Living On Campus vs. Off Campus Forum

[corporatelaw87]

I was planning to live off campus, as I thought it would nice to have my own place, however all of the realtors I have dealt with are a-holes, so I ended up doing on-campus housing, which really isn't that bad from for the looks of the website. I'll probably have a roommate or two, but the rooms are suites, almost like an apartment, which at least in my opinion isn't that bad. I know it varies from school to school, I was just wondering if anyone has an experience/input on on-campus housing/dorms for law students. Thanks.

[clintonius]

No experience yet, but I ran the numbers on my off-campus apartment vs the cheapest on-campus options at my school and calculated that I'll save north of $20,000 over the course of three years by avoiding the dorms. Note that this is NYU, and on-campus housing probably isn't as absurdly expensive at most other schools. Then again, there's also probably a commensurate drop in off-campus housing costs at places where dorms are not as pricey.

[corporatelaw87]

No experience yet, but I ran the numbers on my off-campus apartment vs the cheapest on-campus options at my school and calculated that I'll save north of $20,000 over the course of three years by avoiding the dorms. Note that this is NYU, and on-campus housing probably isn't as absurdly expensive at most other schools. Then again, there's also probably a commensurate drop in off-campus housing costs at places where dorms are not as pricey.

Off campus would only be slightly cheaper depending on where I would live off campus. So price isn't really the issue at hand here. Plus, I don't intend to live on campus for all three years.

[ogman05]

Must also input cost of having a car if there would be a difference. Insurance, gas, actual car, etc.

[corporatelaw87]

Must also input cost of having a car if there would be a difference. Insurance, gas, actual car, etc.

I have a car. I'll have it where I am living no matter on or off.

[oberlin08]

I think this really varies wildly. Someone mentioned NYU, well you dont need a car there so you have to factor in the monthly transit pass or whatever. Likewise if you went a school like U of Richmond, you CANT live on Campus, and you HAVE to get a car to get to campus.

I plan on living as close to campus as possible (praying that I find something cheap within walking distance), or a short short drive away.

[Fark-o-vision]

Consider climate, too. In Tucson I lived with a friend not far from the UofA, but off campus. It was maybe a twenty minute walk. Still, in the heat of the summer, with all our bags and shit, that walk would usually land us on the couch for an hour or two once we got home.