Living On Campus vs. Renting Off Campus

On December 20, 2010

An overview of apartment living and housing options, including on campus dorms, downtown apartments, and off campus apartments.

Robert Hooper
Penn State University

If you’re looking for housing around campus, it’s going to be overwhelming. There are dozens of apartment complexes, there are dorms, there are private buildings; too many options to pick from! After this quick primer, you’ll definitely be able to figure out what you like best. For example, there are three major areas to live at Penn State University, and they all have their own pros and cons. You can live on campus, in downtown State College, or a bit further out off campus, and any of those options can turn out to be great.

On Campus: The College Experience

Living on campus at Penn State is the experience of a lifetime. If you’re looking for that classic college experience, on-campus housing is for you. As Nick Anderson (Class of 2012 at Penn State) said, “Dorm life is pretty much like you see it in the movies, crazy and great.” You’ve got everything you need at your fingertips when you live in the dorms, but it comes at a price. You can wake up and walk to class in a few minutes every morning, but you’ve got to take a shower in a bathroom with a bunch of new friends, and don’t get much privacy in your shared bedroom. Dorm living can be pretty expensive, too. From the dining hall meal plans (added on to your Room & Board bill) to the dorm rent itself, you’ll rack up a pretty hefty bill.

Downtown: Party Central

For those of you who want the benefits of living on campus with a bit more personal space, downtown apartments are where it’s at! There are plenty of high-rises and complexes to choose from, all in the few blocks that make up downtown State College. Love partying? Check out places near “Beaver Canyon” — that’s where it gets crazy and fun! With downtown apartments, you’re close to campus, close to bars, stores and restaurants, and get a bit more space than the dorms. Private bedrooms in a shared apartment with a few friends can be great. There are plenty of private apartments available too, like some great spaces above the shops along College Ave.; they can just be harder to find. As a word of warning, downtown apartments get leased FAST! You’ll end up seeing students lined up around the block from leasing offices waiting to get their hands on a first-come-first-served apartment, so do your homework and move quickly.

Off Campus: Space & Luxuries

A few steps (or miles) outside of the downtown area, you can find plenty of space, and spaces, to live in. Off-campus apartments are larger, less expensive, and more luxurious than most downtown. It’s pretty common to find an apartment with a pool, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court… anything you want, you’ll find! You can join Albert Chen (Class of 2011 at Penn State), at his luxury apartment: “Nothing beats getting home after class and walking a couple feet to the pool.” Typical apartments off campus are 2-, 3- or 4-bedroom, and you can find roommates on your own, or even let the complex match you up with roommates. I definitely recommend the apartments along Vairo Blvd.; they’re spacious, quiet, and even provide a free bus pass to get to campus and downtown!

All in all, there is an apartment for every style, so with some shopping around, you’ll find a perfect fit! My own experience in State College was in some off-campus apartment complexes, and it fit my style perfectly. Of course, it did help to have some friends who lived downtown, so I had a couch to crash on after late nights out! Whatever your style might be, there’s a place that will fit you best, it’s just up to you to find your dream home (at least for the next few years)! Good luck!

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