Is living on campus better than living off campus?
I want to go to NYU but I'm not sure where to stay. I'd like to live off campus in an apartment with a roommate but, considering how expensive it is to live in NYC, I'm not sure that would be a good idea. Would it better to live on campus in a dorm or off campus in an apartment? #college #college-advice #college-bound
7 answers
Tina’s Answer
Living on campus especially your first year is highly recommended. It helps to integrate you into college life and keeps you close to all the campus has to offer in support of you being successful at school. From where to eat to security, from after hours tutoring to finding groups that share your interests, it is all available on campus. You can take part in all these even if you live off campus, but the proximity while living on campus cannot be beat.
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Sandra’s Answer
Living on campus can be a very rewarding experience. It will allow you to become independent, learn how to be responsible and care for yourself without daily supervision from your parents. I lived on campus for 5 years and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Ken’s Answer
Living on campus has many advantages:
Campus security is there for your protection
Eating is easy in a dining hall
Maintenance is provided for your living area
Room and board are only charged for the period during which you have classes
Transportation is not a concern as you are near your classes
Advice and support are available as your Residence Adviser (RA) is just down the hall
Roommates are provided by the college and you do not have to be concerned about them paying their rent
Rachel’s Answer
Erik’s Answer
1) You're closer to your classes and don't have to commute as far.
2) Maintenance of your hall is provided for you. You still have to clean after yourself in your room but common places are well taken care of.
3) Prepared food is easier to obtain. Instead of cooking for yourself, you can just grab and go.
4) You meet students who have the same background and interests as you.
5) Activities. From pool, to bowling, to arcades, there's plenty of entertainment that is free or little cost.
6) Getting close to your professors and the Dean.
Carly’s Answer
Additionally, if you're attending college in a new city, living on campus is especially important for your safety. The university will keep you safe and allow you to slowly explore the city in safe ways, letting you gradually get to know which areas of the city are more dangerous than others. Once you are ready to move off-campus, you'll know which areas are safest for you to live, as well as which areas are closest to the stores, coffee shops, and restaurants that you may like best.
When I moved off-campus, I did so because at my university, it was cheaper to live off-campus. I also was going into my junior year, had established quality friends and roommates, and had a good understanding of the available opportunities at the school; which I know would have been a lot more difficult to gather while living off-campus. Once you move off-campus, you can sometimes feel less connected to school events, as it will be more difficult for you to attend and/or be notified about them.
But I must say, living off campus, especially in your later years, is an amazing opportunity if affordable for you. It exposes you to the adult responsibilities you'll have after graduation like: paying bills, grocery shopping, cooking your own meals, planning an appropriate commute time to school/work, signing a lease, getting and caring for a pet, etc.
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