(The Beacon)
By Harry Blakeman, Staff Writer blakeman15@up.edu
Moving off campus seems inevitable for most juniors and seniors. They hear it is less expensive, but once they've unpacked, they may find unexpected costs.
While most off-campus students seem to be saving considerable money, they often find that there are hidden or unexpected costs. The savings may be worth it for most, but these costs and lifestyle changes can be hard to swallow.
Junior Gabe Trainer spends much less money off-campus than he did while in the dorms. Trainer says he spends about $450 per month on rent and utilities off campus, but estimates he spent closer to $500 when he lived in Kenna. While these savings aren't huge, Trainer says buying his own food is where he saves the most money.
"I only spent about $700 on food last semester, but on campus I would have been spending thousands," Trainer said.
There is no meal plan available for students who live off campus, and there is no on campus housing available without a meal plan. Trainer says he would like to live with the UP community, but the savings are preferable. Trainer says that the savings come at the cost of convenience.
"I really enjoy making my own food, but I know not everyone does," Trainer said.
Trainer said there are a lot of other costs he didn't expect when he moved off campus like kitchen supplies, his furniture and even his bed. To understand the savings, Trainer thinks students need to know all the hidden costs.
Trainer also likes living independently of the UP bubble and meeting new people.
"Now I'm a member of the City of Portland community, not just the campus community," Trainer said.
Sophomore Sean Galvin, who plans to move off campus in the fall, hopes he's aware of all the expenses and extra work. He's heard from his friends that living off campus is cheaper, and hopes the move will save him money and give him more freedom.
"Everyone I've talked to says that living off campus is cheaper, and that would be worth the extra effort," Galvin said.
Sophomore Caitlin Deutsch and junior Emily Perkins moved off campus for both the independence and the savings. To better understand the costs of living off campus, the pair requested the bills for their future residence to have a sense of their utilities. Deutsch said knowing what sort of utilities they would pay was key to knowing what to expect or not expect in terms of savings.
The two also wanted to live independently of the UP bubble without the Residence Life restrictions. By moving off campus, Deutsch said they have a lot more freedom to what they want, like having parties whenever they choose without worrying about dorm rules.
Perkins was surprised how much food costs off campus at first, but after keeping tabs last term she thinks she saved about $2,000 last semester.
Perkins was also conscious of utilities savings. Perkins said she makes sure to turn off the lights or TV when she leaves the room, something that didn't matter so much on campus.
"It's the little things like lights or even laundry soap that you don't think about," Perkins said.
Deutsch also likes to make her own food and is mindful of what she eats.
"Having to make your own food makes you conscious of what you're eating and how many calories are in what," Deutsch said.
CAMPUS COSTS
Cost of dorm room:
Total: $7290
Per month: $911
Cost of meals:
Total: $2750
Per month: $343
Room+Board:
Total: $10,040
Per month: $1,255
