<p>I might have to choose soon whether to live in apartments next year with 3 other people (I only know one guy well) or co-ops. I kind of want to do co-ops instead if I do get an offer, since I didn't get to know too many people during freshmen year.
Is it worth it for me to choose the co-op and will it provide me the experience I'm looking for, or is it really not worth the cost of paying 100-200 more for co-op every month, as opposed to cheaper apartment plan?</p>
<p>As a sophomore, I currently live with with three other apartment-mates (whom I know pretty well) and would recommend this so long as the location and people are tolerable. From what I’ve heard, co-ops can be a lot of work.</p>
<p>Chose an apartment and couldn’t be happier. It seems like the co-ops are just an extra step in the progression from dorms to apartments, but really, it’s where you live. Why do it later than now?</p>
<p>I found my current apt mates through Craigslist (Cal students; never met before). It’s worked out great and we are decent friends now, in addition to amiable aptmates. I would recommend this, especially given the savings.</p>
<p>One of my friends chose a co-op and she said it was a lot of work with the chores and the large number of people, which may be something to consider.</p>
<p>Piping in for the coops here. The idea that the coops are a lot of work is ridiculous, as someone who has lived in them for 2 years. You are required to do 5 hours of workshift a week. That can mean, for example, 3 hours of cooking and 2 hours of cleaning, or some combination thereof. In exchange, meals are cooked for you 6-7 nights a week, dishes are washed, floors are mopped, etc… this is all stuff that you would have to do in an apartment anyway. Very rarely does 5 hours of workshift turn out to be 5 hours anyway…usually you’re completing tasks that take an estimated 5 hours, but can often finish early. </p>
<p>In any case, if you are looking to make friends, I highly, highly recommend the coops, and disagree with people who say that they are “transition” into apartments. I for one lived in an apt. for a semester after the dorms and it was my least social, most miserable semester at college thus far. Of course others will disagree, but to me its really difficult to make friends in an apartment because often times you won’t even know your neighbors, your friends will probably live far away (as opposed to right down the hall), etc. </p>
<p>In conclusion: coops are the best, give them a chance.</p>