Thousands of Penn State students search for the perfect living arrangement each year. Their hunt often focuses on finding what many consider to be the best possible situation in State College -- the ever-elusive house.

"The main reason is basically we all want our own bedrooms," said Michael Dean (junior-business administration), "and a hamster cage."

Dean, a resident of Beaver Hill, 309 E. Beaver Ave., said with a house, there is not only more space, but also more freedom. And the freedom to have a barbecue, play horseshoes and throw a larger party than in the smaller space of an apartment is highly appealing, he added.

Horatiu Lemnei (junior-telecommunications) said his roommates had been searching for a house because of the overcrowding of their apartment.

"We feel like we don't have enough space, and any disputes are hard to resolve because we constantly see each other," Lemnei said.

With the high demand for houses, some students often wonder why more houses are not available.

"We can't find one ... We went to local real estate places; they're either taken for the next three years, or you have to know someone or the landlord. They don't really have to advertise," Lemnei said.

Kris Holzwarth, property manager of Associated Realty Property Management, 956 E. Beaver Ave., said there are simply fewer student houses than apartments. She also said there is a wide demand for different types of housing arrangements, and apartments are frequently in better condition than houses, usually because they are newer.

"There's more responsibility in renting a house. The students have to usually take care of the lawn and snow removal. It really requires more on the renter's part," Holzwarth said.

With the all the hassle that comes along with a house, it can sometimes just be easier to rent an apartment, said Bridget Gray (sophomore-public relations).

"It's just more convenient. Everything is consolidated," she said.

With an apartment, bills are easily divided in payment plans, and there are reliable people to take care of any problems that might occur, like something getting broken, Gray said.

"And the apartment comes already furnished, which is always a plus," she said.

Location can also be a deciding factor in the search for housing, with many apartment complexes offering a shorter walk to classes than from houses.

"It's all about the location," said Christina Geonnotti (sophomore-marketing). "It's a good price for living so close to campus."

While the search for a house may be difficult, students may have just as hard a time finding an apartment with the necessary amenities.

Rob Venema of Nevin's Real Estate Management, 108 W. Beaver Ave., said students should start looking early to find what thev need, and the closer to campus students want to live, the less space they will receive and the more money they will spend.

"You can find apartments later in the year ... It's more legwork, but you may have to compromise on the things you are looking for," Venema said.

However, the freedom of living in a house may convince some students that it would be worth the longer walk to campus.

"The more bedrooms a place has, the farther from campus I'll allow myself to move," Dean said.