Where Will You Move to When College Starts?
As a student moving in Miami, or any other college town in Florida, you have a lot to consider when choosing your living arrangements. Each student’s circumstance is different, which will impact your choice in accommodations. Before jumping into any one type of living arrangement, all college students need to consider the following:
On Campus Living – Most freshman whose parents don’t live nearby end up living in a campus dorm. This is great, especially if you have a housing scholarship, but there are some obvious drawbacks. Rooms are not large, bathrooms are shared, and you have a roommate (that you may or may not know) to contend with. Plus, you are sequestered with dozens of other college students, so the noise level is not going to be ideal for studying.
Living Alone Off Campus – There are numerous neighborhoods in Miami that cater to university students by offering apartment and housing rental options. If you have the means to live in an apartment alone, be prepared to spend some money upfront. Depending on the situation you may need to move your stuff into the apartment, while others will come already furnished. Even then, you will still have your personal belongings to bring along.
This is not a good option if you are not ready to take on the responsibility of paying bills and keeping house by yourself. Living alone during college may seem like a good idea, but only consider this if you are ready to be completely independent and still keep up with your studies.
Living Off Campus With Roommates – The happy medium is renting a house for a small group of your university friends or classmates. You have more space and privacy this way, but you also get company to share the responsibility with. To ensure the best experience for off campus living, make sure that you choose roommates that have the same goals and values as you do.
Moving into a Miami home for rent involves more work than a furnished apartment. You and your friends may need to scour thrift stores or hit up your relatives in order to find furniture for the common living spaces. If the house is large and there is a lot to move between your group, a local moving company can help you get everything inside at a budget friendly price.
If you do choose this option, make sure that the arrangements for bill paying and other expenses are clearly defined before you move in. From paying local movers to the monthly electric bill, you have to have a plan for collecting the money amongst the roommates, and ensuring these bills get paid. If you are not able to come to an agreement about paying for joint expenses, than this is not a good option for you.
It is likely that you will explore various options in living arrangements during your college years. This is an important stepping stone in the road to adulthood, make the most of it by choosing a situation that allows you to enjoy your time at school, yet teaches you how to get along in the real world once your degree is earned.
