Benefits of Living Off Campus

For college students, there’s little more exciting than living off campus. Off-campus apartment living means more freedom, fun, amenities and affordability. However, there are many more benefits than that. And, the key to finding all these benefits is searching for the best communities and the best student housing.

Space and Privacy

Dorms are notoriously cramped, which means most students live in spaces where their roommate is always only a few feet away. However, in any bachelor apartment Ottawa offers, you can have your own private space. Even if you live with a roommate, you’ll still have more room and privacy than living in a dorm room. This is ideal for upperclassmen who need of more adult-like living arrangements. Plus, you won’t have a Resident Assistant (RA) making sure you follow the rules. Also, if you have visitors, you can invite them to stay over.

Peace and Quiet

There’s always something going on in dorms and on campus, and the housing isn’t always quiet. All the social happenings can be disruptive and tempting, which in turn can negatively affect your grades and academic performance. On the other hand, off-campus living can be more peaceful, and provide an environment that’s more conducive for good sleep, rest and relaxation, studying and doing other school work. However, look out for rowdy roommates and neighbors.

Eat When You Want

This may seem silly, but one of the most unpleasant components of living on-campus is the lack of and quality of food. Most dorms only have mini-fridges with no cooking facilities, and most university dining halls have limited hours. This means you’ll either have to ignore those midnight munchies, snack on the small items you have, rummage up some food wherever you can or spend money (you probably don’t have) on takeout. Besides that, food in dining halls and around campuses isn’t usually that tasty or healthy. However, if you live in your own apartment, you can eat what you want, when you want. Plus, the food can be prepared by you and be as healthy and tasty as you like.

Cool Communities and Amenities

On-campus living can be cool, but it doesn’t offer many amenities, and certainly not any that come close to community and apartment amenities. For example, some off-campus apartments come with access to hot tubs, gyms, tanning beds, game rooms, and even on-site movie theaters. Besides, living in an apartment gives you the opportunity to truly experience the community and city around you without a curfew. It might even help you get key information on job and internship openings. 

Figuring Out Where to Live While Attending University

University life is more important, diverse and inclusive than ever. Many young students are looking for unique and interesting experiences in their classrooms, around their campuses, in their social lives and especially in their housing arrangements. The proposition of a great education can be exciting, but so can a booming social climate and cool living space. Therefore, students should weigh their options when choosing a place to live while attending university. Below are various student housing options that can make choosing a place to live a little easier.

Staying at Home

Living at home while attending university is certainly not the most desirable option for most students, but it is one that comes with a lot of perks. For example, affordability for the student and the parents, access to all the comforts of home, no adjustment period for the student or parents and so much more. However, on the downside, it can be less exciting, won’t provide the social atmosphere of university, can be more restrictive, cause longer travel times to and from classes, hinder independence and won’t invoke the excitement of attending university. But, staying at home could be a viable option for those who can’t afford an Ottawa University Residence.

Living on the Campus

Living on-campus puts students as close to the action, their classes and other university buildings as possible. It’s truly the most convenient way to live during university. Additionally, on-campus rooms or dorms are literally a hub of social activity.

Students might live with one of more roommates, but this is all a part of the social experience. However, if privacy is what you like, there are plenty of schools that offer single, private rooms. Just keep in mind that these rooms are more expensive. But, there might still be less privacy, as most dorms have public lounge areas, communal bathrooms and kitchens. Plus, many universities require freshmen to share dorm rooms.

Often, dorms are co-ed, but bathrooms are never shared between female and male students. This doesn’t mean the shower lines will be shorter though, but if you’re smart, you’ll shower during the very early morning hours. No matter what, remember that on-campus living can be a fun experience that could increase your academic and social abilities.

Living Near the School

If you don’t want to live on-campus, but still near campus, then you could live near the campus in a housing complex designed for students. These apartments aren’t associated with universities and are offered by companies like 1Eleven. Their off-campus residences can give you the best of both worlds by combining the social and academic climate of university with a cool, adult environment. You’ll be living alongside your peers in a nicer, more grown-up living space without the limitations of dorm life.