When you think of the typical college experience, you usually picture yourself pulling all-nighters in the library, going to a party or two, eating in the dining hall for pretty much every meal, and sharing a shoebox sized dorm room with someone you’ve never met before. For some people, living on campus is a lot of fun and they enjoy it. For others, whether it is because of cost or just the fact that living on campus isn’t the right fit for them, commuting is the better option.

When you commute instead of living on campus, you kind of lose the community aspect that living in a dorm provided. When you commute, you have to try a little harder to be involved because you aren’t on campus pretty much 24/7. Living on campus meant that you had at least the other people in your hall to hang out with and go to lunch with, but when you live off campus it’s kind of up to you. Living on a hall meant you had your own little community and you felt involved just because you ate, slept, and went to school in the same area.

Commuting also means it’s up to you to provide your own food. When you live on campus you can always just go to the dining hall for dinner. Even though the food might not have been that great, you were always guaranteed a meal. When you live on your own, though, it’s up to you to plan your meals and try not to go broke eating out every day.

Commuting can mean that you have to work on your budgeting skills. When you live on campus, you pay for everything up front and throughout the semester you don’t have to worry about paying bills and budgeting for groceries and gas as well. It’s harder than it seems. Living off campus can be cheaper though because you aren’t paying for a $2,000 meal plan on top of your $3,000 dorm room. You just have to worry about your portion of rent and whatever food you actually eat. Most of the time the food you buy and make for yourself is better than what you would find in the dining hall anyway.

Commuting also means that you have more freedom. There is no RA telling you to quiet down or to be in by a certain time. It means you can have friends over without checking them in at the front desk and you can cook in your pajamas without having to go to the community kitchens.

Overall, commuting isn’t a bad thing. Sure paying your own bills and driving rather than walking to school can sometimes be a hassle, and having to work a little harder to feel the community aspect may not be what you were expecting, but in the end, living off campus is a good stepping stone to growing up. Living on campus isn’t for everyone. Sharing a living space is difficult, especially when you don’t have a space to call your own.