We’re keeping a close eye on the relatively new phenomena of co-living in NYC, which is quickly gaining traction as a viable alternative to the traditional (sometimes grueling) routine of renting in the city. How does co-living compare to student housing, which has been defined as upmarket dorm-style living? Read this living on vs off campus article by SharedEasy to see how.

Students who want to move to one of the districts or newcomers who have been accepted into the area have the challenge of sorting out where and how they should live in one of the most expensive places to live.

What Alternative Living Locations Do Students Have?

The amazing thing about NYC is that you can always find a decent house to live in whatever neighborhood you want if you look close enough. Some areas of study are undeniably more popular with students than others. Inwood and Washington Heights seem to be the two Manhattan areas where college students living off-campus usually cluster the most.

They are reasonably safe, affordable, and provide good commuting options for folks studying at Manhattan-based universities like Baruch and City Colleges. Apartments in Brooklyn are often more affordable, but then if you go to school in Manhattan, it could be a bit of a walk.

Some of Brooklyn’s more up-and-coming neighborhoods, such as Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, and Crown Heights, are popular among students. Apparently, NYU students have also been renting in places as far as Bushwick for years.

While the areas of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill have become increasingly expensive, they continue to draw a lot of students due to the presence of multiple universities such as Pratt Uni, Long Island’s Brooklyn Campus, and St. Joseph’s College.

Both Jamaica & Flushing, Queens, have been good choices. Unfortunately, it is normally a rather long commute. But Scholars at Queens College and St. John’s University, both of which have campuses in those locations, may find them more suitable. For students who study in north Manhattan or the Bronx, Concourse is a fantastic option.

The Dormitory Vs Its Alternatives

If you’re lucky, you might be able to live in a dorm. While going to college in New York, housing is a great opportunity for students to save some money.

Dorms, on the other end, have some disadvantages that make them unsuitable for many students. Many schools simply may not have enough space for new students, and nearly every college in the New York Metropolitan area has rigorous guidelines about who is permitted to reside on campus. It’s possible that you’ll be left out due to rules or a lack of accommodations. It’s possible that the older guys will feel really uncomfortable living in the same room as students who are much younger. Many hostels also refuse to allow married or nursing residents.

Furthermore, even if you match the minimum requirements for student housing, many dorms are extremely outdated, congested, and expensive. It is often more cost-effective to rent a place with friends than it is to live in a student dorm. Simply put, renting allows you to have more freedom and privacy than you would in a dorm room. Renting or buying an apartment or a room outside school gives you greater privacy and flexibility over your activities and surroundings.

What Dorm Alternatives Are Available?

Extended Stay Hotels

Take a peek at what’s on offer. You may only be exposed to a few other people who live in the same building based on the building’s design – in certain residential hotels, tenants can enter and exit their rooms straight from the outside, bypassing the common spaces. Moreover, since fewer people are staying in a hotel and extended hotels have to fill their spaces, this is a “buyer’s market,” and you may haggle for a lower rent. Rooms are also furnished, with TVs, Wi-Fi, and kitchenettes. They could be a more appealing option than a dorm.

One thing to think about? If you’re just entering college and aren’t familiar with the school, staying in a hotel can be isolating. However, if this is not the case, it may be an appealing option. Just find one close to school.

Leased Rooms in Private Homes

If your school is situated in a rural or suburban region, you may have a variety of possibilities. To find a room, contact your college’s housing office or search online and your local resources for real estate listings.

Due to the design of the property that you rent, a leased room could be a safer choice than a dorm room. It could significantly reduce your encounters with other students while also being less expensive than a dorm room.

A point to note… Examine the entrance to and exit from the room you’re thinking about renting. Also, make sure that every floor has working smoke detectors. If you’re not sure what to check for, talk to the fire dept in the city where you’ll be living and ask for guidance on how to make sure the house you’re contemplating is fire-safe.

A Furnished Apartment/Co-living

You can rent a place alone or, if the layout is suitable, share with a friend to save money. To be safe if/when we face another pandemic, try to negotiate a month-to-month rental instead of a year-long lease (Co-living spaces are that flexible).

Home

This may be a cost-cutting alternative to consider. But it depends on the distance from your family’s house to your university. Even if your journey to school would take an hour or more, the money you’d save might make it worthwhile. And if the school year is cut short, perhaps to just one semester, you may well be able to put up with the inconvenience.

Conclusion

Moving into a new apartment as a student can be a difficult process for a variety of reasons, including the need to save and manage money, and also secure your safety, but if you have made it this far, we are confident that it will be easier for you.