Your housing choice can have a major impact on your college experience. Making the right choice is much more important than many think. It can impact everything from making friends to how much time you get to study. There are a few factors you can consider to make your search and choice that much easier. If you are looking for tips for choosing your housing in your senior year, here are some of the best.  

Location

While the differences between on-campus and off-campus living will be discussed later, firstly, you need to decide where you are going to live. Having a car or not, where you study the most, and other factors like this will influence this decision. 

Whether it be UW student housing or an apartment next to campus, it is almost always best to choose an area that is either on campus or a short drive away, especially if you need to be close to your classes, on-campus job, or department buildings. 

Budget

Your budget is arguably one of the most important factors in deciding your housing situation. Depending on where you study, and the type of area your college is in, rent or housing costs can fluctuate quite a bit. However, many university areas have prices that are specifically for student budgets. 

It is also important to remember that if you have a car or your city has a reliable public transport system, you can look for a more economical place, as you aren’t restricted to a certain area. Some cities also have reasonably priced apartment buildings that are away from campus but designed for students and their needs. 

By yourself or with friends?

Something that can help with your budget is deciding if you are going to live by yourself or with friends. If student housing isn’t an option, sharing accommodation is one of the best ways to get a beautiful place without breaking the bank. This is also a great way to make lasting friendships through everyday living with others. 

Off-campus vs. on-campus

Another big decision you will need to make is whether you will be living on or off campus. Either option can work for you, depending on your criteria. 

With off-campus living, you will have much more privacy and more housing options. You also get to choose your roommate. With on-campus living, your roommate will more than likely be chosen for you. 

Conversely, with on-campus accommodation, you have easier access to your classes, library, and study halls. You also have access to common areas such as a gym, lounge, or something similar. Financial aid could cover this option if you don’t have the budget to live elsewhere. 

Visit each option

Much like with any new house, dorm, or apartment, it is important to visit first so you know and understand the living situation you are moving into. You can see what is available. For example, if the area is popular with other students or not, the nearby facilities like gyms and grocery stores are like, and so forth. 

Appliances and extras

Choosing to live off-campus has its challenges. You will need to do your research into what the house or apartment offers when it comes to appliances and extras. If you are moving into your own place for the first time, you are unlikely to own things like a microwave, fridge, and couch. 

While it can be a bit tricky finding a fully furnished house or apartment in your budget. At the very least, look for somewhere that has some of the more expensive appliances included, like a washing machine and fridge. This way, you save money. 

Type of accommodation

When looking for housing, you will come across multiple types to choose from. You can live in a house, apartment, house-share, dormitory, fraternity or sorority, and family-style housing for married couples. 

Once again, each of these has its pros and cons. These options may be available to you where you study. Research is your friend! 

Roommate fit

One of the sticking points many students face is finding a roommate. If you aren't living with a friend or partner, you will need a roommate with whom to share the costs of your apartment or house. 

When finding someone to live with, there are a few questions you should ask. It is important to find someone that meshes well with your lifestyle.  

Some aspects to consider are things like their schedule’s similarity to yours and whether they take studying as seriously as you do (as this will indicate how much socializing happens in your residence, for example). The ideal situation would be moving in with someone studying the same thing as you or studying something in the same field. 

Hopefully, you can use these tips to make a clear and smart decision about your housing, be financially stable, and set yourself up for your future after college.