When a student comes up to his/her parents and tells them that he/she wants to live off-campus, it’s a decisive moment in the life of both the parents and the student. It’s a sign that the child is gradually turning into an adult and this is one of the first steps towards complete independence. Now, should you, as a parent, support off-campus living? Before coming to a conclusion about that, let us go through the pros and cons first.

Off-Campus Living Can be Cheaper

College education in the United States is not cheap and off-campus living can actually be more economic than living in the University residence hall, as long as there are a bunch of other students sharing the costs of living. Besides, food costs get reduced significantly when you are cooking your own food.

On-Campus Living Can be More Harmful than Beneficial

The main advantages of living in a residence hall include the ease of commuting to classes and better social interactions with peers. However, the social interaction can be damaging as well. The constant distractions and partying can and often does become a hindrance towards the primary goal of going to college, which is of course, studying and learning. The lack of privacy is also a problem that can disturb mental peace and more importantly, sleep.

Off-Campus Living Teaches Responsibility

Even though he/she may need some financial help from the parents initially to live off-campus, the very act of paying rent and bills, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. is enough to teach young students a lot about responsibilities of the adult life. Besides, it will also teach him/her about living on a budget and that’s essential.

There Will Always be a Place to Stay

During major vacations, residence halls in most colleges close down for the time being, so it might become difficult for a student to attend extra classes or work at the school during that time. If he/she is living nearby in an off-campus property, this essentially nullifies that problem altogether.

Freedom

Freedom is what every young heart desires and it is actually part of becoming a responsible adult. Living in a rented property with a close group provides a lot more freedom than a residence hall. It allows for a better development of personality as well.

Cost Can Also Be Higher than On-Campus Living

While it can be cheaper, there’s a chance that the costs of living in a rented property can also be higher, depending on multiple factors such as the ones mentioned below.

• The cost of commuting to and from the property
• The size of the property and the associated rent
• The facilities that are included in the property
• The number of students sharing the costs

As you can see, while there are still a few factors to consider, the pros of living off-campus on a rented property do outweigh the cons significantly. If your son/daughter is going to study in the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, don’t rush with the renting just yet. Instead, take a look at this apartment catalog and go through all your options before coming to a decision.