"After spending a few years living in dorms, many would agree that it is time to move off campus and experience the ultimate sense of freedom that most college students yearn for. For Binghamton University students, it is very common to live on campus for two years and then move off for junior and senior year. Featuring a wide variety of living options, there is a large selection of houses and apartments in Downtown Binghamton, as well as apartments in University Plaza. Although moving from dormitory-style living to your own house can be quite an adjustment, there are plenty of great reasons to make the move.
Peace out, Sodexo
Perhaps one of the greatest perks about living off campus is the ability to cook your own food. While living in the dorms, it is a daily ritual to visit the dining hall and walk out hungry, shuddering at the thought of having to yet again consume a mass-produced and tasteless meal. Living off campus enables students to shop for their favorite foods and cook their own healthy and delicious meals. If cooking is not your area of expertise, then make sure to get some lessons from Mom or Dad over summer break if you want to avoid ordering in every meal.
Emily Fish, a sophomore majoring in sociology who is moving off campus next year, is thrilled about the prospect of having access to her own kitchen.
'I'm a vegetarian, so it is extremely hard to eat satisfying meals on campus,' Fish said. 'I love to cook and can't wait to look for recipes to make in my own kitchen next year.'
No roommate
Say goodbye to getting sexiled and hello to your own personal space. Although not everyone is so lucky, moving off campus can provide many with the opportunity to have a single bedroom that typically is much larger than a shared dorm room. Simple luxuries, such as being able to play music at full blast, having guests stay over and choosing TV shows, suddenly become a reality once again.
Not only has personal space resurfaced, but physical space has, as well. A bed larger than an extra-long twin and unlimited room for clothes mean that it is finally a possibility to bring more stuff from home.
'Since the dorm closets are so small I only have half of my wardrobe at school,' Lauren Lomnicki, a sophomore majoring in biology, said. 'When I have a larger closet next year, I'll finally be able to bring up all of my clothes.'
RA, no way.
No parents, no resident assistant, no problem. Although living in a dorm allows for much more freedom than living under your parents' roof, there's still that pesky RA who lives down the hall and calls the shots. No longer having to worry about breaking dormitory rules, living off campus finally provides college students with the opportunity to engage in any activity they wish ' none that break the law of course ' without having to worry about facing consequences. And forget about adhering to fire hazard rules. Once you are away from the dorms, feel free to fill your room with all the candles and halogen lamps that your heart desires.
Although moving out of the dorms provides college students with a greater sense of independence and freedom, it may not be all that it's cracked up to be. Many will greatly miss being able to wake up 10 minutes before class, throw on some clothes and run out the door. Instead, the 15-minute drive from Downtown to campus and the limited parking situation will force off-campus students to wake up much earlier than desired. The convenience of a dining hall will also be missed when you pour a bowl of cereal and realize that you've run out of milk, again.
A dormitory environment is also much more conducive to making friends. Living in a building with hundreds of guys and girls makes it easy to meet people to whom you normally wouldn't be exposed.
Samantha Dellova, a sophomore majoring in political science, feels similarly.
'I'm going to miss having the opportunity to be able to step out of my room and have a conversation with someone I've never met before. I'll really miss the spontaneity of the dorms,' Dellova said."
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