<p>I know that financial aid is not reduced if a student lives off campus; I have read the res life’s info about this, but I am just a bit unsure of the process. If any of you wise Brunonians (students or parents) knows anything about this can you please let me know what your experience was like? D has already received permission from res life to live off campus for next year. Thanks, as always.</p>
<p>I live off campus and nothing changed and there was no process.</p>
<p>Brown simply continues to estimate that housing costs to live off campus are equivalent to housing costs on campus.</p>
<p>"Brown simply continues to estimate that housing costs to live off campus are equivalent to housing costs on campus."</p>
<p>Are they?</p>
<p>Yes, comparable or slightly cheaper so far in my daughter's case.</p>
<p>Franglish, my daughter's experience is like MM's. Once you get permission, there is no further process. The housing cost estimate is the same, so she gets those funds credited to her account. Your actual housing cost can really vary depending on the number of housemates.</p>
<p>She searched around for housing using craigslist and I think the grad student listserv. It is usual to take a place for a year, unless a sublet allows otherwise. She says the best choices are for begining summer, it dries up a bit more at the end. Many people try to sublet if they will be away for the summer. You can't prorate the cost based on 12 months. You have to drop it quite a bit in order to attract someone. My dd has also sublet from others a couple of summers.</p>
<p>As a tip, you can get a lot of furniture and apartment stuff for free or cheap if you keep your eyes out when Seniors are moving out. They give a lot of stuff away or sell it for cheap.</p>
<p>She also reported that when she went off meal plan, it was sometimes tiresome to shop and cook. She prefered the off-campus meal plan, so she could cook a little, but grab something when she was busy. She seemed to think the off campus plan was good value.</p>
<p>I'm totally off meal plan and definitely prefer it and save money that way. Most of my friends spend less money on housing than they would if they were on campus-- but you have to live in at least a 3 bedroom to hav ea shot at that, and probably a four bedroom to live somewhere nice and have it end up being any cheaper. IN a one bedroom apartment with a fantastic location, when all is said and done, I pay about 500 more than I did a year living on campus, but I save that on food.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys! D called last night and said she and her three off-campus group mates found a 4-bedroom place and were about to sign a preliminary lease. Whatever that means. Apparently the landlord wants them to send it home for parental approval first. That strikes me as a very good idea and a responsible landlord. She was very excited when she called, and we are happy for her to be making this "grownup" decision. Reduced meal plan is also on the horizon, so I think we are on the right track.</p>
<p>A lot of landlords in the area are very experienced with students and require students to sign parent-backed leases.</p>
<p>Make sure she knows about SafeRide on-call.</p>