Commuter Problems

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Yes, that's right. Freshman year I commuted from my parents house (about 8 miles from my uni.) I'm now a sophomore and ready to "cut the umbilical cord." Haha! :D I love my parents dearly, but let's just say they're a little too overprotective. You think you had little freedom at home--my parents actually flipped out over me wanting to eat organic food, wearing a little makeup, and not watching a movie with them. I'm really tired of it.</p>

<p>The daily 8 mile drive to and from uni isn't exactly plesant I'd like to be a lot closer so I can experience college life a little more, participate in student organizations that meet later at night, attend evening study groups, and not have to plan my day or classes around the commute. Also, the neighborhood my parents live in is just plain depressing--it's empty and super quiet.</p>

<p>My parents say they will pay my tuition, but nothing else. The dorms are a rip off (more expensive than an apartment), so that's off the list. I have around $8,000 (no debt or loans) and everything I'd need for an apartment or house, so it's definitely doable. I really don't want to spend $700 a month for an apartment and utilities especially since I plan on staying in the area for grad school and maybe for my career. We do have a spare house in the family that's pretty nice and like a walking distance from my uni. I'd really like to stay there (at least for this school year), but I feel awkward bringing this up with the family and I know they'll flip out and go all overprotective on me. I am the first born, so I think my parents (mostly the mom) is in that "fear the empty nest" stage. She still wants to cook me breakfast, choose what I do, and treat me like a little kid (I'm 19 BTW.) When I calmly bring up the idea of not commuting she starts her "if you don't like this house, get out!" My dad had the whole college experience in the dorms and he's okay with me not commuting, but he tends to forget about what he believes and just agrees with my mom. </p>

<p>Any commuters in this situation? Any ideas?</p>

2

<p>your family has a ‘spare house’ near campus, but you’re thinking about spending money to live somewhere else??? is it a haunted house??</p>

3

<p>Haha, no. The family will just probably say “no” in attempt to keep me at home. Like I said, they’re kind of in that “fear the empty nest” stage.</p>

4

<p>Your parents are weird (well, your mom). That makes absolutely no sense that they’d be afraid when you’re only 8 miles away. </p>

<p>Talk to your parents about staying at that house or consider getting a roommate. I don’t know where you live but $700 is considered super cheap where I’m supposed to live. If you seriously want to cut the cord, get a loan as a last resort. </p>

<p>In all honesty, I live about 8 miles away from campus and I’m nowhere near my parents. I have to commute, but it should definitely not restrict your “college experience”. Having free food and housing is a steal in my opinion. I understand your want of independence though as I had to drive 50 miles one-way every day for the past three years and come home to chores and annoying parents. Even though I’m being saddled up with massive loans to support my living, I still have to live on canned soup and sandwiches to get by. I wouldn’t exactly consider that optimal living, but I do think it’s worth it versus commuting two hours every day from home. If I were in your situation, I probably would’ve stayed at home and finished my degree with practically zero debt. I have to take out $16K in loans per year now versus the $0 at community college I had to spend to support my current living situation and I don’t pay for tuition.</p>