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There are definitely pros and cons for both living in residence and having roommates, but from my personal experience, roommates should be left to childhood short terms at summer camp.

As a first year student, I began my university career living at home with my parents. The commute was quite significant and the buses were unreliable, so although I broke into university groups and social circles very quickly, my participation was limited. Second year, I decided to go into residence. Though I had my own room, sharing a kitchen and a bathroom, the experience was far from enjoyable. I work to afford my school, and none of them did, and I felt resentment for that fact. I was working close to full time, but because of my work, I could afford little luxuries, which my roommates resented. Though I tried to give them a chance, I ended up avoiding my time there as much as I could, and moved out into a one bedroom apartment after the first semester.

While my circumstances and personality probably influenced my bad experience, the majority of my friends who have also stayed in residence also couldn't wait to get out. However, there are obviously other factors to consider, with one of the most major ones being cost. Look into the cost of living on campus versus living off campus. In my case, I could get an apartment on the expensive end for an entire year for the same cost as residence for the school year. This is including insurance, cable, and internet. I would recommend getting a phone instead of cable for those who aren't cell phone exclusive.

It is cheaper to live off campus with roommates, but you should first find people whom you feel are compatible with your personality and your lifestyle. I know of many cases where five or more people live in a home together harmoniously despite space limitations, but in all those cases, the people have extremely similar political views, extracurricular activities, diets, lifestyles, and friends. Personally, I do not want to risk breaking a friendship due to incompatible lifestyles. The only person I can imagine living with is my partner, and we both agree that a den or a spare bedroom is necessary when we want solitary moments.

Another issue is distance. I live a forty minute walk in the snow from my school in a well to do area of town. While the homes where I live are multimillion dollars for the most part, the apartments are relatively cheap. To get the same apartment I have here within ten minutes of a university, it would most likely go up at least $100 a month, and would be in a less ideal area. If living close by is important, roommates or residence should be reconsidered after pricing one bedrooms.

Food expenses are the final consideration. Many students are not exactly chefs, to put it lightly. If you plan on living on your own, knowing how to cook is essential, that is, if you don't want to spend all your money on takeout. I am lucky, and I work as a cook, therefore almost half of my meals a week are taken care of over my shifts, and if I want to buy something more, it is only a few dollars. Groceries in general cost one person between fifty and one hundred dollars a month, depending on the types of food. I recommend keeping it simple with whole grains, some tomato sauce, dried beans, and greens. These few ingredients give endless possibility, are cheap, and are healthy.

While there are many considerations to take into account, little things are what make my choice to live on my own really worth it. I can leave my canvases out until I am done a painting, I am not woken up by drunken moans and headboard banging in the next room, if there is a mess it is mine and gets taken care of, and most of all, I have a place to retreat to when I need to relax.

Learn more about this author, Nicole Nolan.
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