Should Look For Apartments and Live Off Campus?

Apartments Near Campus

If at all possible, you need to try living off campus as an undergrad.

After you have experienced your first year or so away at school, it is an important step to move off campus and get a taste of what the real world is all about. One of the big decisions college students usually have to make at some point during their college career is whether to live in the dorms or ditch the communal living and take us residence off campus. It is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions you will make as living off campus can teach many lessons that will stick with you throughout your life.

There are some amazing upsides to both and here are five legitimate reasons living off campus just makes sense.

The Food

More specifically, a kitchen. If you have been lucky enough to live in a campus dorm with a kitchen, then good for you! But I'm going to guess that it isn't live having your own. If you have ever spent an hour waiting for someone to bake brownies for his/her event tomorrow, you will understand where I am coming from. Not to mention the fact that not everyone has the same definition of "clean."

Living off campus, you will always have your own kitchen. You won’t have to worry about going to your local dining hall or waiting to use the oven in an on campus kitchen. Instead, you can bring out your inner-Martha Stewart and cook  yourself something delicious (well, at least you can try).

As a bonus, you might be closer to local restaurants. This sometimes makes life a lot easier, especially when you’re looking to go out for a friend’s birthday or treat yourself.

Freedom and Privacy

When living off campus, you’ll never have to be supervised by the infamous RAs or cater to a random roommate. Whatever you do in your house is your business.

Want to watch a movie? No need to worry about your suite mates who have six friends over tonight. Want to go to bed early? Don’t worry about your roommate, who comes home at 1 a.m. as the wind from an open window slams your door shut.

Living off campus can truly be liberating! There is basically no one to tell you how you can act or what time you should be home. It’s your life–live it!

Real World Life Experiences

Living off campus provides students with the opportunity to evolve into an adult.

I think off campus students have many more responsibilities than most on campus students; besides the work they have for school, off campus students are usually responsible for paying their monthly rent, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of other financial matters regarding their living space.

This truly gives students a chance to be welcomed into the real world. With this new experience they will be prepared to rely on no one but themselves.

Choose Who You Live With

Living off campus gives you more flexibility to choose with whom you live. Residence halls are kind of a lottery and you are stuck with the people that co-habitate the floor and building. While this is a great way to learn tolerance and become more accepting of others, it can also be a huge distraction!

There’s nothing better than staying up late having a random conversation with a person you thought you would have never gotten along with. Having the chance to experience these one-on-one moments with people can lead to much stronger bonds in the future.

Also, you get the opportunity to meet and network with non-student residents who could teach you new things you might not have known! Meeting others and learning about the area that you live in can be one of the most gratifying things you’ve ever done in your life!

Time To Yourself and Privacy

Having a designated area that is all yours is perfect for much-needed seclusion from time-to-time and studying for your biggest tests.

As some may know, college can be a little stressful.  Sometimes, all a person wants is a little alone time. Having your own room that you can escape to isn’t always available to students who live on campus.

Your own place can also be a great location for studying! While the library is usually the ideal location to write that 15-page research paper or cram for your test next weekend, you might find yourself more productive at your own desk in your own space.

So go out and find the right apartments near campus for your needs and spread your wings. You will never regret it.