College living/dorm vs apartment vs living with parents

[monkeywantsabanana]

Hello all

WHO HERE LIVES IN THE COLLEGE?

I know Melbourne has a few - Trinity, Ormond, Queens... not sure if Monash has them... What would be better? Living in your own apartment or within the university?

Living with parents? Thoughts?

[paulsterio]

Living with parents has its ideals, support, low costs, your parents can help you out with stuff, they might cook for you...etc.

Living in a College is next best to living at home, good if you're from interstate, but it's really expensive.

Living in an apartment is alright, but only if you're organised enough to be able to get everything done!

[Mech]

Going to be moving to a college at UoM on Sunday. Ask me then. But, what I can tell you is that people cooking for you and not having to worry about travelling seems pretty damn good to me.

[paulsterio]

Travelling isn't too bad!

I don't mind my 20 minute bus ride to Monash and back, just some time to listen to music and stuff. When I get my P's I guess it'll be a nice drive to and back as well

But yeah, if you life an hour or more away from uni, maybe a college is a good option

[Hodgeyhodgey]

Moving into a share house near uni tomorrow, get back to me then

[monkeywantsabanana]

GOOD LUCK ALL!

College seems more social and you develop tighter friend groups where as living in an apartment off campus won't have this advantage... Does anyone know if there apartments on-campus?

I just don't like the idea to sharing a bathroom with 20+ people... Haven't been there, haven't done that but the thought is just a tad repulsive. Are they pet friendly? :-S ... I'd like a dog

[Menang]

Generally, colleges aren't pet friendly.

I'd say that living at home would be most convenient (for both price and comfort) especially if you live near the university.

Living at college is good fun, very social, and a nice chance to branch out. Depending on which college, you might have to cook for yourself. You'll definitely have to clean your own room (a very small space) and do your laundry. If you haven't got much experience with cooking and cleaning, living in college is a great stepping stone to get a feel for what it's like to have to do that on a daily basis.

Living in college will also provide a massive support system; most residential colleges will provide things like academic support and pastoral care, as well as loads of social activities. You'll likely have something like an in-house library so it's a good additional resource as well.

I don't know much about getting an apartment, but it seems like an extreme version of living in college in terms of responsibility. You'll have to take care of things like gas, electricity, and water bills as well as clean a bigger space. The rent will likely be the same, if not higher, than living at college as well. But, if you're up for it, the independence sounds really great.

[JSB]

I think it is up to what each individual is most comfortable with. I went to a boarding school for a while which I imagine would be quite similar to a college environment and felt socially overloaded, but then again I had plenty of friends who loved it. Someone else cooking for me and living at school were actually negative points - I wanted to be able to cook for myself and choose what I ate, and once I finished classes I wanted to be able to leave and go back to my own home - separate from schooling life. I also am not a fan of the extras that sometimes come with colleges; the dinners and functions, the extra pastoral support the extra social activities etc.. without trying to offend are like unnecessary bs that I don't need and that may prevent me from doing things that I actually want to do. Although I'm sure there are different colleges that don't involve a lot of these extras too, and of course this is just my own opinion  On the other hand I have friends who are coming out of boarding school and straight into colleges, so clearly it does suit some people.

Personally, even though I love my parents in regards to staying or moving out there was no question that it was going to be the latter for me. 
I've been sharing an apartment for a month now and definitely have no regrets (lets hop it stays that way). I do have to have a part time job to support myself though, and without the youth allowance I receive I think it would be a bit difficult financially. I think once uni starts up and fingers crossed I make a few friends I'll have found a good balance between the academic, social and personal aspects of my life - so I guess you should choose the option that will allow you to find a good balance too.

[oliverk94]

I went to Queen College with the Year 12s last week, we stayed there for 2 days. I will tell you, that it was a really good experience for me, the rooms were very comfortable (my one had a great view), didn't have a problem using the bathroom/showers and the food was excellent. I really enjoyed my stay at Queen's College, but you should check out the other colleges also.. al though the fact that it is facing a cemetery did freak some of the Year 12s.. one guy actually thought the place was haunted.. lol. But I'd research all the different colleges and compare the prices, accomodation, distance, etc. to see which one is best for you.

Good luck!

[monkeywantsabanana]

Thanks all for the input

Moving into a share house near uni tomorrow, get back to me then

How is it? Is this like college? Or is it just a shared house?

Going to be moving to a college at UoM on Sunday. Ask me then. But, what I can tell you is that people cooking for you and not having to worry about travelling seems pretty damn good to me.

MECH! Get back to this thread tomorrow please

[burbs]

living at college means you have much more freedom. Massive plus.

[monkeywantsabanana]

living at college means you have much more freedom. Massive plus.

I would have thought it would be the other way around. Unless you're comparing it to living to parents. I would have thought that apartments generally gives you more freedom?

[burbs]

yep vs. parents

[EvangelionZeta]

I much much prefer living by myself.  I'm in something which resembles a hybrid between a college and an apartment - there are social events, and the entire apartment block is students, although at the same time, there isn't a ridiculously strong community feel ala college (although there is still some community).

Living by yourself makes you independent: you are in control, and you are the one looking after yourself, in every sense.  It can be tiring sometimes, but with all this comes a sense of empowerment that I wouldn't trade the world for. 

[Hodgeyhodgey]

Thanks all for the input

Moving into a share house near uni tomorrow, get back to me then

How is it? Is this like college? Or is it just a shared house?

Sorry I didn't get back to this straight away, moving out has been hectic.

Currently I live in a 7-room share house and I can tell you that it's pretty freaking awesome. Yes, there are lots of responsibilities because one day you go from having your parents there to support you but suddenly you're forced to do all of your grocery shopping for yourself and cooking and cleaning, etc. It's definitely not as social as living at college would be, because my housemates tend to keep to themselves (so sometimes it's like having a gigantic house all to yourself!) but don't get me wrong, you can still become great friends with the people you live with.

So all in all, I'm very happy with where I am. I still have nice people to live with, I'm close to uni and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than on-campus accommodation but the drawback is that the household is not as social as a college, but being close to uni means that I can still attend uni events.