Living on campus is becoming more and more popular but some people are not looking at all of their options. I lived on campus one year and now I have an apartment unaffiliated with campus and it is amazing. The benefits of finding my own place are amazing. It might be a little more work, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Especially in a city like Raleigh, here are some reasons to live off campus in an apartment.

1. It is cheaper

I am the type person who will get the most for my money and I noticed that while living on campus I was missing out on things and paying more. More money for a smaller room, and roommate, all while paying the university more money. Do the math. I am saving hundreds living off campus.

2. Pets

One of my favorite things about having my own place is that now I can have a furry friend with me where the closest I had to a pet my freshman year was a beta fish named, Achilles. I feel like my life is more whole with a pet, like this is a home and not just somewhere that I will be temporary like a dorm.

3. More space

Let’s not pretend that you would describe living in a dorm as your peak living situation. Imagine having your own room, your own kitchen, your own bathroom, I can keep going. Instead of being cramped in a closet-sized room with someone who eats with their mouth open, explore your options, they are better.

4. Food

My least favorite part of living on campus for those nine months was the eating situation. There was a kitchen in my building, that I shared with eight other floors of 40 other poor college students. I stayed eating oatmeal for every other meal and exploring the different menus at Talley, always eating the same stuff. Now I cook great dinner for myself six days a week and my palate is versatile.

5. College competition

Upperclassmen are having to fight for a place to live on campus due to the influx of freshman required to live on campus for their upcoming year. They have to house the students, so juniors and seniors are down on the totem pole. Though you are competing with a larger demographic when looking for apartments, there are also tons of apartments to make up for that.

6. Real home

With an apartment, you move in and you stay until you don’t want to anymore, maybe years, but when you live on campus your lease is much more up in the air. For nine months yes that is your home but once summer comes around you have to move back out, into your parent's house, for the next couple of months until you get your next place. You are a nomad. I have a patio, just saying.

7. Great practice

So much goes into renting a place and running a home. Bills every month including power, internet, and Spotify. And chores have become an extra job. Honestly, though I prefer them now that they’re in my own home. Living in an apartment is an extra journey of adulting but helps ease the process of growing up.

8. Privacy

No more do I have to wait in line to go to my own bathroom. No roommate walks in on my changing because she has a key to combat me locking the door. I do not have to worry about sneaking kisses from my boyfriend because I am worried about others being uncomfortable. It is just us, living with positive vibes.

9. Roommates

Sometimes when we are brave and are assigned a random roommate, it is like Russian Roulette. There is always one bad experience. My boyfriend also lived on campus his freshman year and he was unlucky with the roommate match. Personalities clash, people can be rude, even gross sometimes. Why do we want to live in such close quarters with negative energy? In an apartment, you have a room to yourself.

10. Your stuff

I sleep so much better now that I am sleeping in my own bed. It is liberating to move out of your parent’s house but, are you really out of their house, if you leave so much stuff with them? In my dorm I felt like I was going to a boarding school. Your space means your rules, so you can hang as many Christmas lights as you want!