9 Key Things to Consider Before Moving from a Dorm to Your Own Place

Is it Worth Moving from Your Dorm to Your Own Place? Nine Things to Consider

If you’re still in the middle of your studies and find yourself wanting to move out of your dorm, there are some things to consider, such as cost, moving expenses, and finding the ideal place. In some circumstances, this is not always a wise decision. Even though the grass may look greener compared to dorm life, there are certain benefits to staying in your dorm. Consider these 7 points before making your decision. 

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The Benefits of Owning Your Own Home

Leaving your dorm and finding your own place does have its benefits. One or more of the following may be good reasons for you to make this jump, and it’s understandable if they are contributing to your motivation. Can you identify with any of the following?

• More privacy
• Taking that first step toward independence
• More choice in what you eat, do, and who you interact with
• The opportunity to learn about rent and living costs

These are all great reasons to leave your dorm and explore the world of renting or owning your own place. But remember that with these freedoms come a number of responsibilities. So, let’s explore some of them.

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Giving Up Dorm Perks that Are Often Free

When it comes to living on campus vs off campus, your dorm probably comes with a bunch of perks that are currently free. Free WiFi, free medical benefits, a free library of information, and living within close proximity of your professors and fellow students. Having access to these perks will fall away if you move to your own place, so make sure you’ve budgeted for things like internet access, insurance, healthcare insurance, and other important amenities. 

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Giving Up Free Dorm Perks

Your dorm probably comes with a bunch of perks you take for granted. Free WiFi, medical benefits, a library of information, and living within close proximity of your professors and fellow students. Having access to these perks will fall away if you move to your own place, so make sure you’ve budgeted for things like internet access, insurance, healthcare insurance, and other important amenities. 

Loss of Social Interaction

You may think that solitude is exactly what you need to focus on your studies, but this can often lead to instant loneliness, which many students struggle to cope with. To a degree, you’ll be out of touch with your peers, and this may frustrate your efforts to collaborate with fellow students on projects, social news, and dating within your campus. 

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Cleaning and Food Preparation Duties

You’ll have to take on additional responsibilities when living on your own (or even with a roommate). These include shopping for groceries, cooking your own food, and cleaning your apartment regularly. Dorms offer convenient perks like meal plans and basic janitorial housekeeping services at a low subsidized cost. These duties will now fall on you, so make sure you’re ready for them. 

Transport Concerns

Walking to class and lectures is a major convenience of living on campus. If you decide to move to your own place, remember that you will now have to pay for transport back to campus on a regular basis. Whether you choose to use one of the many public transport options available to you or buy your own car, commuting costs money in the form of gas, bus fares, etc. Budget for these if you haven’t already.

Safety Concerns

There’s a fair amount of dorm security which you’ll be giving up if you move to your own apartment. If you are determined to move, remember to choose an apartment within an area that is safe from intruders. 

The Discipline of Studying

Since dorms often provide quiet areas where you can study, it takes a fair amount of discipline to study from your home. Many people find it difficult to avoid distractions at home, such as making a cult of coffee, having breakfast, and staying off technology to study. Practice self-discipline by studying within your dorm room and see if this kind of discipline is something you can actually achieve. 

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Correct Budgeting for Basic Amenities

Budgeting for all of the above is a skill worth learning. If you’re not in the habit of budgeting for your general lifestyle, now’s a good time to start. This important skill will set you up for success in life and give you the experience you need to expand your budget once you enter the workforce. 

From Door to Storage, We’ve Got You—Experience the Easiest Move Ever!

Wrapping Up

There are many benefits to moving out of your dorm and into your own place, as this gives you the opportunity to learn responsibility and train for adult life. But not being prepared for the expenses that are coming can leave you in a difficult situation of breaking your lease or sacrificing amenities you’re used to. Think this through and make your decision based on practical steps you can take to further your independence. 

FAQs for Is it Worth Moving from Your Dorm to Your Own Place?

1. What are some of the major benefits of getting out of a dorm and into my own place?

Moving to your own place affords more privacy, independence, and freedom in choices over food, lifestyle, and managing your own space. It is your opportunity to learn about rent, budgeting, and personal responsibility, all of which are very key components of adult life.

2. What kind of dorm perks will I miss out on if I move out into an apartment?

Dorms commonly offer free perks such as WiFi, medical benefits, a library nearby, and access to professors and peers. Out of campus, you will have to budget for these amenities, as they are not included in off-campus living.

3. How do I prepare myself for new responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning in an apartment?

You would be responsible for grocery shopping and cooking when you stay off-campus. The resources and time for all that would not be included as they are part of living in a dorm, where you are given a meal plan and the services of janitorial staff. Therefore, you need to allow extra time and resources for such.

4. What would I be thinking about in terms of transportation if I live off-campus?

Leave the dorm and you’ll probably have to budget for daily trips to campus, whether public transport, by car, or even by bike.  Any of these factors add on time to your commute and so will influence your decision to make the move off-campus.

5. Where do you find a study space to keep your study habits going if you leave the dorm with quiet study spaces?

Rooms sometimes have study rooms, which would be a great place to concentrate on studies. You could be your own distraction by living in your own apartment so you might need a routine, quiet study room, and self-discipline to hold your activities together.