Out of the bubble, living off campus
Living in the residence halls is part of the quintessential “college experience.” Attending college wouldn’t be half the fun without the dorm horror stories to tell people back home. But almost everyone ends up off campus as upperclassmen. Living in an apartment is a whole other experience.
It’s a better life, to be honest, but still has drawbacks students tend to ignore.
B
ills (-)
Internet, water, garbage, cable and electric. They aren’t expenses that should convince you to stay on campus, but rather the reasons you should have a source of income before moving out on your own. Of course they vary from month to month, but when splitting the cost with your roommate(s), it’s still reasonable. Just be wary if you stay in the summer, the electric bill with sky rocket if you use your AC too much.
And avoid space heaters.
Laundry (+)
You don’t need to search high and low for quarters anymore. You don’t need to worry about taking your clothes out of the machine on time, before someone does it for you. You don’t need to worry about people seeing any sexy underwear you may or may not own. Need I say more?
Groceries/Cooking (+/-)
Not everyone saves money on food when they move off campus. It all depends on what you buy. But the fact that you can eat what you want, when you want to is worth the price. Not only that, but you can finally cook for yourself. This is good when you want to cook, and bad when you’re too lazy to turn on the stove. Keep in mind that when it comes to cooking, a lot of students forget that cooking utensils and basic ingredients are required for self-prepared meals — those can add up.
Cleaning(-)
Hopefully you clean your dorm room. It’s not that hard; it’s a small space that you share. But once you’re off campus, there is a kitchen to maintain and dishes to wash. You have your own bedroom to worry about, and possibly your own bathroom. You take out the trash and sweep the floor, there are more of both. However, if you’re a clean person, cleaning will never be a problem.
Transportation (+/-)
With or without a car, it’s all about finding the right location. If you find a place far from your major building, think about whether the drive to your 8 a.m. class will still be easy. You’d have to wake up earlier, or you could find a place right across the street from your building and never worry about being late. Either way, once you move off campus, keep an eye out for sweep zones. They’ll get you once or twice.
Parties (+)
If you’ve ever tried, you know dorm parties are stupid. Having a place makes having a social life much easier.
You can invite people to your house.
You can have more alcohol than you know how to hide from an RA.
And playing host to an awesome party is something every college student should try to do. Worry about cleaning up in the morning.
Dating/Sex (+)
Remember when your roommate walked in on you having sex? Well, that can still happen, but you have your own door now, so it’s not very likely. Having a room of your own means that you can take a promising date back instead of having to cut it short because your roommate is eating Cheetos and watching “Adventure Time.” Even if there is no sex and just a date, you can cook for him or her. An off-campus life welcomes a more adult relationship.
A Home Away from Home (++)
Living in the dorms is like living out of a suitcase for months on end. But when you have a bedroom that is entirely your own, it’s easier to unwind after a day of classes. You don’t need to see your roommate all the time, you don’t need to walk on eggshells. Welcome home, a place where you can really relax.
