KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | Living on the edge in off-campus housing

Living on the edge in off-campus housing

By Sarah Hubbs, University of Delaware

You're probably familiar enough by now with the dynamics of staying in a dorm, whether you've lived in one or know other students who do. So, you know its advantages: the extreme social scene, convenience to classes, campus security, high-speed Internet access and no monthly expenses (utilities, groceries, home maintenance).

But maybe you're not a big fan of noisy hallways, lack of privacy, tight living space, restricted freedom (thanks, R.A.!), parking wars and boring meal plans. Thinking of living elsewhere? You do have options:

Welcome Home

If your college is near your family home, have you considered commuting to school? No, we're serious.

The Pros

• Big savings Because of the economic crunch, junior Mark Keifer made a tough decision to leave Wesley College in Delaware, where he lived in a dorm for two years. He moved back into his parents' house in Maryland and transferred to Towson University. While Towson is more affordable, Keifer's move back home has also eliminated costly housing expenses. When you live at home, your costs are tuition, books, supplies and transportation. Period.

• Familiar comforts University of Delaware (UD) junior Jamie Topolancik has lived at home since her first year and says that having family there when she needs it is a big plus. "Living at home is awesome," she says. "I always have a warm meal at dinner and a nice bed to sleep in."

• Privacy, please "What really sucked about living in a dorm was the community bathroom," points out Keifer. "It's so much better living at home and not having to share with 20 other people."

The Cons

• Privacy, please "I always have someone looking over my shoulder, asking questions," Topolancik says of being under her parents' watch. Keifer, however, claims that his folks let him have his personal freedom -- as long as he makes the grade and communicates with them about where he's going. However, his parents do not permit him to, um, entertain girls in his bedroom.

• Inconvenient commute Keifer says that when living on campus, he could wake up 15 minutes before class and still get there on time. He also points out that he could go back to his dorm room between classes. Now, he has to factor in an hourlong drive. Topolancik can relate: "Traffic is horrible, and parking is a huge pain." She has to arrive at school almost two hours before class to ensure a space. "I have gotten so many parking tickets," she adds.

• Smaller social life "Everybody who lived on my floor at Wesley was there two years in a row, and we all became really close friends," says Keifer. "It was just a really good time, and it was never boring. I haven't met that many people at Towson, so I only know the kids in my classes or the ones who went to my high school."

Greek Housing

Many fraternities and sororities provide campus housing. However, you must be a member, and there has to be room available in the house.

The Pros

• Social scene UD junior Katie Dries, who lived in a sorority house last year, recommends Greek housing for students who like to socialize. Sororities and fraternities usually host many activities at their houses throughout the school year, and even when there isn't anything going on, there's very little solo time. "There was always someone there to hang out with, and it was really fun. It was still kind of like being in a dorm but without an R.A.," says Dries, who now lives in an off-campus rental. "It was a great place to live my sophomore year because it was a good transition between living in a dorm and living on my own."

• Great digs Most frat/sorority houses are well-kept and nicely furnished. In Dries' sorority house, all bedrooms were doubles with shared bathrooms between suites. Besides a large common area, most houses have full-sized kitchens that are well-stocked -- sometimes by a house chef. Dries adds that her food expenses were less than in the dorm, since she could cook at home and was no longer required to purchase the university's meal plan.

The Cons

• Cleaning duty When living in a dorm, you don't have to worry about cleaning common areas. But in a Greek house, everyone might be expected to pitch in. In Dries' case, the housing manager purchased general cleaning supplies. She then assigned and posted housekeeping duties for common areas of the house, which rotated every two weeks. Each sister was responsible for her own laundry, bedroom, bathroom and meals.

Apartment Hunting

If you're thinking of moving off campus, many colleges hold housing fairs to help walk you through the ins and outs of becoming a tenant. It's a great way to meet landlords and property managers -- and potential roommates.

The Pros

• Shared expenses Most college students who live off campus share an apartment with other students. UD senior Joe Debus benefited from such an arrangement. "It made living on my own very affordable," says Debus. "My rent was one-third the cost of living alone, and we also shared the costs of food and utilities." Sharing startup costs of furnishings keeps you on budget as well. Debus also acquired unwanted items and furniture from family members to reduce spending. Some students choose to rent furnished apartments. Although this reduces initial costs, the monthly rent might be more. Therefore, this option is better for students renting for shorter periods.

• Private bedrooms When sharing an apartment, you usually have your own room. Need we say more?

• No parking wars Student parking is rarely a problem at larger apartment complexes. Residents often have parking permits with extra spaces available for visitors. Many complexes provide unlimited parking for tenants and their guests.  

The Cons

• Roommate wars No matter where you live, if you're sharing space with others, conflicts are bound to arise. Frequent parties, loud noise, a dirty bathroom and garbage piled sky-high are common problems between roommates. This type of situation was finally too much for Debus, who currently rents a single-bedroom apartment by himself.

• Utility costs "The only real disadvantage to living alone is the higher cost of rent and utilities," says Debus. (Note: You'll probably be paying for gas and electricity -- and maybe water -- on top of your monthly rent, since utilities are rarely included.) Oh, and don't forget to ask about cable TV and Internet hookup.

• Leasing conditions The initial costs of moving into an apartment can be steep, since most require the first and last month's rent up front as well as a security deposit. You'll probably be expected to lock into a lease, and unless you're pre-law, these legal documents can be confusing. Before you put your autograph on the dotted line, be sure you know what you're signing.

Reps at the aforementioned off-campus housing fairs can usually help you break down the deets of your lease. If you can't get to a fair, have your parents or an advisor go through it with you. It's important to know and understand the specific terms of your lease, since you will be held legally responsible. Yeah, welcome to adulthood!