If you’re getting started with college soon, then you’ll have to ask yourself if you want to live on campus. And it’s a fair question as both living on and off campus have their unique advantages to consider. Ultimately, before you end up committing one way or the other, you should consider every option carefully. After all, finding different accommodations mid-semester is going to be rather difficult, so making the right choice is vital. Overall, though, whether one choice is better for you than the other boils down to personal preference. Thus, we’ve compiled a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of living on or off campus to aid in your decision.
Table of Contents
Comparing the costs
The cost is the first consideration in the list of advantages and disadvantages of living on or off campus. This is unquestionably a benefit of living on campus and a significant drawback of living on campus. Campus housing is significantly more affordable than off-campus housing. Especially if you live in a large city like New York City, finding a place to stay off campus can be a real nightmare because of the price alone. On the other hand, while it does vary based on the university, on-campus housing is typically within a student’s price range. So, when it comes to the cost, there is a massive pro to living on campus. And while preparing for college, make sure you pick up some college survival tips as well. After all, getting used to college life is going to take some getting used to, and any preparation is a great idea.
Comparing the social life
This next point on the list of the pros and cons of living on campus vs. Off campus is entirely up to personal preference. Living off-campus means that you’ll have much more privacy, even if you decide to live with roommates. Sharing an apartment with only a few people is much different than being in a building with tons of other people. Alternatively, while living on-campus leaves something to be desired when it comes to privacy, you can easily meet new people. As such, if you want to grow your social circle or interact with new people more often, living on campus is for you. However, especially in cities like NYC, if you’re moving into an off-campus rental you should leave the task to moving specialists. It’s very easy for your belongings or the property to get damaged during a move, so relying on professionals is the best choice.
Comparing the independence you get
When you live on-campus, you have to stick to the rules and regulations set out by your college. These restrictions can often be fairly restrictive, which can massively impact your freedom while living there. Needless to say, if you have a need for independence, choosing to live on campus is a bad idea. On the other hand, living off-campus comes with the clear advantage of being free to live however you want to. This freedom is one of the bigger reasons why students choose to live off-campus so often. However, this also means that all of the responsibilities of living alone fall to you as well. And while you’re thinking about college preparations, putting together a checklist could be a good idea. It can be easy to get overwhelmed when faced by the beginning of your college life. So, take a deep breath and make sure you get everything done.
Comparing safety on campus vs. Off campus
This is a clear win for living on campus, without question. When living off-campus, your security is heavily dependent on your landlord. Rental properties, much like every other residence, are always at risk of being broken into. Of course, this might not be that much of a concern if you live in a safe state like New York, but the risk is always present. On the other hand, while living on campus, campus police are always close by and on guard. Additionally, because you’ll be sharing the building with tons of other students, you are never really alone. All in all, this means that campus living is guaranteed to be much safer than living off campus. Whether or not you choose to live on campus, however, make sure to prepare your belongings on time for the move. Keeping a checklist just in case is the best way to stay organized.
Comparing general accessibility
This is another clear victory for living on campus, no matter how you look at it. When you live on campus, you get easy access to the gym, library, and whatever else your campus offers. Also, you don’t have to worry about traveling to college and worry about being late for class. When living on-campus, all of your classes are no more than a ten-minute walk away at all times. On the other hand, if you decide to live off-campus, you’ll need to worry about getting access to any amenities on your own. Also, you need to have a tight grip on your travel times and schedules. Another thing to keep in mind when heading to college is caring for your mental health. All in all, if you’re in a good headspace, it’s much easier to learn and get things done, so don’t neglect your mental health.
The pros and cons of living on campus vs. Off campus – wrap up
There are a lot of disadvantages and advantages to both on-campus and off-campus living. As such, at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference which is better for you. Do you prefer to have your own space and privacy? Or would you rather have the convenience of always being close to everything you need? Remember to carefully consider all of these factors before committing one way or the other. And remember to prepare yourself for your life at college properly, as this can help you a lot in the long run. We hope this list of the pros and cons of living on campus vs. Off campus helps you out, and we wish you luck with your studies.
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