USD 266 students that live in apartments have a much different view outside of school than those that live in other large housing neighborhoods around Maize.

Maize High freshman Lance Anderson is used to his apartment living and appreciates the space his family has. He lives with just his mom and their cat and they have plenty of space for just two people.

“I’ve lived in the apartment for two years,” said Anderson.  “I don’t like or hate my apartment, it’s just my home for right now.”

Anderson enjoys the extra spaces the apartment complex offers including their balcony, apartment workout area, swimming pool and even a dog park.

“It’s pretty big with two rooms, both with walk-in closets and two bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen that are all pretty big, so there’s plenty of space for just me and my mom,” said Anderson. “We have a pool and a gym and since we’re on the main road, I can bike anywhere I want, so working out and biking are my main hobbies.”

While his apartment is large enough for their entire family, he still enjoys being by himself in his room and also having friends over.

“I spend lots of time with friends,” said Anderson. “But normally just stay in my room because family can get pretty annoying in an apartment.”

One major factor of living in apartments is the distraction of other neighbors above or below you and having other people you don’t know live close to you. He gets away from his neighbors by just being outside around Maize and away from the apartment complex.

“I don’t do any sports or clubs but I’m still outside a lot and pretty active. Every day I wake up and go down to the gym or bike or if I’m too tired I just sleep in,” said Anderson. “We normally get lunch and if we have plans we finish those and then come back home, and if I didn’t work out in the morning then I’ll work out at night while my mom sits inside all day.”

The Anderson family will move to their actual home sometime in the next year and Lance looks forward to even more space to have friends over for biking, gaming and skateboarding.

“We’ll be moving to a pretty nice house as soon as in the next year or so,” said Anderson. “Most houses right now are pretty expensive still, though they have gone down in price since 2020-21. Most houses we look at are about 5,000-6,000 square feet, so a pretty considerable upgrade to the couple hundred [square feet] we have in the apartment.”