Living in the dorms has plenty of fun moments. Roommates can be great, and not having to worry about electricity bills and rent is a perk. But the convenience of having free maintenance still doesn't add up to living off campus.

You have more freedom to do as you want.

You want to cook yourself meals? Have at it. Drink a beer on your couch? You totally can. You want to play music all night? Your neighbors might not like you, but the RA won't be busting down your door. You can lounge in your pajamas all day and nobody (but your roommates) will ever know.

You can have pets.

Whether it's adopting a kitten or bringing your childhood dog to your rental house, you can finally be united with your animals.

You no longer have to share a room 24/7.

While dorm roommates are fun and having someone around all the time makes for great memories, it also can be frustrating to never have your own space. Almost nobody shares rooms in off campus housing, so even if you hate your roommates you can still have peace.

Housing periods are longer.

In off campus housing, you're usually granted an entire 12 months to live somewhere. So if you want to stay over Christmas or work in the summers, you have the option.

It's a homier setting.

It sounds mushy, but it's true. Apartments and houses just feel more like home, and it's more relaxing to be in one. No harsh fluorescent lighting and shared bathroom for me, please.

While I miss the meal plans, having my friends only a few steps away, and the closeness to classes, I still wouldn't give up living off campus. I never regretted moving into an apartment after my freshman year. Plus, the parking is way more convenient.