Living off-campus for freshman year?

Student Lounge College Life
1

Hi, I am an incoming freshman and now considering between off-campus or dorm.
I know this may sound obvious that most freshmen choose to live in dorm but I also have an option of sharing an apartment with my relative and the rent price is really cheap.Plus, the expenses for eating or grocery shopping is definitely cheaper than the college’s meal plan. Here are the pros and cons that I have come up with living off-campus:

Pros: Will be approximately 7k-8k cheaper than living in the dorm
The apartment is literally right on/next to the college campus, my college is an urban university which doesnt have an isolated campus so there’s no need for me to worry about commuting to school ( 5 minute walk ).
It is hard to find a nearby apartment with a cheap price like this, and now i have the option that many college students are dying for.
I can experience the mature life right in the beginning
Cons: The thing that i’m the most concerned with is that i have to share the room with that relative and she is a girl and Im a boy which may not be really convenient. However, this situation will just last for this school year since shes a senior now. After she moves I can have the room for myself or get a male roommate. But im still concerned.
Im also worried that living off-campus may affect my social life since most freshmen live in the dorm. But I’m not sure if it really affects much since I basically live on campus , just not in the dorm.
I just want some thoughts from you guys or just some advice for my odd situation.

2

If you can afford it you could possibly live on campus for a year so you could make friends and stuff then move to the apartment after your relative’s graduated high school. As a girl, living with a girl who’s probably used to having her own room could be annoying for both of you.

3

If the savings is important to your family I think it is probably do-able. What does your sister think?

4

Can you afford a dorm?
Are you ready to be responsible for planning, shopping and cooking all your meals?
Are you ready to pay all your bills?
Are you ready to clean your apartment?
WHat will you do to make friends?