Residence, Off Campus or Home Sweet Home?

Pros of Living in Residence 

• Shared experience: Everyone around you is in a similar stage of life (and maybe even taking the same courses or part of the same clubs!). But now you also share the normalcy of daily routines – eating, sleeping, cleaning, running errands, relaxing, studyi - there’s always someone on your floor or in your building that you can hang out with.
• An automatic social calendar: Your dons will make sure there is always another event to look forward to in res, whether it’s a movie/game night, a cooking class or an afternoon exploring the city. Introverts, don’t worry – res is for you, too. It’s totally up to you which events you attend and, if you choose to live in apartment-style housing, you’ll always have your own personal space to relax and recharge.
• Less food prep: Living in residence in Waterloo also means buying a meal plan that will cover the majority of your meals – cooked fresh and available all throughout the day. You’ll be able to focus on your courses and volunteer positions by getting rid of the hassle of grocery shopping and cooking. If you live in residence in Brantford, you have the option of buying a meal plan.
• Close to class: Living on-campus means no car and no commute. Get up, get dressed, brush your teeth, maybe grab a snack for your morning, and off you go – you could be in class in less than 10 minutes!

Pros of Living Off-Campus 

• Independence: If you thought res was an exercise in independence, renting your own place off-campus is going to feel like the ultimate freedom. Set your own schedule, prepare your own food, arrange your own transportation and arrange your own social life – all the responsibility and rewards of living on your own.
• Choice of housing style: Living off-campus gives you options: do you want to live in an apartment? A townhouse? A detached home? Privately owned dorm-style student housing? The choice is yours.
• Choice of roommate(s): Off-campus housing means that who and how many people you want to live with is completely up to you. Do you already have a friend (or a few) you want to rent with? Are you hoping to make new friends through this process? Or are you looking for somewhere you can live on your own?
• Consistency: If you find a good place and/or a good set of roommates in first year, there’s often the option of maintaining your arrangement for another one, two or three years. Your new place could be home for your whole university experience allowing you to settle in and establish a reliable dynamic with your housemates.

Pros of Living at Home

• Familiarity and comfort: “Home sweet home” says it best. With so much change, there is something reassuring about coming home to a place you know well.
• Proximity to loved ones: Whether you’re living with your parents, a family friend or a relative who is closer to campus, you’ll always be just a short drive or bus ride back home to debrief about all the exciting things you’ve learned and experienced. Plus, it’ll make celebrating birthdays, holidays and accomplishments together so much easier.
• Cost savings: Even if you do pay rent, it’s likely less than you would pay elsewhere. And hey, if meals are thrown in too, that’s even more to be grateful for (and a few thousand dollars saved – so don’t forget those “thank you’s” and a smile during dish duty).
• Maintain your lifestyle: If you already have a part-time job, a sports league or a volunteer position you’re invested in, living at home can make maintaining those relationships and responsibilities much easier. Whether they are funding your education, building up your resume or helping your mental health, it’s meaningful to stay connected to familiar networks.

We're Here to Support You, Whatever You Choose.

Where you live needs to support the lifestyle you want to create or continue during your time at university. Whatever you decide, we’re here to support you. If you choose to live at home or off campus, connect with our LOCUS Instagram community. If residence is your first choice, follow us to get the information you need to know.

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