For college students, one big decision each year is where to live: on campus or off? While dorm living comes with proximity to classes and a built-in social scene, many students are finding the benefits of off-campus living hard to beat.
Is living off campus for you? Here are eight compelling reasons to make the move—and how to set up your space the smart way.
Dorm rooms are famously tiny. Off-campus living gives you more room to breathe, study, and relax—often with your own bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. No more waiting in line for a shared shower or squeezing your things into a shared closet.
Having your own space allows you to create a home that reflects your style and routine. Whether you’re decorating a cozy reading corner or setting up a snack-stocked kitchen, off-campus living makes it yours.
Choosing off-campus housing means living life on your own terms—but it also means stepping up your adulting game. You’ll enjoy the power and independence of living on your own without an RA in sight, but you’ll also manage rent, utilities, chores, and communication with landlords or service providers. It’s a learning curve, but it’s a valuable one. You’ll develop life skills like:
Once settled, you can set your own rules or agree on house rules with your friends or roommate. One of the greatest student lifestyle tips when opting for college apartment living is to ensure you’re ready for this new responsibility. Being out on your own can be exciting, but it’s important to be prepared.
Off-campus apartments often come with amenities that college dorms just can’t offer—think swimming pools, fitness centers, in-unit laundry, and more. These features can make daily life more convenient and enjoyable.
Imagine having access to a gym for early-morning workouts or a pool to unwind on weekends. And let’s not forget the convenience of not having to haul your laundry across campus to find a washer. Off-campus living can offer all these things and more, elevating your overall experience and giving you the freedom to live in a space that feels like home, not just a dorm.
Say goodbye to cafeteria food and limited meal swipes. Whether you’re a master chef or just learning to boil water, the ability to choose your meals is a game-changer. With your own kitchen, you can prepare meals that suit your tastes and schedule. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or hosting friends for dinner, your kitchen becomes the heart of your home.
While some students still choose to keep their on-campus meal plans for the convenience, living off-campus means you’re not tied to the cafeteria schedule—no more mystery meat Mondays or running across campus before the dining hall closes. With off-campus living, the fridge is always open.
Forget curfews, mandatory quiet hours, and check-ins with your RA. Off-campus living gives you full control of your schedule and your space. Want to entertain friends, host a study session, play music while you clean, and come and go as you please? It’s your call. You’ll no longer be bound by campus regulations, and that means more control over your social life, study time, and downtime.
Having space that’s all your own makes it easier to enjoy a little “me” time. It also reduces distractions when you need to study or work on a big paper or project. After all, you don’t always want to head to the library or an on-campus study spot. You can set up your own space right at home.
Dorm parking can be a daily battle, with limited spots and costly permits. Many off-campus apartments offer designated parking or private lots, making life much easier for students with cars.
No more circling the lot or lugging groceries from blocks away. With off-campus parking, convenience is just outside your door.
Storage is another huge benefit of off-campus apartments. Dorm rooms are notoriously small, with barely enough space to fit your clothes, let alone your books, sports equipment, and all the things that make a home feel like home. On the other hand, off-campus living often offers larger closets and additional storage.
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This extra space means you won’t have to worry about overcrowding your room with things you don’t need every day. Instead, you can keep your space neat, organized, and more functional for everyday life.
So, you’ve decided that off-campus living is for you—but how do you transform your new space into a home? CORT Furniture Rental makes it incredibly easy to furnish your first college apartment without the hassle of expensive furniture purchases, long-term commitments, or the headaches of summer storage.
With CORT, you don’t need to worry about a cheap desk that will fall apart after two months of use. Instead, you get high-quality, stylish furniture perfect for students who are on the go and need reliable pieces that will last throughout the school year (and beyond). Plus, CORT offers more than just furniture. You can outfit your apartment with everything you need, from kitchen and dining essentials to bathroom accessories, all delivered and set up right at your door.
Another perk? Say goodbye to the stress of buying and moving furniture on your own—CORT’s flexible rental options mean you can update your space as needed and avoid the high price tags that often come with buying brand-new pieces. Whether you need a sofa, dining table, or even a mattress, we’re here to help. And when it’s time to move on, there’s no need for storage nightmares—CORT can help with that too.
Ready to make your first off-campus apartment feel like home? CORT has you covered with flexible rental options, expertly curated packages, and everything you need to settle in stress-free.
Visit cort.com to explore our student furniture packages or find your local showroom, and get started today.
