<p>College mealplans are more expensive than cooking at home. All that slicing and dicing of side variables ( pun intended) are irrelevant. We are not talking about cooking gourmet meals with all organic products and expensive things like filet mignon, lobster and dover sole, or the small cost of utilities (gas/electric) to prepare the food. </p>
<p>OP is just planning for the future, for an apt she is not even going to rent until next summer, so she’ll have a long time to look and something she finds today may not be available next summer, may cost twice as much, or may deteriorate.</p>
<p>I rented a fairly nice apt my senior year. Shared a room. The walk to campus was about 1/4 mile, but that was the wrong side of campus for me, so more like 3/4 mile. Through an underpass. By several construction sites. Often dark. I didn’t feel unsafe but people did get assaulted all over campus, even in the ‘safe’ neighborhoods, so caution was still required. I paid more, it was farther, and I shared a room. That was worth it to me.</p>
<p>You can give up some nice things (location, convenience) to get a nicer living situation. I think what we are all saying is chose wisely. Don’t borrow to live nicer now because you can’t know what your job situation will be later. If you are saying that your loan payment will be $130 and that’s ‘nothing’, think again. Do you have $130/mo now that is just ‘extra’? Those $100 and $200 payments (phone, cable, electric) can kill you when you are young and just working. It’s a car payment or insurance payment.</p>
<p>It is common to hear that students are borrowing and will just live at home while they repay the loans after college. What if there are no jobs near their homes, or they need to be near a major airport? What if they can’t go back to their high school ways and live quietly and neatly? What if they want to have a pet, or a boy/girlfriend, or get married? Just don’t spend money you don’t have to before you make it.</p>
<p>I can’t cook to save my life right now. My skills top out at making grilled chicken. 
I don’t think I’ll be hunting for much fresh produce or “quality” ingredients. Target’s got my back!</p>
<p>Yes, I am planning. It doesn’t hurt to look early. A lot of large expenses are coming this year and it’s in my best interest to look now, find out what the estimated living expenses are so I can maximize my leftover funds from this year. I will choose wisely. </p>
<p>As for the estimated loan repayment, I’m not exactly fretting over it. If I do have to pay $130 a month, there are ways I could get that paid down without it breaking me. I could move back home and work in town. It wouldn’t be ideal, but I could swing it. It’s not ideal for me to borrow, either. I’ve made this known, and for what it’s worth, I’ve gone this far without having to borrow. I don’t want to borrow, but if I have to I will. </p>
<p>I know you guys don’t know this because you don’t see it, but I am planning and pooling my resources together. I’m putting your words and advices into consideration. Things are looking up. </p>
<p>Have you decided to stick with your civil engineering major? A short time ago you indicated that you were considering changing or dropping out. Those are big decisions that affect $$$.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m still in civil engineering. We all talked about getting a design class to help diversify things. I thought you commented and saw, as well…</p>
<p>Don’t recall the outcome or that one was decided- just the discussion, and consideration of participating in design projects.</p>
<p>UPDATE: </p>
<p>After number crunching, I was able to figure out how much I can afford each month for my apartment. Definitely opened doors and gave me a better feel on what funds I’d be working with. I was able to find three fully-furnished apartments for no more than $800 a month. They are relatively safe, in good condition, and are in a relatively good traveling distance from campus. My roommate and I have already talked about it and are going to make plans to tour them this Fall and Spring. </p>
<p>Eekk. So excited! Now, we just have to wait to get through this school year back in campus. At least it’s something to look forward to! ;)</p>
<p>To all who helped, thank you!!</p>
<p>So will your share be $800 per month or will that amount be split with your roommate?</p>
<p>$800 is my max budget. Rent would be lower than that give or take $35-200 dollars, depending on which layout we get. </p>