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Pros and Cons of Off-Campus Housing
Figuring out where to live while you’re in college is a huge decision. Many colleges require you to live on campus your freshman year, but after that, your options start to open up — one of those options is off-campus housing.
There’s many factors to consider if you’re thinking of living somewhere off campus. You have to account for the costs of food, rent, utilities, gas, and other expenses. Depending on how far off campus you’re living, you have to figure out how long it’ll take to get to your classes.
You also have to find roommates who you can get along with and can trust to clean up after themselves. Students have to be prepared for a lot more responsibilities when living off campus. They won’t be able to take full-advantage of some on-campus resources, as well.
That being said, off-campus housing can be a great option for students looking for more freedom and it definitely has perks that you won’t get living on campus. To help you decide if living off campus is right for you, I’ve assembled all the pros and cons of off-campus housing you’ll need to know before you make your decision.
Pros of Off-Campus Housing
1. More Space and Privacy
You’ll have a lot more peace and quiet living off campus compared to living on campus. Staying in a house or apartment means you’ll have your own room where you can focus on getting work done, catch up on some sleep, etc.
You won’t have to worry about having a noisy roommate a few feet away from you. Most students who stay on campus don’t get the luxury of having much privacy, let alone their own room, but with off-campus housing, you will.
There’s a good chance you won’t be so stressed out either because you’ll have your own space to relax and clear your head without any distractions. Having your own room will also save you the trouble of those awkward moments when you have your boyfriend or girlfriend over while your roommate is there.
2. Stay Year-Round
If you live off campus, you’ll probably sign a one-year lease, which means you won’t have to leave for the summer or for holidays. This can be a huge perk for students who go to college far away and can’t afford to drive back home for every break. It also saves students the hassle of packing up all their stuff and moving back home for the summer just to go right back in the fall.
3. Cost
The costs of off-campus housing can vary quite a bit depending on how many roommates you have , the size of the house or apartment, and the commute distance to your campus. Many colleges have affordable off-campus housing very close to their campuses with utilities included.
The best option if you’re on a budget, which you probably are, is to find a medium-sized apartment near your campus and two or three roommates to split the costs. You’ll still have to pay for food, rent, gas, and a security deposit, but it will likely be cheaper than living on campus.
4. Your Own Bathroom
One of the amenities students will get when living off-campus is their own bathroom. You might have to share it with a roommate, but it sure beats sharing a communal bathroom with dozens of different people in a residential hall on campus.
Instead of walking down the hall with your shower shoes and shower caddy to a germ-infested communal bathroom, you can walk a few feet to your own bathroom that’s actually clean.
5. Less Strict Rules
When you live in a dorm on campus, you have to deal with random room checks, visitor curfews, noise violations, and parking violations. Additionally, there’s several items you won’t be allowed to have on campus and in your dorm. This includes anything from electric stoves and toasters to candles and air conditioners.
There’s a lot more freedom and leniency with living off campus. You can have friends or family over whenever you want, you’ll be able to cook your own food, throw parties, and make your place feel like a home. You’ll be able to live your life the way you want and won’t have to worry about so many rules.
6. Full Kitchen
Another useful amenity that comes with off-campus housing is a kitchen. Instead of having a tiny mini fridge and maybe a microwave in your small dorm, you’ll have a full-size fridge, oven, microwave, and maybe even a dishwasher. You’ll also have plenty of countertop space to prepare actual healthy meals.
While eating at your dining hall on campus might be the most affordable option, it does get tiring eating the same basic food all the time. Having a kitchen in college allows you to go grocery shopping for your favorite foods and cook your favorite meals. You won’t have to rely on dining hall food or cheap microwave meals any longer when you live off campus.
Cons of Off-Campus Housing
1. Less Security
Off-campus apartment buildings are going to have security measures in place, like cameras and alarms, but it still won’t be as secure as living on campus. Staying safe on campus is a huge priority for any higher education institution. That’s why they’ll have security guards or campus police patrolling the grounds 24/7.
Having less security might be a bigger concern for you if you’re living further off campus in a more urban area. No matter where you’re live off campus, you should always take the necessary precautions if you’re out and about, especially at night.
2. More Responsibilities
Like I mentioned earlier, students will have a lot more responsibilities when they live off campus. The biggest responsibility will probably be managing all their monthly expenses, such as utilities, rent, and internet. There’s other expenses to think about, too.
You’ll have to fill your gas tank up pretty often if you’re not living close to campus. You’ll have to go grocery shopping probably a few times a month. There’s also possible renters insurance.
Handling all the responsibilities that come with off-campus living might be too much for some people, especially if they’re not used to being independent. For others, this might not be a problem at all. Regardless, it is an excellent way to get a taste of adulthood.
3. Less Campus Involvement
Living off campus can be a lot more peaceful, but you won’t get the same social opportunities as you would living on campus. A lot of colleges and universities usually have events and extracurricular activities going on all the time around campus.
This is a great way for students to socialize, meet new friends, and do some networking. Depending on how far off campus you live, you probably won’t be able to participate in all these activities as often as students who live on campus.
Related: 10 Ways to Get Involved on Campus
4. On-Campus Amenities
You won’t receive 24/7 access to college amenities and resources if you live off campus. This can be things like fitness centers, medical facilities, libraries, swimming pools, and laundry facilities. There’s also job opportunities available on campuses — library attendants, teacher assistants, peer tutors, and more
5. Commute
Living off campus means you won’t be able to roll out of bed a few minutes before your class starts and still manage to get there on time. Depending on the size of your campus and how far away you live, it might take you 25 or 30 minutes to get to class.
You also have to account for any bad weather. In the winter months, you might have to shovel your car out and hope the roads you take to campus are plowed and aren’t icy.
Weighing the Options
Making the decision to live off campus takes a lot of consideration. What it ultimately comes down to is deciding if it fits your lifestyle and the type of person you are. If you’re an independent person and really don’t enjoy living in a dorm on campus, then living off campus might be the best option for you.
Maybe you rather explore other living options such as on-campus apartments or suites. No matter where you decide to live, you have to make sure that it’s going to give you the best opportunity to succeed in college.
