Most seasoned students start looking for off-campus accommodations once they have a year, or less, of campus living under their belt. The idea of living on campus is appealing to incoming freshmen because there is a certain level of comfort about creating a little world of independence that offers a sense of security. However, there are many reasons to consider living off-campus and weighing those against campus living.
*- Financial considerations –
Renting an apartment off campus and a half-hour to an hour's drive away can reduce college costs exponentially.
* - Privacy –
Living off-campus affords the student to have quiet time to study and think. College dorms can be a beehive of activity that interrupt the process and make it inconvenient to have to seek the library in accordance with their set hours. Having their own place also means having enough hot water and privacy in the bathroom and in the bedroom.
* - Freedom –
Dorms can have too many regulations or too few. Living off-campus allows the student to set his/her own schedule and have a much larger place without having to share and bear it all; sharing a space with total strangers or even good friends, can be very restrictive and inconvenient. Additionally, not everyone gets along with their roommate and a semester can seem like an eternity.
* - Safety –
Living off-campus is often safer and more “normal” than living in a community of students who find reasons to experiment with boundaries, or having dorm neighbors who have not learned to respect other people's space or property.
* - Theft –
College dorms are notorious for theft and people “borrowing” items without permission. Living off campus allows the student to have better quality items that are covered by renter's insurance should those be misplaced or stolen.
* - Food –
College dorms don't have a great deal of space and cooking meals that are satisfying is almost impossible. A dorm refrigerator is good enough for a 6 pack of beer and a couple of apples. Aside from the fact that young people can survive on beer and coffee for at least a semester, having a full size kitchen and refrigerator will not only allow for proper nutrition but will save a bundle of money on eating out.
* - Having the best of both worlds –
Living off-campus allows the student to live like an adult in the adult world. Attending classes and joining on student activities keeps him/her in the loop among his/her peers.
* - Expanding horizons –
Eventually everyone has to leave campus and strike gold in the outside world. Living off-campus allows students to have a real feel for the economic and employment situation in the area.
*- Connections –
Living off-campus allows the student to know people who already have jobs in various professions. Making these types of friendships can lead to inside information about company's hiring, references and recommendations. A next door neighbor may very well be the head of Human Resources in a company that could offer him/her a job.
* - Credit report and FICO score –
A student living off-campus who pays their bills on time will have a positive credit history that makes him/her a worthwhile candidate for a job. It shows stability and responsibility to future employers. A letter of recommendation from the current landlord will save the student money when moving to another location. Having a positive history with ties to the community is an asset when seeking employment and moving to another apartment or house.