After freshman year, I was faced with the tough decision of choosing whether to continue living on campus or take the plunge and move off-campus. At first, living off-campus seemed like the quickest way to ruin my social life. I was so opposed to moving away from all my friends and all the amenities that the campus had to offer. I knew that moving away from downtown would mean commuting to school, waking up earlier, and being away from my friends. So many thoughts swirled around in my head. I had almost talked myself out of moving off-campus within minutes, before I even made rational thoughts about the whole thing.
After some time and research, I was ready to kiss my on-campus house good bye. It turned out to be the best decision I could have ever made. I realized there can be positive things about living off campus. Here’s just a few of the perks:
Having the Opportunity to Explore a New Area
Moving off campus gives you the opportunity to see and do new things. It gives you a chance to try new things like restaurants and shopping. I was able to see all that the area has to offer and not just what the college campus had. You can find new hobbies and discover new places to hang out.
Meeting New People
You’re bound to meet new people if you move into a new apartment complex or house. It’s honestly refreshing to meet people that don’t go to your college and are involved in other things. It gives you a chance to expand your friend group!
Saving Money
This is my favorite pro of moving off campus. Saving money is never a bad thing and I saved a whole lot of it when I moved. My rent is literally half off what it was compared to when I lived on campus. This means I can save up more or just spend the extra money on food.
Getting Away from All the Chaos
Living on campus put me in the center of downtown which meant lots of traffic and people. I swear that it took more time to drive to class on campus than it does for me to commute to class from off-campus. It’s so nice to get away from all the crowded streets and noise. You’ll find yourself feeling more at home than ever because you’ll be able to get a break from all the chaos.