You open up your bill for the next year and see that the cost of living on campus has gone up again. You wonder if maybe it would be better to live off campus. As someone who has moved from campus housing to an apartment, I have compiled a list of the pros and cons of ditching your dorm contract for an apartment lease.
Pro: You can burn candles
In my dorm, the best you could have owned was a wax warmer. When I moved off campus, I bought a big box of matches and my roommate supplied the candles. It was very satisfying the first time we lit one.
Con: Commuting
A lot of college students don’t have access to cars (myself included) which can be quite the challenge when you want to move off campus. Luckily I live close enough to use the bus if I have to use it. Sometimes a 40-minute commute can be rough, especially after a long day of classes.
Pro: You can own pets (depending on your apartment)
I come home to a fluffy ball of love every time I come home and it instantly makes my day better.
Con: No meal plan
I long for the days when I could just swipe my card and get a hot meal whenever I wanted it. It is less convenient to go food shopping, bring your lunch to class, and cook dinner when you get home.
Pro: No rowdy college students running down the hall at 2:00am
While it can be fun to live with other college students, it instantly becomes the worst thing in the world when one of them wakes you up in the middle of the night before a huge exam.
Con: Moving heavy furniture sucks
My roommate and I had to move a gigantic sectional couch into our second floor apartment. It wasn’t fun.
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Living on campus was amazing and I will treasure every late night trip to Dairy Queen in Morsani Hall with my roommates and every chat with my favorite RA. But moving off campus was the best decision for me. If you are thinking of moving off campus weigh your options carefully and do what is best for your personal situation.