Live On-Campus or Off Campus?

After living on-campus your freshman year, you will have a big decision to make. Deciding to move off-campus is a big decision. Here are 7 things to consider before you do so.

College living consideration #1 - Transportation -

Transportation is arguably the biggest consideration when moving off-campus. Chances are that you will have a close place to park your car off-campus, unlike living on-campus. However, are you prepared to drive to class everyday? Parking, even with a student pass, can be awful. You might find yourself spending a lot of money to pay parking tickets and to feed meters. You might even be late for class simply due to the fact that you can't find parking. With regards to bus routes, they can often take a lot longer than you intend.

College living consideration #2 - Finding roommates -

Whether you plan to live on-campus or off-campus, roommates are a big consideration. In fact, the issue may help you resolve the issue. For example, you may have a close group of friends that plan to move to a house off-campus next year. There are times when you simply decide to do what your friends are planning to do.

College living consideration #3 - Financial considerations -

Living off-campus can be much more expensive that you originally thought. In addition, if you plan to live on-campus, chances are that you will have to pay room and board before you start the new semester. You won't have to worry about those expenses until the next semester. However, if you live off-campus, you will have to pay rent every month.

College living consideration #4 - Effects on your personal life -

It isn't easy to find privacy in a dorm room, unless you have a tiny single. If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, what are you to do? This is perhaps one of the biggest arguments to move off-campus. In addition, if you live off-campus, you won't necessarily be as aware of events taking place on-campus. You might miss out.

College living consideration #5 - House, apartment, or dorm? -

Whether you decide to live on-campus or off-campus, you will still have to decide what type of housing you'd like to obtain. If you live on-campus, your choices will be between on-campus apartments and a dorm room. When deciding to live off-campus, you have to choose between a house and an apartment. No matter what you choose, you will probably have a roommate.

College living consideration #6 - Issues regarding meals -

When you sign-up to live on-campus, you will probably have the opportunity to choose a meal plan as well. When you live off-campus, you will have to fend for yourself. Cafeteria food isn't always the healthiest, although many colleges and universities are striving to provide healthier food. However, purchasing your own food off-campus can be costly. It can be even easier to eat poorly due to the fact that some of the cheapest foods are the worst for you (think Ramen noodles).

College living consideration #7 - Easy access to campus -

It is ten times easier to access campus facilities when you live right there. Going to campus can simply be a hassle when you live in the surrounding area. Living on-campus has a lot of benefits that you might not realize at first. You might just miss it once you are gone.