Is Living At University Worth The Money?

Question

Is it worth the $6,000 to live in a dorm or should I live at home for free but miss out on some experiences?

Answer 1

At my university, the cost for living in the dorm is around $10,000. To me, its not worth it to pay that amount when it is around 4K cheaper yearly for me to rent the townhouse I currently live in. Plus, with the townhouse, I have my own bathroom, a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms(could have a roommate if I choose to), a basement with washer and dryer(that I bought), and a decent sized backyard. I still have plenty of time to socialize but now, my pocket is a bit fuller if you know what I mean. Plus, it really is an upside that I get a break every so often from "college life" and can really study when necessary. I say just live at home. If you would rather get out of your house and be on your own a bit, I think if you can find something nearby to rent that will save you money in the long run, you should definitely go for it. You could even get a close friend to room with you and help divide some of the costs. If your school makes you pay for parking (and with rising gas costs) you may want to look into areas that have buses or invest in a bike.