You’ve done your campus visits, filled out your application forms and finally made your decision which university to attend . Don’t think your decisions are over just yet! One of the main influencers of how your college years will play out is where you decide to live. There are definite advantages to both on and off-campus living for you to consider. Below is a list of things to think about as you get started:

1. Price comparisons: While living on campus might seem more expensive at first, there are other costs to consider when renting an off-campus apartment or house to share with other students. For starters, there’s a gas, electric and cable bill that will roll around every month. Don’t forget the cost of eating, as well. While meal plans for on-campus cafeterias might lead to sticker shock, have you been to a supermarket lately? If you life off campus, you’ll have a kitchen to stock, as well. One more thing to think about is the cost of getting to and from classes every day. If you drive, there are gas and parking costs as well.

2. How will my mailing address impact my social life? A lot. If you choose to life away from campus, chances are, you’ll also be somewhat removed from the spontaneity of the social life in the heart of the university. For some students, that could be a good thing, while others would miss the energy involved in living among other like-minded people. You’ll need to ask yourself if you are the type of person who requires privacy and down time. Apartment living would provide more space when it comes to bathrooms and sleeping arrangements, but would likely lack in the social department.

3. Study support: Living on campus definitely has benefits when it comes to studying. Most campus libraries never close, in fact. For students who like to study the night away, there’s a safe and quiet place to do so. Living on campus also provides ample opportunities to meet with study groups or attend extra lectures, and so on. If you need to take a bus or drive into the heart of the scholastic activities, bad weather could prevent you from doing so.

4. What do I want from my college experience? To you, college could be a necessary time in life to carve out a better future for yourself. Or, you could be in search of four additional years to transition from child to adult. Can you see how these two types of students would differ greatly in their choice of living arrangements? College offers a rare time in life when a student usually lives away from home for the first time. Where you live will have an enormous impact on how those years play out for you.

After giving these things some thought, it should be pretty clear to you which type of living arrangement would best suit your needs. If, however, you are still confused, take heart. Most college towns offer rentals within walking distance of the heart of the university. You could have the best of both worlds if you find one of these gems.

Bob Rome is a higher education writer and part time university instructor. He has contributed to websites on online degree programs and online degrees in education.