Dorm life has its benefits, but it is not for everyone. If you are unwilling to shell out thousands of dollars for a crowded
dorm room and subpar dining, then the commuter life is right for you… maybe.
Choosing the Commuter Life: Pros and Cons
Finances and Saving Money
Many college students struggle to pay for college, let alone basic needs. So, does living off campus promise less expense? Not always! Examine your unique situation.
How much does it cost to live in your college’s dorm? What
financial aid is available to you? What state do you live in, and what are the rent prices like? Can you rent an apartment with friends to split the bill? Will your grocery bill cost more than a dining plan? Do you have easy access to a bus or trolley?
However, if you plan to live with family—without needing to pay rent (or with a heavily discounted rent amount)—then you will save money, guaranteed!
Living Alone, Living with Others
Are you an introvert? Do you need your own space? Then commuting might be for you.
An article by the education solutions group
Sallie Mae shares that, sometimes, dorm-life can mean having roommates that do not get along with you, and it can also mean
no personal space to quietly study. Depending on how you live as a commuter, living off campus can give you the opportunity to have your own private living space.
If you decide to live at home as a commuter, living around family can either be a “pro” or “con.” Everyone’s situation is different. Some may be excited to stay with their parents and siblings while others may not. The same can be said about living with friends in an off-campus apartment. Take this into account when choosing where to live.
Finally, recognize that finding and
keeping college friends is harder when you live off campus. You are not on campus 24/7, and you will most likely skip out on more school events compared to your dorm-living peers. But if you do decide to commute, scroll down to the next section to see tips on how to meet people as a commuter!
The Commute
The foundation of commuter life is in the name—the commute. This is generally considered a con: who wants to drive an hour through traffic? Or who wants to wait forever for the bus or trolley to pick them up?
But the commute ultimately depends on your situation: how far is the college, what method of transportation will you use, and if you decide to drive, how much do you enjoy (or hate) driving?
For example, maybe you are not driving an hour and a half through Downtown LA but are instead driving fifteen minutes down a beautiful coastal route. Driving can also be a time to
listen to music and podcasts or simply give your mind time to breathe.
Discover what your commute situation would look like and decide from there!
GPA and Grades
Before moving forward, I want to mention that many sources, such as this
University of Oregon report, state that students who live off-campus are more likely to have lower grades. This is important to explore further.
But as a commuter myself, I have a high GPA (above 3.5), and my closest college friends (also commuters) have high GPAs too. Commuting and high grades can be achieved.
If you do decide to commute, make sure to find people (students, professors, tutors, etc.) who will encourage you to work hard and succeed. Also, try to minimize your commute so you have enough time to study and enjoy college life.
Commuting Tips
Meeting People, Making Friends
Different colleges offer spaces and events for commuters. My school offered a “Welcome Week” specifically for commuters, and I met a lot of students there! My university also offers free breakfast for commuters every month or so. Take advantage of commuter centers like
San Diego State University’s “Center for Commuter Life."
Meanwhile, go and meet people in your classes, clubs, sports events, or other college events. Be open to breaking out of your shell (especially if you are an introverted type), and say “hello”!
Choosing Where to Live
Choosing where to live as a commuter involves two main factors: apartment/home costs and neighborhood safety. Again, both of these pertain to your specific situation.
One sad truth about off-campus living is that houses and apartments are often costly. To figure out if you can afford to rent a place,
Whitney Coy from Realtor.com says, “to make sure your rent is no more than 30% of your net income.”
On top of rent, utilities and other bills can easily add up, so when you look for a place to live, make sure you know which utilities are covered and
calculate any other costs.
Another sad truth about college living is that some neighborhoods are not as safe as others. Coy encourages students to first do research on how safe their prospective neighborhood is. One way you can do this is by checking a crime data website such as
CrimeMapping.com.
Gas Prices and Saving Money
If you do not use an electric vehicle or public transport, commuter life will require gasoline and the high prices that come with it. To save money, you can take advantage of cheaper gas stations like
Costco’s.
You can also minimize your time on the road by driving to school before rush hour (like leaving for school early or choosing class times that avoid rush hour). Check out this
Reader’s Digest article for more tips on saving money on gas.
The Commuter Life: Final Thoughts
As a commuter, I recognize that driving to school every day has its pros and cons. Hopefully this article provides a starting point for deciding whether commuter life is right for you.
Or, if you have already decided to commute to school, hopefully this piece provides insight into how you can navigate some of the key challenges that come with that choice.