If you've reached the point in your college life where you decided to live off-campus finally, this article is your best guide on what student housing trends to consider. Living a fully independent life is probably the ultimate perk of living off-campus. There's a sense of adventure and excitement in living away from home and your campus. Aside from the liberty and flexibility, such experience allows you to develop life skills naturally, too.
However, there are several off-campus options you need to carefully assess and evaluate so that you can find which suits your preference and lifestyle more. Based on your priorities and the different amenities and features offered by each student housing, you can select your next residence in a couple of months or years ahead.
Along with their strong points and valuable benefits, take a look at the following off-campus housing options:
1. Private Apartments
If you want to live in your own flat, opting for central-located apartments like Sunrise Village is a strategic option for you. When units become vacant, apartment building owners often post vacancies in the university's housing office or online platforms. You can also check out newspaper ads if you're specifically looking for an apartment in one location. While this option might relatively be more expensive than dormitories, it's an experience that will make you feel more independent and mature.
It’s common for private residents to sign leases, pay a deposit, and handle all utility expenses by themselves. Living in your own apartment also means you need to shop for groceries by yourself or eat out more often.
Students are more likely to live in private apartments close to campus, so you can also find many apartment options near universities. While private dormitories will typically offer more support, this should be the right living choice for you if you want more ownership of your life routine and privacy.
Another great thing about apartments is that some are newly built buildings, making them more attractive than typical university dorms. Plus, they have better facilities as well. For instance, some apartment buildings have luxurious swimming pools, gyms, and sports areas too.
If this option is more appealing to you, consider more of its benefits below:
A shared dorm room can be cramped if you have a roommate with you. Some people aren't comfortable with the limited space that dorm rooms offer. If you're this type of person, you can enjoy more from the more expansive space offered by apartment flats and units. Whether you share with fellow students and friends, you'll still have ample room, as the unit will only be limited for all of you.
When you're a freshman, living in a cramped space might seem incredible, but such conditions can become impossible as you get older. Renting an apartment off-campus can be a lot more convenient. Moreover, you can feel like living in a real house when you go for an apartment unit. The average apartment has a real kitchen, bedroom, living room, and storage space. These are all components that you enjoy when you're still living with your family. With an apartment unit, you can have all these real-home feels. Also, a larger, more adult-like space makes it easier for a roommate to share. You can invite friends over and spend time with them without feeling uncomfortable and cramped.
Living in an apartment will give you real-life responsibilities to take care of many things in your home. It's like taking the first step towards becoming an adult. For example, you'll need to take care of all the financial aspects, such as paying for rent, utilities, and other expenses. You need to budget your meals and groceries. You also need to maintain your apartment's cleanliness and repair some fixtures if there's a need.
Since you need to sign a lease for an apartment, this experience will make you feel like a real adult. You'll understand more about contracts and terms and be able to communicate with the building owner and landlord more. In other words, this is a great real-life practice for you to live as a young adult.
You’re also gaining your first rental history when you rent an off-campus apartment. This will benefit you in the near future, as you'll be able to find another apartment more quickly if you have an excellent rental history.
- You Can Set Your Own Rules
A lot of rules apply to dorm life, from curfews to overnight guest restrictions. Many things might not be permitted for students to do within the dorm premises. The dorm leader or staff enforces these rules and students should abide by them. At your apartment, you set the rules and you call the shots. Although there are basic rules and conditions for the entire apartment building, you can modify your own within your own apartment unit. Depending on your apartment building, some don't allow pets or noise, so you must consider these so everyone in the apartment can live comfortably and happily. Many students take advantage of apartments because of the lack of curfews, so you can come back home any time you want, unlike dormitories.
Having access to or proximity to amenities is one of the most excellent perks of living off-campus. Although each apartment building boasts its own amenities, you can select your desired apartment based on the amenities that you need. Some apartments are located in central areas, so restaurants, markets, and grocery stores are nearby. By living in a strategic location, you can go exploring and experience more convenience.
While universities usually offer dormitory options, the same living arrangement is also provided by private companies and real estate owners. Giving you the community experience, you'll get to live with other fellow students in a dorm housing style. Dorms on campus operate similarly to private dormitories. Usually, there’s a resident staff or a community leader you can approach regarding concerns and queries. They also sustain the needs of the student residents. There may also be more amenities in private dorms, such as fitness centers and study spaces, and a few include meal plans with your rent. All these will have to depend on the kind of dormitory, though. Depending on your preference, you can select the type of dormitory that offers several inclusions.
