable, middle-class lifestyle that includes the opportunity to buy surprisingly nice real estate. Knowing that I’d be living in St. Louis for eight years, I wanted to purchase a condo as soon as possible. In addition to not losing the better part of a decade’s worth of rent, I was excited to buy so I could enjoy improving my investment and customizing a place for throwing awesome parties.

After deciding on WashU, I found a realtor and toured several condos with my mom and girlfriend at Second Look. Eventually, we found an awesome condo in DeBaliviere Place, which is one MetroLink stop west of campus and a block north of the beautiful Forest Park. My realtor put me in contact with a banker that specializes in (future) physician’s loans, and we worked out a loan with a small down payment and reasonable monthly installments without requiring a cosigner. I moved in before my summer rotation and have been enjoying the perks of being a homeowner since.

So far, I have hosted a few gatherings at my place. Below is a picture from my Halloween caramel apple party. Here, most of my MSTP classmates and their statistically significant others are enjoying Butterbeer and homemade caramel apples in my living room. Believe me when I say owning a condo beats the dorm life!

Second Look can be a good time to find a roommate, though I thought that was a bit hard because I wasn’t sure who would actually commit to WashU or if I would at that time either. Luckily, the upperclass students set up a great Google doc that had a bunch of housing info on it, as well as a page for people who were looking for roommates. This included people in our class who wanted a roommate, and people in the classes above who had an open space in their apartment. People listed their living styles and what they were looking for, so it made it easier to figure out who you might be compatible with. I had luckily met my future roommate during Second Look, so after a couple of emails we decided it would be a good fit and the rest is HISTORY!!

I really enjoy living alone! In college, I lived in large groups (4, 8) for a few years and then with one roommate my junior and senior year. There are many aspects of having roommates that I miss: I liked always being able to hang out or chat with people without having to intentionally make plans, and I really enjoyed having people over.

Living alone also has its advantages though. I like to study in my room, and it’s nice to not have to worry about when the space will be quiet. I also feel less guilty if I leave a little bit of clutter around or keep odd hours. One benefit of living in the Core is that it’s a little like a dorm. Many of my neighbors are good friends of mine, so there are always people around to study or hang out with.

Living at home is the bomb. Let me address your concerns.

1. The transportation is not a big deal. I commute 30 minutes both ways. I pray the rosary and listen to podcasts or call my long-distance fiancée. Parking is usually at a friend’s apartment with an extra spot, or at a free Metro parking spot at Richmond Heights.
2. I am really saving a lot of money. Whatever deal you work out with your parents will probably be better than a landlord.
3. I still have friends in med school! Sometimes, I even crash at a buddy’s place if I happen to be at the med school late. I pay them back by inviting them over to play with my parents’ dogs. They are a huge hit.

TL;DR: You can live at home if you are lucky enough to have the option, still have friends, and save as much money as you think you’re going to save.

Living with a medical student is the best! Nothing is better than coming home and knowing another M1 is there to understand how tough that anatomy dissection was or how fun the M1/M2 mixer was. We get to relax together, study together, and pick up each other’s groceries when needed (s/o to my roommate <3). There are so many things going on in medical school and it’s great to have a roommate to share the experience with.