<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I’m going to a community college this fall, and am in a bit of a bind as to what to do with housing. Basically, I can: - Stay with my aunt, uncle and cousin who live nearby, or
- Rent an apartment from a complex owned by the college basically meant for students</p>
<p>Here are my thoughts; my cousin, who is a year older than me, is also going to the same college. It makes sense for him to stay at home since he’s always lived there. My aunt and uncle told me they’d be happy to let me stay with them as well, so there isn’t an issue with being welcome. However, as it is, I feel like this sets me up for a sort of “High School: Part 2” scenario. In a sense, I want the independence of being a little more on my own. I don’t feel that I’ll have any issue making friends/ being social (I already have some friends in the area as well) And, I’ll go out on a limb and say that I feel competent in handling having my own space. The apartment complex has a pretty great deal ($380 per month for rent and all utilities except electricity, as well as free wifi and cable) My family was already planning on kicking $200/ month to my aunt and uncle as a sort of aid for them housing me, and would do the same for either arrangement that works out. I may get a little more money from other sources as well, leaving me about $100- 200 per month to foot myself for rent. I’m going to be working throughout the summer, so I don’t think this would be particularly hard.</p>
<p>So basically, what are your thoughts? I like to think I’m not just being a typical teenage guy and trying to separate myself from my family. I’m really grateful for their intention, it’s just that I certainly do appreciate having my own space and alone time, and I definitely see a few advantages to a little more independence. Namely, the freedom to have friends over more often, (I would feel uncomfortable/ overly intrusive inviting a friend over often to my aunt and uncle’s house) I wouldn’t have to worry about getting on anyone’s nerves after months on end of staying with someone else, and I could get a sort of beginner-friendly step into real world housing without too much stress from being unable to make ends meet. I guess I’ll step into ‘18 Year Old Vocab’ for a minute and say, It just sounds cool.</p>
<p>The only cons I see are that it will be a little more expensive, which seems like a justifiably small price to pay for the freedom. That being said, I’m worried about how to approach my family with this if it’s what I decide. I don’t want them to think I’m ungrateful of their nice gesture. I especially don’t want my cousin, who is also one of my closest friends, to feel offended at me rejecting their offer, particularly since I’m a little younger and would have my own place while he’s still living at home. I know that might make me feel a little frustrated with my position if I were in his shoes, but I guess I’ll just have to use good tact if that’s what happens. (Any advice with handling that would be great, too)</p>
<p>Anyway, sorry to drag this out so long, but I’m kind of unsure. I’m definitely leaning toward the apartment, but I felt like a few more opinions could help clarify a good path to take, whatever that may be. How would you handle this situation, and do I have solid points? Was the freedom of your dorm room freshman year worth it’s crackerjack size weight in gold? (P.S. I can’t get a dorm at this college if that was an idea; already full) In short, I’ve spent 18 years living in a little bedroom under someone else’s roof, and I’m kind of excited to take the next step and have something modest to call my own. It seems a lot like this kind of independence is a fundamental point in the college experience. Thanks so much for your help and attention everyone, and I’ll certainly consider whatever you have for me.</p>
<p>Regards,
Drew</p>