There are both advantages and disadvantages to living on-campus and off-campus and it really is up to the individual, their budget, capability to adapt to the independent lifestyle and their own personal preferences. Both choices will enable you to gain freedom, privacy and financial independence but it involves a lot of responsibilities and effective cost management skills. For both, you will firstly need to consider the location, the budget and the services and facilities provided. Services and facilities can vary depending on the institution, for instance, some Universities will provide air conditioning and heating systems, whereas others will only provide the bare basics – there are various choices catering for different budgets and it all depends on how much you’re willing to spend.
Making the transition from living with your old folks to living independently can be difficult – some will choose to live on-campus as it makes things easier since there is support provided by campus staff, dormitory resident assistants and even counsellors. Living on-campus is a good idea for those who are just starting out as student housing is convenient, safe and hassle-free. If you’re living on-campus, you won’t have to worry about bills, pay for transport and parking, cook or clean or make a trip to IKEA for furniture, equipment and kitchen appliances as everything will be prepared for you. These are clearly advantages when moving into off-campus accommodation can be too overwhelming for some students since there are more things to take care off such as bills, deposit and leases, electricity and meals.
Residing in student housing also gives you the opportunity to mingle with other fellow students as you’ll be situated within a vibrant student community which encourages friendships to be easily made; these friendships will definitely be valuable – for social, academic and professional purposes. You’ll also be invited to join an array of social, cultural and sporting events in the student community – basically, you’ll find it easier to fit into University if you’re living on campus. Moreover, living on-campus means that you’ll be close to classes and academic support and if you’re a procrastinator, living on-campus will serve you well as you’ll be able to hand in a paper 5 – 10 minutes just before it’s due.
Living on campus allows you to sleep in right before class starts
Unfortunately, the downside is that it generally costs more to live on-campus. Also, you won’t have much choice in regards to dining; you won’t be able to choose what to eat and the food can become a bit routine – pretty soon, you’ll be able to guess what’s going to be on your plate. Many are also deluded into thinking that living on campus means the epitome of social life and parties but truth be told that all the parties are actually happening beyond the campus/dormitory grounds – yeah, alcohol isn’t permitted in student housing. Some also feel that living on-campus restricts them from having a life outside of university as you’ll be on university grounds for the majority of your time.
Living outside of university is the other option however, your responsibilities will be exponentially higher. You’ll have to take care of things such as deposit and renters insurance, utility costs, bills, electricity, broadband, water and your own groceries and meals. Seeking accommodation near university or the city can also be a hassle and it will also be competitive and expensive as others (and not just students but also those in the workforce) will be fighting for cheaper rent and property. However, being able to live outside of university can make one feel more independent and mature enough to handle the additional responsibilities, rendering a stronger sense of satisfaction.
For those who are intending to move away from home, here are some things to consider:
- What is your budget?
- Where would you prefer to live? How close would you like to be to university?
- Would you like to live with others?
- Are electricity, water and broadband included in the weekly rent or do you have to pay for them separately?
- Is there a laundry and does the toilet/bathroom leak?
- Is it close to public transport and shops?
- Is the area safe?
- Is the property in good condition? Will it need repairing?
Sometimes that's all we can afford on a student budget
Don’t forget that there are also many different types of accommodation choices for both on-campus and off-campus living. With off-campus housing you can get private, shared, rental or homestay accommodation whereas on-campus housing includes bedrooms in a residential college or in a shared university-owned apartment or terrace house, studio apartment or apartment at a university village.
Lastly, as your budget will be the biggest deciding factor, it is advisable to check whether you are eligible for ‘Centrelink’ benefits such as ‘Youth Allowance’ and ‘Fares Allowance’. You might also want to consider getting a part time job to support yourself – how about working on-campus?