Should You Live On or Off Campus?

1. Should You Live On or Off Campus?

2. Living on or off campus is a consideration that all college or university students will face at some time. While making the decision is easy for some, for others it may be too important to make on a whim or without previous planning. However, everyone is unique. Your decision to stay in the dorms or move to an off-campus apartment is truly your own. And, fortunately, there are some pros and cons of both that can help you with the decision. Below is a brief breakdown of these pros and cons.

3. Pros and Cons of Living Off Campus Essentially, living off campus is designed to provide responsibility and independence. And just like college life, it comes with its share of ups and downs. To ensure you make the right decision about where to live, you must be aware of these advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most notable ‘downs’ of living off campus, include:

4. It can sometimes be more expensive than living on campus, especially since you may have to pay for utilities, groceries and household products, parking and more • The commute to campus might be longer, and it’s likely that the closer you move to your school, the higher your rent will be • Living further away may cause you to feel further away or disconnected from your peers and campus life. Stay connected by spending time on campus after your classes and attending school events and activities

5. If you plan to drive to campus, you may need to pay expensive parking fees • It may be difficult to find off-campus housing that’s student-friendly • If your roommate moves out (for any reason), you’ll be stuck paying all the expenses

6. The cons of living off campus might make you think twice, but no matter what, it can be a fun, exciting and liberating experience. Furthermore, there are several advantages to this option. These advantages, include: • The student housing London, Ontario has to offer is more spacious than dorm rooms • You can often choose your own roommate or roommates and share expenses, making off-campus living more affordable

7. It can be less expensive than living on campus if you find a place that's all-inclusive • Offers freedom, independence, adult experience and the chance to make and live by your own rules • There are less strict rules - no curfew, quiet hours, a ban on overnight guests, etc. • Unlike residence halls, apartment buildings don’t close during the summer or holidays

8. Apartment buildings are often quieter and less chaotic than residence halls • You’ll have a kitchen and a bathroom, which you can use at any time

9. The Pros and Cons of Living On Campus On-campus living is especially popular among first year students because it eliminates the commute and makes it easier to make friends. However, it still has downfalls, just like off-campus living. Some of the cons of living on campus, include: • Residence halls can be loud, chaotic and crowded • Room & board and other expenses can sometimes make it more expensive than living in any student accommodation London offers

10. Bathrooms are shared, usually with many othersKitchen space is shared or virtually non-existent. Plus, you can’t do much cooking or cook and eat whenever you want • Campus life can be exciting and versatile, but becoming too involved could isolate you from the social world outside of the school • You will probably have to share a room with a stranger

11. These are some of the advantages of living on campus: • A much closer proximity and shorter commute to your classes and beyond. • Access to a variety of campus amenities • There are often parties and fun activities going on around college and university campuses • You’ll have easy access to student services and other support

12. Living on campus instills a greater sense of belonging, and campuses are often rife with community support • Socializing is convenient and almost unavoidable A great compromise is to find all-inclusive off-campus housing that's designed for students and close to your campus, such as Residence on First.