Think… Pink Houses by John Mellencamp

It’s official. 

My three best friends and I have signed our lease for our college house next year. 

After all the hours of research, math and tours, we finally got the house that’s perfect for us. While I could talk about this for hours, here are some of the things I am most excited about:

1. The house is pink

Yep, you read that right! Most college houses in Allegany, NY have a ‘name’. Ours is “Pink” because the house is a sweet, blushy pink. How wonderful it is to be able to respond to the question “Where are you living next year” with “PINK”! What better way to celebrate girlhood, beginnings and endings than in a pink house? It’s literally Barbie’s dreamhouse. 

2. The firepit 

I have always had an affinity for campfires. I grew up camping in the woods every summer during the weeks I wasn’t at summer camp. There is something about the glow of a fire, the smell of the wood and the soft crackling that makes any place I’m in feel like home. The fact that Pink has a firepit means the world to me. Sitting around a fire is where the best memories are made, and I cannot wait to do this in my new home.

3. My landlord 

This one may sound silly, but it cannot be overlooked. When you hear the word ‘landlord’, I’m sure  nothing particularly positive comes to mind. I was nervous to start looking at off campus houses for the fear of being swindled. On the contrary, my landlord Kevin has made this process a dream. A father of daughters, he is extremely attentive to safety needs we may have, quick with any necessary repairs and a friendly guy we can trust. 

4. Hosting 

While we have hosted a few things in our townhouse, frankly, there is just not that much room. It’s perfect for four people, but having the 20 Her Campus girls over was a bit of a stretch. That won’t be a problem in Pink! I am so excited to make my home a “safe space” for others and offer a warm welcome.

5. My roommates 

The magic of Pink comes from who is living there. I could not be luckier. My three housemates are my best friends and have made the townhouse a home. I cannot wait for this to extend to our Barbie dreamhouse and make senior year the best one yet. One of my favorite memories from junior year so far has been when we did a random generator for selecting rooms in Pink. As we watched the wheel spin with all our names on the TV, we erupted in cheers and applause no matter what room we chose or how early we got to choose. It was a true moment of pure joy and excitement, not only for ourselves, but each other. 

Living off campus can be overwhelming. There is a lot of unknowns and a LOT of maturity/independence required. My best advice is to do what is best for you. Do your research, find your people and your path will make itself known. Have fun with it!

• barbie
• houses
• landlord
• pink
• roommates