Student housing off-campus allows more freedom, but rules do apply to residents. Probably juniors or seniors choose off-campus dormitory housing options if they’re mature enough to handle free time off-campus and have been well-versed with their time management skills. Depending on the dormitory location, you have to understand that it’ll take a little time to travel and go to your respective classes at the university. However, they may offer more amenities and facilities like gyms, pools, movie theaters, sports courts, and many more compared to on-campus dormitories. This should give you the whole experience of living a dorm life.
If you’re carefully considering this student housing trend, take a look at the benefits below:
There are usually bars, shops, and cafes nearby private student housing. Dormitory owners consider students' needs in mind before building such facilities. They know that location is vital when it comes to making students' lives more convenient. Hence, typical dormitories are often located in central areas where universities are nearby and other needed business establishments.
Students living in private dormitories carefully chose the location so that their experience of university life is balanced with being close to everything in the city. You get the best of both worlds if you choose a dormitory within walking distance of university campuses.
University will bring you, new friends. That's a given when you decide to live in an off-campus dormitory too. There are a lot of social areas in dormitories, which allows you to meet students from your block. As mentioned, you'll have access to gyms and courts that are great opportunities for you to meet and have small talk with other residents.
Student residences are highly socialized because of this. In university-owned accommodations, facilities for chilling out, studying, and socializing are usually less impressive. Other facilities may include a cinema room, study space, or a communal kitchen or lounge area.
You can also meet and socialize with other students in your building by attending organized events that dormitory leaders prepare. For example, there are movie nights or cooking sessions that dormitory residents can gather and participate in.
There are many things to consider when choosing student housing options, and security is one of them. Private student housing also has the benefit of offering better security. Some dormitories prioritize strict security, so they invest in security devices like CCTV cameras and digital locks.
Plus, the staff at private student halls are always available if you need any assistance, whether it’s a place in the city, help with your wellbeing, or anything else. They’re also on the lookout for the safety of everyone living in the dorm.
2. Cooperatives Housing Options
Co-ops are an affordable option for many students. In addition to bringing people together, they also bring value to the whole house and building. They’re collectively owned and operated by the people who live within the complex, which is why it's generally called "co-ops." Most residents vote on rules and decisions, and residents also handle tasks like cooking and cleaning. Hence, co-ops can be less expensive than other housing options due to this.
If you want to check out your co-op housing options, you can check online and in nearby communities. Residents of a cooperative don’t acquire shares at market value to earn the right to occupy an apartment permanently but instead subscribe to the co-op or pay rent to obtain membership and occupancy rights. This is the typical model of living in a co-op student housing arrangement.
Members of student housing cooperatives usually share a house and are held jointly responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. Cooperatives of students to provide cheaper housing to university students were formed primarily for economic reasons. Another purpose for this housing trend is to make students more responsible and build teamwork together as residents.
Collectively owned and democratically operated by its residents, student housing cooperatives operate as businesses with a shared ownership model and gain valuable experience in business management. With this business model, some co-ops continue to invest and acquire more properties making it a healthy housing alternative for students who want cheaper accommodations.
3. Rented Room In Private Houses
In addition to off-campus housing, one can rent a room in a private residence. This arrangement is common for those who want to live in a specific neighborhood or location. There are also some houses near campuses that rent out rooms to students. Near campus homes may offer unique living arrangements like free stays in exchange for babysitting or home cleaning services. This makes it a great living arrangement for students who want to save on rental and living fees.
The landlord typically covers utility bills. Some families may include food in the room and board payment, while other families may expect students to purchase groceries and prepare meals for themselves.
The current economic challenges have made it more difficult for people to find affordable housing options, making it more economical for many young students. Are you thinking about renting a room instead of a flat? Consider the following merits and decide whether a room is better to rent than staying in a dorm or apartment.
- Renting a room as opposed to an entire apartment has the apparent advantage of being cheaper. You’ll only be renting a single room instead of an apartment. Because of this, students who are on a tight budget often prefer to rent a room.
- By renting a room, you can live in a great location that you otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. As mentioned, some houses are located inaccessible areas, and they offer a reasonable price, despite the fantastic location. Living in that part of town at an affordable rate is easy with a single room rental.
- In addition to being more convenient, renting a room in a shared house will spare you from having to worry about maintaining the upkeep of the home, as this is the responsibility of the homeowner. Especially if you're co-living with the homeowner themselves, they usually take care of everything else.
- It’s also possible to make friends in a shared house if you rent a room. Aside from being friends with the landlord’s family, you can be friends with other occupants who are also renting other rooms.
Conclusion
While moving off-campus may seem like a difficult decision, the reasoning to do so is simple. Besides saving money, having more room, setting your own rules, accessing fantastic amenities, and gaining valuable life experience, you can meet many people and form your social circle as well. With the many student housing trends for living off-campus mentioned above, you'll be able to select the perfect match to your priorities and preferences.
