Where Should You Live During College?

Maybe your dream is to live on campus, or maybe your parents are forcing you to stay at home. In college there are many different living arrangements to choose from, but which one is right for you? Here at College Unfiltered, we all have different housing situations, so we speak from personal experience when we say there is no “correct” choice—it’s all about finding what works best for you and your goals. With that said, we’ve pulled some of our biggest pros and cons for different living options to help you get a better idea of what each one has to offer!

1. On-Campus Housing (Dorms)

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Pros:

• First off, you don’t have to worry about driving to campus every day

• You will be surrounded by other college students 24/7, so there’s lots of opportunities to make new friends

• Some colleges offer perks to on-campus residents such as fun events, university merch, and even free trips

• You will have a sense of freedom and become more independent by moving away from home

• Close proximity to campus amenities like recreation center, dining halls, and library

• Typically fully-furnished, and you do not have to pay any separate electric or water bills

Cons:

• It’s expensive! The average cost of living on campus is $10,000 per year

• Meal plans are often required for on-campus students, which is another cost to consider

• You will most likely have roommates (and they could be a nightmare)

• Some university dorms have shared or communal bathrooms

• Harder to separate school from personal life, so it could get distracting

• More rules than off-campus living; for example, quiet hours, prohibited items, and no pets

Overall:

On-campus housing is a great option for new students who are ready to leave home and ease into adulthood. If you are looking for the more typical “college experience,” living on campus is sure to provide you with that. Although it can be a bit pricey, you should remember that it is usually furnished and you don’t have to pay separate utility bills. We would mainly recommend this option for first-year students.

2. Off-Campus Housing (Apartments)

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

Pros:

• You will still be close to campus, so it is only a short drive or walk away

• Some colleges have buses that stop at nearby apartments

• Cheaper than living on campus

• Many apartments allow pets

• Less restrictive than on-campus housing

• Most have their own amenities like a gym and pool

• You will not have to move out after graduating

Cons:

• The apartment complex may not be helpful when it comes to roommate issues

• Utility bills might be separate from rent, and some might not come furnished

• Safety; if it is not exclusively student housing, you never know who could be living in your building

• You will have to spend more time and money on grocery shopping and preparing meals

• It is more difficult to break your lease

Overall:

Off-campus, apartment style housing provides more freedom than on-campus housing does. You will not have to follow all of your school's rules, and you might feel like more of an adult. Keep in mind that even though rent may be cheaper, you could still have to pay utility bills and other expenses. We would recommend this type of housing for upperclassmen who want to live away from home, but do not want the restrictions that come with living on-campus.

3. Staying at Home

Photo by Scott Webb from Pexels

Pros:

• It’s free! And depending on your parents, you might not even have to pay for groceries or cook too often

• You won’t have to go through the effort of packing and moving

• If you work, you will be able to save up your money

• Don’t have to worry about finding or living with roommates

• More time to spend with family

• A better school-life balance

Cons:

• You need to commute to campus; this means either spending money on gas or public transportation

• You will be farther away from your college friends

• If you have strict parents, they could prevent you from doing certain things

• You might not feel as independent

• You could feel disconnected from what’s happening on campus

Overall:

Commuting from home is a great way to start saving up money, and it provides a better school-life balance. Although it is free to live at home, you should consider the costs of gas money and meals while you are on campus for the day. Since you won’t be involved in the daily action on campus, you might have to make more of an effort to stay in the loop. We would recommend commuting for any one who is already happy living at home, and wants to save money.