Living On Campus: Pros and Cons

Not sure if you want to live in residence or off-campus? Check out these pros and cons to help you decide!

So, you’re preparing for your first year of post-secondary but you’re not sure if you want to live in residence or off-campus? Good thing we weighed the pros and cons for you! Here’s a list of things to consider before making any decisions.

A whole new world

Moving away from home can be overwhelming and sticking to what you know can offer some peace of mind. If you’re staying in residence, you’ll know the campus like the back of your hand by the end of your second week. This means you’ll know how long it takes you to walk to class, grab food, get in a good workout, or sleep in.

On the other hand, living off-campus means you get to explore a whole new neighbourhood. Ottawa has so many great neighbourhoods and location is a really important factor, too. You could choose to live close to Algonquin so you can walk or bike to class. Or live closer to the action in downtown. Living in uncharted territory is an adventure!

Make meaningful connections

Living in residence means you’ll have an opportunity to meet a lot of new friends. Not sure about being assigned a roommate? Don’t sweat it. AC Residence staff tries to pair up like-minded students so everyone gets along swimmingly. With people just like you as your neighbours, it’ll be easy to make friends! Not to mention there are tons of events and activities happening on school grounds throughout the year too.

Life off-campus empowers you to choose who you let into your space and when. Living off-campus could mean moving in with a roommate or two which could be a fun adventure all on its own! Meet your future best friend or move in with your already tight-knit friend group. With roommates, you may even be able to rent a house together and get more living space for similar (or even cheaper) price. Algonquin’s Students’ Association is a great source to search for student housing in the area.

Planning on living on your own? Life off-campus might be a better option for you if you prefer a quieter atmosphere and enjoy your own company. You’ll get all the alone time your heart desires and clothing is optional.

Bills, bills, bills

Working with landlords can be a bit stressful but, with residence, you won’t have to worry about that. You only pay for your room from September to April so you won’t be locked into a 12-month lease — but if you’re here for a 12-month program, you have the option to stay through the summer too. There’s also no need to think about heat or hydro or internet.

Living off-campus comes with a host of responsibilities but don’t fret. This is a great opportunity to learn how to stick to your budget, track your own expenses, and manage your time between work and school. This experience will help you figure out how to live comfortably while also considering the cost of rent, heating, hydro, laundry, phone, internet, and food. As for transportation, full-time Ottawa campus students ride unlimited on all city public transit with their U-Pass. Keeping tabs on all your incoming and outgoing funds is a huge responsibility but once you’ve got it down, you’re set for life. You’ll be all the wiser with this option.

Think about it

Don’t flip a coin to know what your next step is. Making an informed decision is key in any circumstance. Once you have an idea of where you want to live, schedule some appointments with residence or landlords and make a road trip to see the places in person! Bring your parents or a friend so they can check out the spaces with you — it’s always great to have a second set of eyes. We know it’s a hard decision to make but just know that, regardless of where you end up living, you’re going to be just fine. You’re about to embark on a new adventure, so get ready to explore!

Considering coming to Algonquin College? Explore our programs, campus, and take a tour.