College is all about coming of age, and when students leave their home for possibly the first time ever, it’s nice to have somewhere they can call their own.

But, the dorm life is not an accurate taste of adult life. Because of this, transitioning from the dorms to an off-campus apartment can be an intimidating step for most. There are many options to choose from when searching for off-campus apartments, and some like Campus Evolution are not known for their sparkling reputation. 

“We had heard bad things about [Campus Evolution], but it was cheap,” Gina Tress said, a nursing junior living at Campus Evolution.  “As soon as we moved in, we had problems.”

According to their contract, the unit was supposed to be clean and ready to move in. That was not the case. Tress found hair on the floors and stains on the carpet. None of the roommates had received proper keys, and the rooms reeked of marijuana from a previous occupant. The roommates also received free rent because of an incident involving a new roommate moving in with no warning. By contract, occupants needed to receive a 72-hour warning before someone could move in, but Tress came home one night to find a man she had never met in the vacant room. 

“We thought someone had broken in,” Tress said. 

It was difficult to get in touch with management, but once they did, the roommates were offered free rent for the trouble caused. She commented that living off-campus was marginally different than living in Ridgecrest South her freshman year. 

Some have had a relatively pleasant transition compared to Tress. 

“My experience living off-campus is a lot more convenient than I first thought it would be,” Kasey Grizzell, a sophomore majoring in communicative disorders, said. 

Grizzell, who lives in Midtown Village Condominiums, was used to rushing to get class last year, but this year is able to sit on her porch and enjoy a cup of coffee. 

“I haven’t been late to campus once a semester, and it’s an easy drive over to my classes,” Grizzell said.

She also enjoys not being on the meal plan and cooking food for herself. Not only is it cost-effective, it’s more appetizing and interesting, according to Grizzell.

Another option for students looking for housing are the on-campus apartments. Bryce Lawn and The Highlands are convenient options for students who want to remain on campus. They are accessible and easy to live in, but in some ways still feel like a dorm to some.

“Bryce Lawn is very close to Moody and very convenient to get to all of my classes,” Alyssa Larson, a sophomore majoring in music therapy, said. 

Larson enjoys not needing to keep up the rent bill each month, as she pays it once a semester. 

“It still feels like a dorm as far as size goes, but it’s nice being away from the residential side of campus. I feel like I’m in an apartment rather than a dorm in that respect,” Larson said. 

The amount of housing options available to students after their freshman year is almost overwhelming, but most are successful in finding a comfortable and affordable option for themselves. Although the convenience of living on campus is taken away, more freedom and a sense of independence that comes with living off campus.