Choosing Where To Live In College

In many cases, college is the first time students will live away from their parents or family. Making the right decision about where to live and the type of housing to move into is a crucial step in ensuring a successful college transition. With so many options both on and off-campus, the process of finding the perfect place can be daunting. The comprehensive information below can help equip students and their families with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision on where to live during college.

Deciding where to live is one of the most significant choices a student can make during their college years. While most schools require students to live on-campus their freshman year, the decision of whether to continue in university accommodation or move into private housing requires great thought and weighing the pros and cons of each. Ultimately, the individual needs of a student will most likely be the deciding factor. The following information is designed to help students think through ramifications of each to make an informed decision.

Living on campus can be an incredibly beneficial and positive experience for students. Whether engaging in student activities, making friends in residence halls or apartments, taking advantage of programming, or not worrying about getting to and from school, campus accommodation can remove much stress and allow students to focus on their studies. There can also be downsides, however, such as lack of privacy and higher costs. Review our list of pros and cons to get an insider look at campus housing.

Off-campus accommodation provides many benefits for students, including increased independence, lower costs, greater freedom and more space. Whether living alone or with friends or family, some students find it is beneficial to leave campus each day and unwind away from school pressures, while others want to be as connected as possible. The table below shares pros and cons of making the move off campus.

Living with a roommate for the first time – especially someone you likely didn’t know before starting school – can be a tough transition, to say the least. While first year students typically are assigned a random roommate, the tips listed below can help navigate any roommate relationship and make the experience an enjoyable one.

Renting off-campus can be a great option for students who are ready to take on more responsibility and independence. If it is your first time renting, the process can seem overwhelming. From finding an apartment to choosing roommates to signing a lease, there are many considerations.

Students should begin searching for housing well in advance of their decision to move off-campus. Those looking to be off-campus at the start of a new academic year should begin looking before the end of the previous academic year, as many options will be rented out during this time. Students should consider proximity to campus, if the neighborhood is safe, how many roommates they want, and what their budget is (including utilities!). Universities can frequently help students search for accommodation, while websites such as Craigslist, College Rentals and Rent are great options – when used wisely.

Choosing a roommate is an important decision and requires great thought. While students will most likely have already experienced living with a roommate in a residence hall, living off-campus presents new challenges such as paying bills, dividing rent, signing leases and sharing responsibility for the space. Whether electing to live with a best friend or an acquaintance, students should be very up-front about what they’re looking for in a living situation. If one person is very focused on their studies and the other tends to be more social, it may be best to find more like-minded roommates to preserve the friendship. While it can be fun to live with friends, some students find living together may provide too much time together and instead choose to live with people they get along with but don’t necessarily share a friend group.

Unfortunately, there are individuals and companies that prey on students renting off-campus for the first time with a variety of scams. The best way to avoid these situations is to be aware of common tactics. If you find an apartment online and it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Many individuals posing as landlords will post fake properties and scam people out of deposits. Make sure you have visited the apartment or house, seen it in person, and met the landlord. Others may try to sublet their space illegally, resulting in issues with the owner of the property. When possible, it’s best to go through a rental agency or management group rather than dealing with individuals, as there will be proper contracts and procedures in place.

Many students may elect to take out Renter’s Insurance when moving off-campus. Though not required, this type of insurance can protect the contents of their rooms in the case of theft or fire. Monthly costs are generally minimal but can make all the difference should the unthinkable occur.

Once students have found the perfect off-campus accommodation, lined up roommates, and ensured it isn’t a scam, it’s time to seal the deal. It’s very important to review terms of the lease agreement to make sure everyone living in the space understands what they are agreeing to do. While students may have grown accustomed to housing offered on a semester-basis, off-campus housing typically requires a 12-month lease. Are all roommates clear on their responsibility to pay for a whole year? If not, does the lease allow for sublets during the summer months? If students are not financially independent, some lessees will require a parent or guardian to co-sign, ensuring the rent is paid in the case of the student having insufficient funds. It’s also important to make sure a property inspection is completed at the beginning and end of the rental agreement to ensure students are not charged for any preexisting problems with the house. Once the lease is signed, students should keep it in a safe place if they need to refer back to contractual obligations during their time in the space.

Looking for more information about renting responsibly? These websites provide trustworthy and helpful information:

1. If you don’t need it, ask to have your campus meal plan removed

2. Request to live in a triple or quad room to get a 10-20% discount (may vary by college)

3. Work as Resident Assistant (RA) for room and board compensation

24/7 access to trained RAs and professional staff who live-on campus to respond to emergencies, mediate conflicts, or assist with serious incidents you need help navigating

Conveniently located and close to resources such as libraries, dining halls, and classes, as well as student events that are hosted on campus

It can be easier to create valuable connections and friendships with other young people experiencing college life for the first time

Easy access to faculty beyond the classroom and study groups often meet at night in residence hall lounges

Quick response to facilities issues such as broken showers, sinks, etc.

Utilities such as water, electricity, and internet are fully covered

Safe and secure environment that is monitored and/or protected by local or campus police most, if not all, hours of the day and night

Many students find the cost of a dining plan high and food selection lacking

On campus housing may be costly for some students

More introverted students may not enjoy the social aspect of living on campus

No need to purchase a dining plan, so college costs may be lower

Ability to truly live like a “real-world” adult, something that many college students need to be exposed to and have the opportunity to do so

Lower living cost, depending on the type of off campus housing you chose; rent close to campus tends to be higher, while locations further away are often cheaper

Ability to choose your own roommates (or live alone)

Ability to choose the type of housing you’d like to live in and where

Cons

No “safety net”, e.g. no access to live on staff such as RAs for help or assistance

Comes with more responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, and paying bills

May be further away from the heart of campus, so some students may feel isolated

Need to pay for utilities such as water, electricity, and internet

Student may need a car to commute to campus if a bus route isn’t nearby

I recommend that students really think about the type of college experience they want to have. Living off campus comes with more responsibility, but also allows for more personal freedom. On the other hand, living on campus allows the reverse scenario to be true. I also recommend that students carefully look at their budget and determine what’s really affordable for them. For instance, do they get financial aid? Those living off campus should keep in mind that financial aid checks are usually disbursed once a semester, so it will take some thoughtful planning and discipline to figure out how to use financial aid funds to pay rent (and any necessary utilities) on-time every month.

Looking for more information about on of off-campus housing considerations? The resources listed below provide answers to common questions and concerns.