<p>I just accepted my admissions offer from San Francisco State University, and now I need to go about getting housing. I'm not really sure what the best option is. I do not have family in the city, and I do not drive, so it comes down to getting a dorm room or renting off campus and commuting by public transit or bicycle. I don't actually have the life experience to know which path to take, because I've never rented anything before. Relevant factors are that I make very little money (my current job at my community college is work study, and I depend on financial aid) and that I will be entering university as a 24 year old. Can you wise parents of CC share some of your ample life experience with me so I can better come to a decision?</p>
<p>How,will you pay for this housing…regardless of on or off campus? </p>
<p>If you have a way to pay…getting a room in an apartment might be a better choice than living on campus in a dorm as a 24 year old. </p>
<p>A mix of financial aid and student loans for what it covers (so glad I went to CC first).</p>
<p>How would I find roommates if I go off campus?</p>
<p>Join the facebook group for SFSU (you’ll need a SFSU email address). They will probably have a housing group, or at least a student group. A housing group will have people looking for new roommates, or you can ask about finding housing in a student group. Craigslist is also an option, but there are benefits to living with other students.</p>
<p>There are only freshmen in the limited dorms. Unfortunately SF is now very expensive due to the tech people there. Sometimes people in the area rent rooms in there houses to students. They even have 'mother in law aparements, which have their own entrance. That would be nice. Also there is a large apartment complex next door where students share apts. There is a Muni Metro station right outside the college so you can get to the school on public transportation if you find something on that line, it is the M line if I recall. Look it up and print out a Metro Map so you will know. </p>
<p>Many apartments are listed on craigslist, but you have to sort through scammers sometimes. Never send money to anyone you didn’t meet in person and see the place is real. My daughter sublet an apartment there not too long ago from craigslist. She contacted them and talked via skype from out of town and they came to an agreement. Then she went to see the place and meet the other roommate in the place and gave the person the money and got the key. Look under sublets on craigslist, maybe you can get something temporary first so you can figure out where you want to live. But I would also look for rooms for rent on craigslist in the neighborhood near the school or on the Metro line. It is going to be expensive unless you really put some work in.</p>
<p>But the FB group sounds best and to find a student housing group or listserv.</p>
<p>Parkmerced is a huge apartment complex adjacent to the SFSU campus. The units range from studios to townhomes with several bedrooms.</p>
<p>The only housing available for transfer students in your age group is at University North and University South (and neither includes meal plans, which wouldn’t be necessary since your on-campus housing options have kitchens).
<a href=“http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/options/ups.html”>http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/options/ups.html</a> - single or double room townhouse (furnished)
<a href=“http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/options/upn.html#”>http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/options/upn.html#</a> - single or double room in apartments (furnished)</p>
<p>Here is the current fee schedule (note it’s by semester, not school year)
<a href=“http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/forms/AY14_15FeeSchedule.pdf”>http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/forms/AY14_15FeeSchedule.pdf</a></p>
<p>If you plan to apply to housing DO IT NOW. Housing is VERY limited. Do not put it off! </p>
<p>Here is SFSU’s info on off-campus housing. Note – Park Merced (a very large apartment complex) is RIGHT NEXT DOOR to SFSU. </p>
<p>Pros to dorming:
- Usually cheaper than off campus housing
- You meet much more people and faster than if you live in off campus housing
Cons to dorming: - You might be older than the other transfer students (if this bothers you)</p>
<p>Pros to off campus:
- More space, more room, more privacy
Cons to off campus: - MUCH harder to meet people and make friends</p>
<p>Personally, I would much rather live in a dorm to meet people and save money. But everyone is different.</p>
<p>I’d suggest living on campus the first year. It will be much easier to meet other students (you will be housed with continuing students and transfer students). </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I got paid today, so I was able to pay off the housing application fee and get my application in. If I don’t get a room, thanks for the ideas where to look off campus.</p>
<p>Also, MLM’s avatar looks almost exactly like my Mom’s cat. Blue Point Siamese?</p>
<p>Looking at the options, there iscampus housing for people your age.
<a href=“http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/options/upn.html”>http://www.sfsu.edu/~housing/options/upn.html</a>
Returning and first time transfer students who are older than 19 and younger than 25 years old.
It might be best to live on campus first and then see what your options are next year.</p>