Off-campus housing has many advantages over dormitories

By Ashley Monfort

At many schools, such as the University of Oregon and the University of Colorado, living on campus after freshman year is uncommon. One point of living on campus the first year is to meet people. This is not the case with many students at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

With rising gas prices and other expenses, finding an affordable apartment in Honolulu can be a challenge. Not only were Honolulu rentals ranked by MSNBC as the fifth-most expensive in the nation, but the city lacks places to build viable living spaces.

Getting off campus

In order to find a place off campus, a student may have to wait anywhere from weeks to months. It depends on the timing; a student must be one of the first to call and keep in touch with the renter. Landlords are wary of college students because they fear the students will host parties or have unstable income. However, there are still many opportunities to find places to live.

Students can use newspapers and online resources, such as Craigslist or the UHM housing Web site to find rooms. Asking around can also help in a student's plight.

Living off-campus has many advantages. It gives a student a place to live without having to worry about what to do with his or her belongings when the school year is over. It also allows students to forgo the headache of finding a place to live during the summer. There are also fewer rules in terms of drinking and partying. Many students find it easier because they are away from the temptation of socializing rather than doing homework.

"It is easier to study [while living off campus]. ... It makes you do more things, because [while living on campus] you just stay on campus every weekend and drink. Now we're closer to other places," junior Chelsee Pummel said, who lives with three other female students in Waikiki. It took them a month to find their $1800 apartment.

Don't rush off-campus

Students who decide that off-campus housing is best for them should be aware that it is usually not an overnight decision; it takes a fair amount of planning. Students shouldn't expect to find the perfect prospect right away.

"Take what you can get because it's really hard to find a place. I was looking for a place for several months. All the other people I know did the same thing," Colin said, a junior at UHM who lives off McCully with three other students. He advises students to be aware that it costs a fair amount of money to live off campus. It's a big step in life because students must keep track of bills.

For many students, living in Hawai'i means an adjustment to spending more money than they may have. With the right kind of research and perseverance, most students can find a place to call their own.

"Just look in classifieds and stick with it, and you'll find a good place," Pummel said. 

Related Links:
Craig’s List Honolulu: www.honolulu.craigslist.org/