<p>Does it make a big difference in terms of how homesick you feel/how often you go home if you're within driving distance or if you're farther away (but can take a plane that's the same time as driving)?</p>
<p>It sure makes a big difference with moving in and out.</p>
<p>There are some really nice things associated with having one's parents nearby. Not having to pay for laundry is a biggie. Also, commandeering groceries from your parents pantry is pretty cool. The ability to escape from the city at the right times eg. during studying for finals, after breaking up with a s/o, thanksgiving. I didn't live near my parents when I was in college but my wife and I lived near her parents and so I got to see the advantages of both.</p>
<p>Depends on the family I suppose. For us, it was much much better when D was about an 1 1/2 hrs away versus 12 -13 hrs as it's been since we moved. It's not a matter of independence, she has plenty of freedom. It's more about convenience, time and expense. It was nice to be able to make a quick day trip -- sometimes just for dinner or for the heck of it. It was fun. She also liked the idea that if she did need to get away for a quick break she could do it pretty easily without much planning. As it stands now, it's always somewhat of a hassle to find the time, and obviously much more expensive. It's not a major issue, but being so far away gets old pretty quick. However, we are a pretty close knit family so it may be different for others.</p>
<p>I know a man whose mother told him only to apply to colleges more than 500 miles from home. That helped launch him into a good career. I give my oldest son the same advice, but of course the nearby state university is a good "safety" school for him, and one other college within a 500-mile radius of here (at least) is too good not to apply to. </p>
<p>I commuted to State U from nearby apartments when I was a student, and later lived overseas for three years. I think there is a lot of learning to be had from living in a completely new environment, which is why I give this advice.</p>
<p>I started college at a school about an hour from home. One of my high school teachers had recommended that I not make a visit home until Thanksgiving; I followed this advice, except for a two-hour visit to cast my first vote in a presidential general election, and to see my new-born niece.</p>
<p>I transferred my junior year to a college on the other side of the country. </p>
<p>The first school was more convenient when I did go home for visits, and the distance (though minimal) really was sufficient to give me the experience of being on my own.</p>