I went to college in my hometown (not a community college) and I have my education prepaid so a year on campus was already covered. Now, however, I’m considering moving back home after the year is up. My home is minutes away from campus by car and 15 minutes away by bike so getting to campus isn’t an issue. Dorm life also isn’t for me and I already have a decent amount of friends so the social aspect of dorms isn’t important to me either. What do you think is the best decision? Is spending the money on an apartment or renting a house worth it if my house is so close to campus already?
You don’t appear to be interested in the living with friends aspect very much, so you may as well save that money and live at home. I don’t see a reason to get an apartment in your case unless you really want to be out of the house and living with friends.
What is your relationship with your parents like?
How good a student are you?
You have had freedom at college. You can come and go as you please. What will be the expectations when you move home? Will there be an expectation of when you should be home at night? That you eat with the family? That you do chores? Will there be comments like “Shouldn’t you be studying?”
Time to have a heart to heart talk with your parents. Will they be happy to have you move back home? What rules would they put in place and are you willing to abide by them? Can you afford to get an apartment?
My parents have always been relaxed and aren’t very strict because I was always a good kid and I’m a good student. I’ve never had a curfew and they wouldn’t make me do chores (though I’d gladly help around the house) or eat with them. I can afford an apartment but is it worth justifying that cost I wonder when I already live close to campus. Would I be missing out on much if I’ve already lived in a dorm for a year?
I don’t know why you would live away if you’re so close, that would seem like a waste of money. You could use the money you save to take your parents on a nice vacation.
The advantages of living in the dorm (in terms of better connection with the school and other students) are mostly in frosh year. Afterwards, at many schools, most students live off campus anyway. Since your parents are close enough that commuting distance is not an issue, and there are no other issues living with them, it seems like an obvious choice to save money (although you and they should be aware that the food and utilities you consume living there cost more than $0, though much less than typical costs of living away in a dorm or off-campus housing).