<p>Perhaps @collegeguider can help with this question. Others welcome of course.</p>
<p>Premature question, since my son is still deliberating, but I am creating a spreadsheet for him that maps out the next four years so he can better compare (cost is of great concern to him, which I appreciate, especially with his two siblings following to college in a couple of years.) When we were at the open house, the ambassador mentioned that housing is starting to get so tight that many sophomores are being notified that they have to move off campus. Ole Miss, I have read, is busy trying to build more housing, but my son may have to move off campus, too, during his sophomore year in 2015 (just as he would likely have to do at Alabama, but not at Louisiana Tech.)</p>
<p>So, do you have any opinions on which off-campus housing options might be the best? I just spent some time at the university off-campus housing site. Some choices that don't look good to me right off the bat are the 6 Bedroom/5 Bath houses offered at one complex - that just sounds crazy to me :)</p>
<p>Anyway, just looking for some feedback/opinions. It would be nice to be within walking distance of the campus, of course. Maybe the new housing will be available by the time of his sophomore year. As a parent, I guess I like the idea of living on campus at least the first and second years and then transitioning off campus. But oh well.</p>
<p>Chesterton, I understand your concern about only living on campus the first year. But remember, students mature very quickly their first year in college. What dorm is your student planning on living in the first year? The RC use to allow students to stay on campus all four years if they chose to. A call to student housing to verify this policy still stands would be advised.</p>
<p>I’m sure collegeguider will chime in on the most up-to-date information on housing availability for the second year. As far as off campus housing, my daughters found many nice apartments to choose from. Some within walking distance. Many with bus transportation to campus. It worked out nicely.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your reply. I appreciate the information. Glad to hear about the bus transportation options.</p>
<p>I was just trying to find out some info about preferred off campus housing, mostly so I could enter a reasonable dollar amount for housing costs for years 2-4. That overall 4 year perspective is going to be very important for my son as far as making a decision, because one school will be entirely free and the other, while offering the free tuition, has higher known housing. He would be interested in housing that minimizes the need to use a car and deal with parking, and he has no interest living in off campus housing that touts a resort life. He is not coming for a party (his words, not mine.). I think I will just plug in an average rate, because there probably is not much difference as far as cost. Main difference would be lifestyle and environment at that off campus housing.</p>
<p>This is my last contribution to the college choice process, and I do look forward to getting out of the way and just contributing our financial commitment. I won’t ever be contacting the school or asking about grades, or internship-hunting, job-hunting, etc. I know my son will be able to handle all of that, and in doing so, I am sure he will mature a lot over that first year, though I am thankful that he has already had a lot of responsibility and looks at life a bit different than some of his friends. His concern about taking on debt or adding unnecessary costs indicates that to me, though I wish I could help him worry less. </p>
<p>Sounds like you have a wonderful son that will be very successful during his college career. My daughters took care of their off campus housing decisions and paid the bills. But, I can tell you that they had a beautiful condo (three bedrooms, two baths, unfurnished) in a quiet development. A bus ran every 20 minutes. If I recall, the monthly rent was $1100 divided by three occupants. I know that many of their friends paid much less. I’m sure some paid more. </p>
<p>@seekingknowledge . . . that is very helpful. I think I will use that $1100 in the spreadsheet - sounds like a reasonable number and something to work with. Thanks so much for the great information. Glad to hear your daughters enjoy attending Ole Miss. We certainly understand why so many students love it there. Thanks again!</p>
<p>There are some options for upperclass housing on campus. These include the Residential College and our Campus Walk apartments. Your student would have to have applied and be accepted to live in the RC. The Campus Walk spaces are reserved for upperclassmen. There are various types of off-campus apartments and rental houses that range in price and distance from campus. As an individual, I would be prepared to pay an average of about $500/month in rent (depending on desired number of roommates). There are cheaper or more expensive options as well. Try this site: <a href=“http://offcampus.housing.olemiss.edu/”>http://offcampus.housing.olemiss.edu/</a>. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s a good start.</p>
<p>@chesterton I talked to the mother of a Junior and her daughter pays $550 plus some utilities for her room in a 4 bedroom unfurnished apartment so @collegeguider is right on for budgeting.</p>
<p>Please avoid Lafayette Place at all costs! It looks nice but it is WAY overpriced, they overcharge for utilities and it is not well maintained. The management was just awful and the quality of construction, flooring, fixtures and utilities is poor. The only good thing was the location. There is ALOT of off-campus housing…no worries!</p>
<p>@momrules Really!? My brother stayed at Lafayette Place the past three years and he has had no problems with his apartment. He has a 2 bedroom apartment which he shares with a roommate, and whenever I go over there to chill, the apartment has absolutely 0 problems. Comfortable bedrooms, great structure, good flooring, good AC, good bathrooms, good kitchen, awesome living room, and a patio. Guess we have different tastes</p>