We went with the No. 1 choice: within a few hours’ drive. I’m just not comfortable with my child being SO far away that I would have to take a plane to get to him. I don’t want to bother him at college or be annoying, but if, God forbid, he was in an accident or something, I would want to be able get there fast. Or even if he just wants to come home for a weekend occasionally, I’d like that to be easily doable and affordable. Just our own feeling.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong on this one, but a lot of posters have mentioned emergencies. Both of my sons went far away (20+ hour drives) and to areas that are served by an airport, but not a major one. Both had an emergency as a result of athletic injuries. One had a complete bone break requiring surgery to set it with plates and pins. He was in surgery before I could have even got to the airport. The other needed an arthroscopic knee repair. I was a mess; they were fine.
I have been very impressed with this generation. They make a family of friends and they take care of each other. Both sons had friends with them at the hospital for the entire time, and they even called me with updates. Friends brought them meals, ice packs and more when they got home and they helped them get to class when they were ready. All their needs were met. I wish I could have been there, but they were fine. It was kind of hard for me to realize they didn’t need me, but it was very good for them to know they could get through a crisis without their parents.
Holidays are the same. They always gather with friends and celebrate the special occasions. It’s all so much harder on the parents than the students.
My mother wanted me to stay in state. I wasn’t so sure if I wanted to, because if I stayed within a couple hours she’d be visiting every single weekend. Or expecting me to come home every weekend. However, in state is cheaper, and I ended up liking a school that’s just over three hours away, which is far enough that she’ll be reasonable in how many visits home I’ll make.
Im applying to only Florida schools coming from California. Here is why. I hate Northern California and I love Florida. Ive been to Florida four times and aside from that I know I will like it there better because of the people, hobbies, weather, environment, east coast (Closer to Latin America and Europe matters for me alot). Florida will be my home state soon so technically it isnt far away from home after all. And my parents plan to move to Miami in 2 years.
Our D set her own parameters. She wanted to be no farther than a days drive from home or a quick flight. She is at a school 10 1/2 hours from home. We are glad she is no farther but wouldn’t have stopped her from attending anywhere that was a good fit and that we could afford.
I’m from Missouri and our big state school is Mizzou, basically like 80% of my high school goes there and its only an hour and a half away. Almost every adult in my life doesn’t even want me to apply because getting out of Missouri when you can is an opportunity that you should take… my mom did give me a 6 hour radius limit but she is very lenient on that. It’s basically my decision.
I think this thread is also applicable for foreign students like me. I really wanted to try studying abroad and work at the same time. Although, it would be really expensive especially since I do not have relatives in the places I chose
Personally, distance is just a number. You can always be at the end of the world and that would still be OK. It is a matter of perspective. I love my family but I wanna see the world for myself so whether I’m at the edge of russia or australia, it would still be ok because I want to be there.
But if you want your family to be within your reach then don’t leave your home. Emergencies will always be there lurking lol
That is just my opinion though. No harm. No foul 
any school that offers the best value of cost + academic quality, after factoring in travel costs.
that could be 3 miles away or 3000, depending on your situation.
The only restriction that my parents placed on me was that I didn’t attend any California schools (fear of earthquakes and wildfires). However, I didn’t even want to leave the East Coast, so that virtually eliminated ALL schools west of Pennsylvania. I only applied to one school in my home state of New Jersey, as the main objective was really just to get the heck out of there. I applied no further north than Massachusetts, but as far south as Florida. When it came time to pick between the six universities that accepted me, Connecticut ended up being the furthest North I could go (I was, perhaps fortunately, shut out of Mass). And although I liked the Florida school enough to give it the bronze medal for third place, I had independently decided that it was too far away for me to never be homesick. Luckily, I found the best fit/value school for me in the suitable middle ground of North Carolina. Despite the fact that my entire immediate family tried to talk me into going to school in CT or on Long Island, they eventually accepted that it was my decision. Plus, those two particular schools ended up being absolutely unaffordable in spite of scholarship offers.
My university is 500 miles away from my hometown, about a 9-hour drive or a combined 2-hour connecting flight. I was always elated to have been able to choose this school. Much, much better weather down here than up there. I’ve been blessed with meeting truly amazing and humble people whose paths I certainly would never have crossed, existences I would never have been aware of otherwise. I’ve been forced to grow, and my beliefs have been challenged, stretched, and even slightly altered in some cases. I’ve met engaging professors who have made a huge impact on me. And I was recently accepted to be one of the peer mentors for next fall’s incoming freshman class.
Almost a year later, I can confidently say that not only did I make the right choice, but I wouldn’t be happy anywhere else. God has led me down the right path, and I am so grateful to Him for that. 
they weren’t concerned about hurricanes? jk
the UNC system has something for everybody, including OOS students – and it seems NJ students in particular. there are always tons of NJ license plates here when school is in session.
@Wien2NC very true. Lots of New Jerseyans move to North Carolina, and it’s not necessarily the retirees either. Although Marylanders are probably more common at my school than New Jerseyans are.