I live in Res this year but I have no idea what I'm going to do next year! Do most people get off campus housing?

I don't really know any prospective roommates so I'm not sure what to do.

What are you guys doing and for those in upper years what did you do?

im in rez again n LOVE IT way better than first year however, most do off campus housing

Just do whatever you want. If you feel like living on res again, do that. Otherwise, just find a nice place off campus. Either alone or with a bunch of people.

There are pros and cons to each. Living in rez is expensive, living off campus is cheaper.
If you plan on living off campus, I strongly suggest you do not get a room in a house. For ALMOST the same price, you can find two or three people and split a two or three bedroom apartment. It's so much better than living in a house with like 8 other people.

Rooms in a house usually cost like $350 - $415. I think a 2 bedroom apartment is about $800 or $850.

I lived in residence in first and second year, then lived in 2 different houses for 3rd and 4th years. I found that when I lived off campus I bought more things for my room/common areas and spent more money in general because I was going through Westdale all the time. Overall, residence was more expensive, but I didn't have to deal with 5 other people in a house (and not always the best situation). In residence I had double rooms both times, with a private washroom in second year.

I've lived in residence all four years, only because the convenience of being right on campus and waking up for 8:30 classes at 8:00 is something i would've missed being off campus. Being on residence also keeps me going to all my classes.

There are down sides to this though, it can get pretty loud at times, but this year, in Les Prince, i'm totally loving having my own bathroom and overall its just great. It's hit and miss i guess with the lottery.

But yeah, most people do end up going off campus if not in 2nd year then 3rd, and 4th.

Also, with a 9.5 average you are guaranteed a single room in residence in your upper years.

Originally Posted by SciMania

Also, with a 9.5 average you are guaranteed a single room in residence in your upper years.

Wait, this is including second year as well ? So above 9.5 average in first year guarantees you a single room in second year?

I had a 5.6 average and I am currently an upper year student living in a single room, so not sure how much truth that statement actually has.

I lived off-campus last year and it was a disaster. I split a two bedroom apartment, and it's a long story.

Originally Posted by bcars

I split a two bedroom apartment, and it's a long story.

Surely, you want to tell that story.

Originally Posted by Strategy

Wait, this is including second year as well ? So above 9.5 average in first year guarantees you a single room in second year?

Sorry, it actually guarantees you a spot in residence - my mistake!

In any case, I would say that a very high majority of upper years (despite average) do get single rooms.

Its not hard to get a spot in residence as an upper year, and its not hard to find a place to live off campus. So you should pick whichever one you're more comfortable with.

Residence has the very distinct advantage of location- you're right on campus. However its more expensive, you're required to get a meal plan and eat shitty campus food, and the laundry facilities suck.

On campus you get more freedom in terms of food, probably nicer accommodations (bigger bed, an actual laundry, the ability to actually decorate your room) but it also means more responsibility. With a lot of places you'll need to pick an ISP, pay your own bills, cook your own food, etc. Depending on where you live you could have a long walk or bus ride. Its definitely a better preparation for the real world.

One other factor is that you can pick your roommates if you live off campus, while you have no control with residence. However, you also might miss out on making new friends that way.

Personally I love staying off campus, but its not for everyone. If you need help with pretty much anything off campus related, go check out the Off Campus Resource Centre in the basement of the MUSC. They're super helpful, and will pretty much be able to teach you everything you need to know!

I lived in brandon first year and now i live off campus and i must say living on campus is 10 times better!