Choosing Where to Live During College: On Campus, Off Campus, or At Home

Where Should I Live?!? This can seem like a daunting question for freshman who have to choose between on campus housing, off campus housing, or living at home. But have no fear! I'll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision!

Luckily, most incoming college freshman will not have much of a choice as to where they live – living at home may not be realistic for some while it may be necessary for others, living on campus may be required for freshmen at some universities, and living on their own may be too daunting for some.



But when a choice must be made, students should consider what factors are most important for them. Is money the number one issue, or is it safety, or perhaps obtaining the typical “college experience”? Each person must consider their own situation and should make their decision with the advice, and in some cases permission, of an adult.



My room in a small house I shared with 4 other girls last year.

Personally, I recommend that freshmen live in university housing if they have the means to do so. This allows students to transition into a more independent life gradually, offers the convenience of close proximity to food and classes, and allows for more opportunities to connect with fellow students.



But for many people the decision will not be so easy. Keep reading for more information on how the three housing options compare on the following issues:

·         Price – I will compare the costs of rent, utilities, food, and transportation.

·         Community Experience – I will examine the differences in social experiences.

·         Housing Facilities – I will consider the ways in which the accommodations may differ.

 

PRICE:

Here is a breakdown of On Campus vs. Off Campus housing prices for three California Universities. These prices include housing, food, and other living expenses.

	On Campus	Off Campus
University California Davis	$12,700*	$8,100*
Sacramento State University	$11,700**	$12,000**
University of the Pacific	$12,000***	$8,000 (estimated)

* Information from: www.facts.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate_cost_of_attendance.lasso  
** Information from: www.calstate.edu/sas/costofattendance/documents/2012-13COA.pdf
(this is also a great resource for comparing the costs of all California State Universities.)
*** Information from: www.pacific.edu/About-Pacific/AdministrationOffices/Office-of-Financial-Aid/Estimated-Cost-of-Attendance.html. Note: Freshman at this private university are not allowed to live off campus unless they will be living wiith a parents within 50 miles of campus.

HINT: The estimated Off Campus prices can be decreased significantly if students are thrifty shoppers and use utilities wisely.

 

Living at Home: Parents will typically let students live at home for free (though they may be asked to help with rent or groceries, each family is different) but students should factor in the cost of communiting and remember that they may have to drive back and forth to campus frequently for night classes, late meetings, or weekend events.

 

COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE:

 

On campus

Part of the reason for university housing is to give students a sense of community. There are often dorms specifically for freshman, which allows for quick bonding because everyone is typically eager to make friends. Residence advisors or other university staff may also organize activities for students in campus housing. Living in this environment allows students to meet a wide variety of their peers, which can increase their chances of finding potential friends or can serve as a sort of lesson in diversity.

Off campus

If a student chooses an apartment or housing complex where many other students live – these are often found in close proximity to universities – the community experience may be similar to that of a university dorm. Students will often need to make more of an effort to get to know their neighbors but should be able to connect with their apartment mates or housemates fairly easily. Rather than forming bonds over residence hall activities, they can instead bond over grocery shopping or walking to campus. However, for students living in areas with few other students the effect of living off campus can be isolating at times, but there may still be other young people with whom to connect.

At home

Students living at home may have a harder time making friends in the first weeks of school because they only see their peers while they are on campus. The student may already have local friends, but they should still make an attempt to bond with their classmates when possible.

 

 

HOUSING FACILITIES:

 

On campus

Dorms or residence halls are typically multi-story buildings with small rooms, each housing two or three students. Freshmen typically do not get to choose their roommates, but may request to change rooms if problems arise. A community bathroom is typically shared for several rooms or for the entire floor and may or may not be co-ed. Students are responsible for keeping their rooms clean, but common areas may be cleaned by university staff – though are expected to be kept neat by students. Each building will likely have a common area, which could include a television, couches, a study area, and/or a small kitchen. Dorm rooms are notoriously small and can be loud at night and on weekends.
 

Off campus

Students living off campus will typically share a small house or apartment with other students. They may live in a single room or share a room, and will typically share a bathroom. Students may have to furnish the apartment and will have to buy cleaning and kitchen supplies. Apartments and houses can be very nice and well kept up, but they may also have problems such as mold, leaky faucets, or insects. If a problem occurs students may be able to consult their land lord for help, but if a problem between roommates arises they will likely have a hard time trying to break their lease or switch apartments.

At home

Students may find that living at home becomes more difficult after graduation. Parents may expect their child to start helping out with chores or bills more or they may simply be eager for their child to move out. In other cases, students may become annoyed with their parents and may be impatient for more freedom and responsibility. On the opposite spectrum, living at home can also be a great comfort to some because of its familiarity and ease.

No matter where you live, it is up to you to make your freshman year amazing. Living in a great college community is wasted if you aren't willing to get out there and make some friends!

Comment below and let me know what you're opinions are! Which form of housing do YOU think is the best?