Off Campus Apartment or Dorm? Part 2 in a series by Matthew Forman

Last time we looked at a slice of dorm life. You already know that I cannot tell you all you need to know in these articles, just broad overviews. Now that you have some of the information on dorms (again, check with the school you will be attending!) let’s take a look at apartment living.

Like I said, I live in Murfreesboro, so I will be using local information, and while it is typical it may not hold for where you are attending.
Again, the main factor is going to be cost!

Just like the dorms on campus, apartments are neither free nor cheap! Like all college town, Murfreesboro has an abundance of apartment complexes that cater to students. Typically, they are 2 bedroom/2 bath, 4 bedroom/2bath and 4 bedroom/4 bath settings with shared kitchens and living rooms. Some have private washers and dryers in each apartment, others have communal laundry.

Rent is usually $375 per bedroom for a 4 bedroom unit, to $475 per bedroom for a 2 bedroom unit, both per month, and all require 10 month leases. That means a minimum of $3750 per school year, and does not include food! If you have never lived in a college town (or a military one), then you need to understand that everything is priced at a premium. Even at Wal-Mart!

Also, if you and your roomies use “excessive” amounts of electricity or garbage, you have added charges on your next monthly statement.
The major downside once more is that you normally cannot choose your roommate, unless you have 3 friends lined up to go to school with you. It is first come, first serve, and the only consideration is based on gender.

On the plus side, you have more privacy and distance from school rules. Guests are not required to check in and out. Here, all the complexes have pools, work out rooms, and internet office space for additional studying. Like the campus dorms, free internet and usually cable are provided.

For good or bad (you choose which), security is more of an issue. Locals who are inclined to look for targets know that police response is much more limited here than on campus. Also, the fact that some of your neighbors WILL be party animals has to be considered. Almost every campus has a no alcohol rule, and when enforced this limits the partying. The apartments do not.

As I said in the first article in this series, dorm space is at a premium just like everything else. If you are going to be the serious student, then the party atmosphere that can prevail at the complexes will not be for you. In the next installment, we will look at other options that are also available. In the meantime, have a great summer!