Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Is it really worth it?
I wonder what my peers at Columbia are doing for their housing situation. I'm sure everyone wants to live the downtown life, but is it really worth it? The price that we have to pay to stay on campus is like three times the amount we would have to pay for an apartment. Nonetheless, the experience of living in the atmosphere is priceless. Not to mention living close to classes could potentially eliminate excuses for missing class due to weather conditions ect. I myself am trying gain housing on campus for the simple fact that I feel like if I dont that this experience will just be like extended high school. What do you think?
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I don't know if living on campus is necessarily cheaper than an apartment. It depends on the area in which you're looking for one. Around campus apartments are probably more expensive to rent than the areas surrounding Chicago and the downtown area. This I know because I have friends who live a little further away from downtown and they say it's A LOT cheaper. So I guess if you are looking to not live in student housing, I suggest you look at apartments further away from downtown.
ReplyDeleteHowever if you want to experience the residence life, then go for it. It is pretty helpful to get used to the area if you are moving from elsewhere, because everyone in your building is dealing witht he same things.
I too am in the same situation. $9,000-$14,000 is way too much to be paying for on-campus housing. Though living in downtown would actually be a great experience. A chance to be away from home and getting the taste of being an adult is something we should all have as an option.
ReplyDeleteWell i most def think that its way to much money i am staying at home i feel you make what you want to be its also good to get the college experience but think bout live the life downtown and be broke i think it pretty much be the same if you a fun person like me get friends and visit at their house lbs
ReplyDeleteI will be living on campus in the fall semester and I do beleive it will be worth it. It makes it alot easier to get to class because they will all be in walking distance. You wouldn't have to wake up earlier to find ways to get to school. Also I think it gives you more oppurtunities to meet people and have friends. My brother commutes from home to UIC and it would seem like he has no new friends from college and he is about to be a Senior. Your also in the heart of the city with lots to do and see so I'd say go for it.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right. Having an apartment off campus would be cheaper in someways. you also have to factor in paying for cable, internet, all the bills and for transit into downtown. but even then it still is cheaper in most ways. I myself too would prefer to live on campus because, like you said, you are right there. all your classes are in walking or biking distance.
ReplyDeleteAlso you say you "dont that this experience will just be like extended high school;" in my opinion think no matter what style housing you are in, college will be a very different experience compared to high school. we are going here because we WANT to here not because we have to be here.
i always wanted to live on campus in the dorms every since i was in high school. that was my sole motivation for excelling in high school. but now, things have definitely changed. the prices of the dorms are extreamly high. and for someone who lives about 20 minutes away by train, the thought really isnt a smart decision to live on campus. i do agree that the experience is one that cant ever be replaced. but if you wanna live on campus i think it would just be better to find a studio apartment and live there.
ReplyDeleteif you REALLY want to live in your own apartment, I suggest that you wait a year or two before doing so if you aren't from the area. Just advice I was given by friends who have already gone through this process. It is much easier to live in student housing, and on campus for your first year.
ReplyDeleteYou get access to a free u-pass, meal plan, internet, cable, and many more things which in fact does make it cheaper than having to pay for all of those thigns on your own in your own apartment.
I think it will be easy if the students to keep living with there parents and if they have to pay them for whatever they ask for the mouth. It will be better to save alot of money to buy whatever u want when u need it but when it comes to the transpertation to get to school u ganna have to wake up early to catch the bus or train. But if u are happy were u are and u can afford to live there then stay. The good thing about it is that u can learn more about downtown and make alot of friends in the area.
ReplyDeleteI think finding an apartment with roommates would be cheaper. I live in an apartment that will be 1,500-1,800 a month. Its split 3 ways so thats about 500-600 a month. It depends on where you stay and how many rooms you will need. It could be cheaper. At the same time those could be equivalent prices to the on campus housing monthly. So I say do a little research and find out more details, before sticking with one decision.
ReplyDeleteAfter college expenses basically you are...
ReplyDeleteBROKE!
It's really helpful if your parents are helping you out. In my case my mother bought everything I needed for me, since I didn't have a job during the summer or anytime before that. I feel for people who don't have that luxury though, I can't imagine not being able to turn to parents for finacial needs. Luckiy my mom and dad have been saving up for my college since I was born.
ReplyDeleteI like living on campus so far, because all the people seem cool & theres always fellow classmates around who can help me out with stuff. But definelty in the next year,I will be look for an apartment down hear. Because it is really expensive to live on campus & trying to afford other means.
ReplyDelete