Living off-campus for sophomore year

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I'm currently a freshman living in Jester West for the Fall 2013 & Spring 2014 semester. I've heard that people have started looking for off-campus housing now, and I don't want to delay. I want to live off-campus for my sophomore year with 3 other people, but my dad doesn't want me to. His argument is that if I stay on-campus, I:</p>

<p>1) Will get better grades because I'll be closer to my classes
2) Won't have to cook/clean bathrooms/etc...
3) Will have to pay less than living off-campus (I'm pretty sure he's wrong about this)</p>

<p>He says that people only live off-campus because it's more fun to do so. I need to convince him that living off-campus is better than living on-campus. I have some questions</p>

<p>1) Roughly what percent of sophomores live ON-CAMPUS? I assume a vast majority live OFF-CAMPUS</p>

<p>2) Is living off-campus cheaper than living on-campus? What about food costs and preparing meals?</p>

<p>3) Anyone have any places they can recommend?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>Perhaps around a 1/3 of sophomores that I know still live on-campus. </p></li>
<li><p>Living off-campus can be cheaper IF you share the cost of an apartment. Look at this way: a $795 apartment bedroom in a three bedroom apartment. If you live with someone else that’s half of that, or around $400. Take around $75 for water and electricity (each person). Then allocate money for food and furniture if you choose unfurnished.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Also apartments farther from campus will be cheaper. </p>

<p>There are also other off-campus alternatives like coo-ops and college houses. Look into those to see if they are right for you.</p>