Tired of the loud party noise, crowded parking and continuous litter, Joe Miller said he began looking for a calmer setting where he could still party like a college student, but live a normal life.

Miller, a senior in recreation from Red Bud, said he and his friends wanted to move away from Lewis Park, 800 E. Grand Ave., and live in what he called a nicer, more productive setting.

Basically, we wanted a quiet neighborhood because we wanted a nice house with a yard, big rooms and a washer and dryer, he said. You can’t find that type of quality in a lot of student housing.

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Before finding permanent residency, students should find the section of town which best suits their lifestyle and in which residents respect their neighbors’ privacy, Linda Gladson, Carbondale senior planner, said.

Students should be aware of the difference in lifestyle because many students have different schedules, as opposed to a community couple going to work everyday while raising a child, Gladson said.

Tom Redmond, Building and Neighborhood Services director, said students should be aware that there are neighborhoods zoned to make students respect permanent community members.

Students have different kinds of daily schedules than someone who is maintaining a compatible type of living, Redmond said. Sometimes, those two lifestyles don’t mix well.

Redmond said Building and Neighborhood Services reserves areas that are more conducive for a family-type setting, but students are still welcome to live there.

Redmond said R-1 zoning areas are regions where occupancy is limited to one family plus one unrelated person and no more than two unrelated people in one residence.

Miller, who lives in R-1 zoning at 605 W. Owens St., said he found himself more impressed with houses in the R-1 zones than the other housing students typically rent.

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All of the houses that I considered living in required two out of three residents to be family members, he said. It wasn’t a problem finding a family member because my brother was coming to school for this year.

Miller said most of his neighbors are permanent residents with families, and he does not have any problems with them.

Everyone pretty much keeps to themselves, he said. We wanted our own place away from campus. We didn’t realize we were going to end up living by all families and no students, but it hasn’t been a problem.

R-1 zones do not have to be the only alternative to quality housing, some students said. Students can still live in an inexpensive, good-natured college setting while living next to families.

Joel Cartier, a junior in construction technology from Crest City, lives at 120 S. Forest St. He said most of the houses on his block belong to students except for the house next door. Cartier said he and his roommates have to remember to be considerate to their neighbor.

Our street is a little more quiet than other streets because we have a family living on it, Cartier said. We have to remember not to have too much fun.

SIUC students looking for a place with a more carefree party attitude should look toward the center of town, Chris Young, a sophomore in industrial design from Salem, said.

Young, who resides at 312 W. College St., said large groups of people can usually be found roaming the streets for parties.

During warmer weather, groups of 20 people can be found looking for parties, he said. Usually, they can find some kind of party. This past weekend we had a party, the people across the street had one and the people behind us had a party.

Young said even though the noise from the large crowds can grow annoying, he still plans to live there next year.

I love the location, he said. I’m close to campus, and I’m right across the street from that huge fraternity house.

R-1 zones exist mainly, but not exclusively, on the west side of Carbondale. For more information on the zoning areas of Carbondale, contact the Building and Neighborhood Services office in City Hall.