If you live near to your University it may be tempted to stick there rather than move away into halls or private accommodation, but what are the advantages and disadvantages?

Here we highlight the main pros and cons of living at home v living at university.

Living at home

Pros

Cheaper – Even if your parents demand you pay rent towards your upkeep, bills when living at home will always work out far cheaper than moving away.

Nicer – You’ll have your own personal space, far bigger and no doubt much nicer than University halls or even private accommodation could provide.

Easier – There’s no stress over planning or moving out, buying stuff and sorting out private accommodation after your first year.

Cons

Harder to socialise – It’ll be harder (but not impossible) to make friends living at home, away from the rest of the students and without any flatmates to socialise with and get to know.

Expensive travel – Depending just where you live and how far away from your campus, it may be very expensive and stressful commuting to University and back from your house. Remember most Unis don’t have car parks for students.

Awkward – Need to pop in to University to submit your essay at the last minute? It’s not easy if you live away from the campus.

Living at University

Pros

Close to Uni – A lot of the time within walking distance or a short bus or bike ride at most.

Easy to socalise – You’ll immediately have people to get to know when you move in to halls and on-campus events will make meeting new people easy.

Live independently – Learning how to cook, wash and generally live for yourself

Cons

Hard to adjust -Learning how to cook, wash and generally live for yourself… it can be hard to come by for some, and there’s also possible home sickness.

Awful flatmates – You may end up getting stuck in halls with people you hate.

Far from home – You could end up being very far away from home which can prove tricky, although if this is the case then staying there probably isn’t an option.

More expensive – You’ll almost certainly end up spending lots more living on campus, even if in halls, than at home.