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By Mylin Brown
brownm17@findlay.edu
For many college students, moving off campus marks a rite of passage, a chance to gain independence, manage responsibilities, and carve out a lifestyle beyond the residence halls. But the transition isn’t without challenges.
Owen Clevenger, a University of Findlay student who has lived off campus since his sophomore year, said freedom and affordability drove his decision.
“I moved off campus because I wanted to have a less structured lifestyle,” Clevenger said. “I chose where I lived because of the price. Location wasn’t important to me. Findlay is a pretty safe city.”
Adjusting to life away from the dining hall posed one of the biggest hurdles.
“Probably eating,” Clevenger said. “Making sure I have consistent meals and a consistent diet while not spending too much money.”
Like many students balancing school with new responsibilities, Clevenger stays on top of his budget.
“I keep a close eye on how much money I’ve spent, how much I’m going to need to spend, and not make any spontaneous spending decisions until I know everything I’m going to need is covered,” he said.
Staying connected to campus, he added, comes naturally through class and football games, along with friendships he built before moving out. As for navigating landlords or roommates, Clevenger said he’s been fortunate.
“Paying rent on time helps,” he said. “Also doing what you’re supposed to do and not causing problems helps that relationship.”
His advice for students considering the move: don’t overlook the importance of shared priorities with roommates.
“Make sure you and your roommates are on the same page about your priorities,” he said. “The worst thing you can do is not have any idea what’s important within your individual lifestyles.”
Sophomore business administration major Jimmy Steffen recently traded a dorm for a house. He says the shift was not about money.
“I just wanted a bigger space for myself,” Steffen said. “I rent a house from my grandpa.”
Still, the change hasn’t been without drawbacks.
“I haven’t been to the library Shaffer to study recently,” Steffen said. “My grades have taken a hit.”
National research shows that moving off campus can affect academics, though the impact varies. A 2022 report from the University of Oregon found that first-year students who lived on campus earned a grade-point average about 0.13 points higher than their peers off campus, and they were more likely to return for sophomore year and graduate within six years.
Similarly, a University of Connecticut study concluded that on-campus students had higher GPAs, stronger retention rates and greater likelihood of graduating on time compared with students living off campus.
Still, the differences aren’t overwhelming. A report from the National Multifamily Housing Council noted that off-campus students in purpose-built housing performed comparably when they had access to stable study environments, reasonable commutes and support networks.
For many, like Clevenger and Steffen, the decision to move off campus comes down to lifestyle trade-offs; space, freedom and independence weighed against structure, convenience and access.
Steffen said he enjoys the independence of a yard and his own parking space, but he also misses the connections forged on campus.
“I miss going to the library every day,” Steffen said. “And I wouldn’t have taken my first-year roommate for granted. I miss that guy.”
**Next week Ella Resor looks into how college students can foster a healthier relationship with roommates.
