Is living on campus or off campus better?

United States
February 27, 2010 4:20pm CST
Hi! I'm currently a sophmore in college living at home with my parents. I feel that it's now time for me to move out and become more independent. However, I'm still uncertain about whether I should live on campus in the dorms or try to find an apartment near campus. What would be the pros and cons of living on campus and off campus? What factors should I consider when making my decision?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
6 Mar 10
Hi, Valentine28. The pros would be that you will meet new friends. The cons would be that you will not have complete privacy all of the time. You will meet strangers that you will have to get used to. It will be many people from all around the world that is different from you. The cons would be that, you will get to choose whom you want to associate yourself with and all. These are the factors that you should consider when deciding to live on or off campus. I lived on campus in my hometown for about 2 to 3 months and it did not work out for me. There were nothing but problems that I had to experience with many females out there. It was just so silly. It is up to you on what you want to do. But as for me, I will never mess around with something like this ever again.
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
11 Mar 10
That is something I forgot about when I posted my response encouraging Valentine28 to live on-campus. I did have roommate issues myself one year, when my roommate and I decided to try to get an on-campus apartment. We got put in one with two girls who were absolutely horrible. I barely slept for two weeks, because it was so stressful living with these two, one of whom threatened us physical harm on occasion. Then when we were finally able to switch, we could no longer room together. I did get to meet some new people, though--my new roommates, plus some of their friends. So it worked out OK in the end, but the time with the bad roommates was horrible. I'm thinking if Valentine28 is a sophmore, she already has some friends at her school, so maybe she has friends she can room with? That would be her best bet, in my opinion.
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
11 Mar 10
I lived on campus when I was in college, I found it was more convenient, and more fun as well. You don't have the worries of trying to commute, find parking, and then walk to your classes every morning. Plus you are living in a community of your peers, and it is easier to get to know people and participate in all the activities if you live on campus. And of course, you can go back to your room and relax if you have a large gap of time between classes. Once you are out of college, you won't have the option anymore, so I think you should enjoy living on campus while you can!
• United States
7 Mar 10
I think if the college you're in is in the same town/city where your parents live, you should stay at home. Renting a place or living in the dorms is expensive and we already have to pay tuition. I had to live in dorms because the college I go to is in a different city than where my mother lived. I chose to live with 2 other roommates so it would be cheaper but it still costs 10,000 dollars a school year And it's i really cramped space for three people. I would have rather waited til I was out of college to live on my own but I didn't have a choice. I suggest you stay home to save money but living by yourself or with friends does give you more freedom so it's entirely your choice.
@kate2011 (46)
• United States
9 Mar 10
If you are looking for the "campus experience" then yes live on campus. I lived on campus for a year and a half. Personally i think the whole " campus life" is over rated but thats just me. I'm shy, I don't like to drink so going to large parties with people I don't know was not something I cared about. I now go to a school that is just a commuter school. I miss some things about campus life, because its harder to make friends when you go straight to class and then immediately back home because there is no place on campus to hang out. However, I go to a rather small school, my major isn't very populated so I have made great friends with the others in my class because I see the same people. I lived in an on campus apartment for one semester, I liked it very much. I felt safer being on campus as opposed to off. At my school, in the dorms during exams they had "quiet hours" so we never had any trouble with noise. What I hated about the dorm was sharing a bathroom with so many people and your don't have much space. You should consider the expense, compare a dorm plus meal plan to rent and cooking for yourself. I would say try an apartment if you can afford it, Its a chance to test your independence b.c you can cook for yourself ect.