January 23, 2026 by

College is full of many firsts, a lot of them living-related: College was my first time living away from home for months at a time, my first time having a roommate who wasn’t a sibling or a cousin, and my first time getting groceries for myself. It was all very new and exciting and, while it took some time, I became used to the dorm life and really appreciated the community that comes with it.  

So far in my college career, I have only lived in a dorm. However, I have plenty of friends who also experienced their first house or apartment during their time at college who have loved that experience.  

Where you decide to live during your time at college is subjective, with some people preferring one option or the other. But if you find yourself unsure which you would prefer, here are a few points to think about! From there, you can make your own choice in your upperclassman years. 

Pro #1: The Total Cost May Be Cheaper 

It all depends on where you decide to live. For example, if you were hoping to find a cheap mansion just down the street from your most frequented academic building, youmay not be in luck. But a modest apartment or a small house a short drive away? Your chances will probably look better there. 

My roommate, Chloe, and I almost considered living in a house this semester (though we ultimately decided to stay in Maddox), and cost was a great concern of ours. The housewe were looking at was small and would have been split between four people, amounting to about $400 with utilities: a fair price for a house that was right across the street from campus. 

The price seemed right, especially considering Chloe and I were guaranteed to each have our own room if we moved in, but there was another issue that we couldn’t quite get around. 

Con #1: You Need To Make a Monthly Payment 

Unlike on-campus housing, you can’t just pay your rent upfront with loans and scholarships and be on your merry way for the rest of the school year. Living in a house meant we would have to be able to supply that monthly $400 straight from our bank accounts. I was hesitant since I didn’t have a job at the time, so it became one of the deal-breakers for our decision. 

However, it is not impossible for a student to make those monthly payments; it simply requires extra time and work. If you want to live off campus, then you may need to be prepared to take long shifts at The Commons or one of the coffee shops down the block.  

It can be busy, but it is also so worth it once you get that paycheck at the end of the week! It’s all a matter of whether you are able and willing to put that extra work in around your classes and social life. That apartment isn’t going to pay for itself, you know! 

Pro #2: You Get To Make Your Own Meals

This is one thing my roommate was really looking forward to if we decided to live in a house. She is a great cook, and it would have been nice to have control over what we had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

While the food on campus is perfectly fine, and eachoption sports a diverse menu for its students, it’s difficult to compare that to the food you made with your own love and care.  

Chloe herself is a wonderful cook and an even better baker. Personally, I love making my pasta al dente (just the way I like it), and I love to bake a fresh batch of cookies from time to time, but I still had my concerns. 

Con #2: You Have To Make Your Own Meals 

It all depends on what kind of chef you are. I am no chef at all, which is why the opportunity to cook turned into more of a chore than a luxury. All I really know how to cook is pasta, and the pastries I bake could only provide so much nutrition.  

Secondly, I didn’t know if I had the time to cook! Senior year is busy, and I have a tendency to spend too much time on my work and not enough time getting food. If I need encouragement to go out and get a meal from Chick-Fil-A, it would’ve been even harder to get up and make something for myself with my limited cooking skills. 

Of course, this is subjective. Many people, such as Chloe, thrive in the kitchen and are able to whip up absolute masterpieces in the midst of their busy schedules. I am just not one of tho

se people.  

Determining whether or not you like cooking every day is something you should consider before making a choice about off-campus housing. Cooking is a skill we must all learn at one point or another, but if you would rather learn to cook around other experienced cooks (i.e. Mom and Dad), you might as well take advantage of one of the meal plans Cedarville has to offer instead. 

Pro #3: Independence! 

Having your own place is thrilling! There is a joy to opening the door to a house that’s all yours: your kitchen, your bathroom, your washing machine and garage. I have experienced plenty of decorative freedoms in my dorm rooms, but my off-campus friends enjoy living somewhere without room checks, curfews, or a hundred other girls using the same washers and dryers. 

In the end, I decided that off-campus housing wasn’t my jam, but I know plenty of people who adore it. I have seen how they decorate their bedrooms, their kitchens, and their bathrooms. It is not just one small room they have freedom over, but a whole home. As scary as it is, there is a bit of excitement to it. Especially for older students, who can get very busy, not having curfew or room checks is a huge plus. 

Con #3: Paying for Decorations 

Some college students can have trouble furnishing an entire house. It depends on the house and landlords. Sometimes, houses come furnished with a couch, bedframe and mattress, fridge, and table — anything you might need. Other houses will be lacking in a couple of amenities, such as a couch or washing machine.  

The house Chloe were considering moving into was fully furnished, which added to the temptation, but I know of some houses that didn’t have a washing machine or dryer. These sorts of things are usually a group effort: Housemates collaborate together to bring something to the table … or, in some cases, to bring an actual table!  

Is Living Off-Campus Worth It? 

Living off campus isn’t for everyone (otherwise Cedarville wouldn’t have so many residence halls), but it certainly is wonderful for some students. While you will likely be on campus your freshman year, off-campus living is certainly something you should consider later in your Cedarville life.  

For your freshman year, enjoy where you are! I believe that the community is one of the strongest aspects at Cedarville, and I know I have done so much better socially, spiritually, and mentally spending my time at college close by my community. Invest in your dorm community, and you may just want to stay with them all four years! 

Think of this list as you’re weighing your options, and be sure to ask any students you know who are living off campus what their thoughts are to see if it’s the move for you! 

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