You should live off campus while you’re an undergrad in college.
Whether you’re transferring to a college or a returning junior, one of the big decisions we usually have to make at some point in our college career is whether to live on or off campus. While it seems that underclassmen tend to stay on campus and upperclassmen may be more inclined to get off, it’s undoubtedly an important decision.
There are incredible upsides to each–but from my experiences, here are the top four reasons to live off campus:
1. Price
In average the on-campus housing cost per year is $9,000 (Gannon University 2017). The average room off campus will cost you $425 per month which will make it $5,700 per year. With calculation, you will save $3,330+ just for moving out. Plus you will get your own room and parking which also will save you extra $600.
2. Freedom
When living off campus, you’ll never have to be supervised by the infamous RAs or cater to a random roommate. You will pick your own squad for the year. Whatever you do in your house is your business.
3. Privacy
Off-campus housing will provide you with your own room. No worries about your suitemate’s long nights or his/her friends. Living off campus is truly liberating! There’s no one who can tell you how you should act or what time you should be at home! Party on Friday night or need quiet space to study for the upcoming test? Your house, your rules.
4. Adult life experiences
Living off campus provides students with the opportunity to become an adult.
Off-campus students have much more responsibilities than most on-campus students; besides the work they have for school, off-campus students are usually responsible for paying their monthly rent, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of other financial matters regarding their living space.
This truly gives students a chance to be welcomed into the real world. With this new experience, they will be prepared to rely on no one but themselves.
With the new program at BPM, paying your rent on time will help you to build your credit score, which you will need in the near future. It will also provide you with a positive reference for your tenant history so you can relocate and easily find a place.
5. Health
The quality of college dining hall food is usually pretty bad. Nothing will ever compare to a home-cooked meal. If you choose to live off-campus, you never have to eat in the dining hall again! You never have to worry about disliking what’s being served because you make your own menu.
When you live off-campus, you can cook healthy and affordable meals. Alternatively, if you decide you want to splurge and bake a whole tray of chocolate chip cookies for yourself, you can do that too. The options are endless when you have your own kitchen.