Pay Grad Students a Living Wage!
Pros
Schedule flexibility, innovative work, fun coworkers, plenty to do around the area, insurance was covered by grants
Cons
cost of living is much higher than the pay, rent has nearly doubled in the past 5 years, parking is crazy expensive or a far walk in sketchy neighborhoods, only affordable housing options are with roommates or family wealth, many nearby apartment complexes are loud (the nice ones) or gross (the affordable ones), international students are manipulated with their VISAs, constantly construction or road closures that block traffic flow, paychecks were sometimes weeks late if the admin staff didn't process the paperwork in time at the start of each semester, student insurance is absolute garbage (used to have minimal dental coverage, now it's a "discount card"), and many more than I care to list now.
