<p>My daughter, in her 3rd year of undergrad, is considering moving out of her 4bedroom 1bath apt she has shared with 3 other girls for the past year and a half and getting her own 1 bedroom apt. She has found a nice place, xlnt location and cost is only slightly more than her current 1/4 share. Anyone care to share their child’s experiences living alone while at college, good and bad? My daughter seems ready for the change, tired of the drama inherent in all-female living arrangements and the distraction on her studies. She has a wide circle of friends and is a social person, but says she is ready to live by herself. She did have her current apartment to herself for a few weeks last summer and enjoyed it, but a few weeks is not a whole year!</p>
<p>A little different…but when my so went to grad school, he could have roomed with others. He just wanted his own space. And he got it. And he LOVED it!</p>
<p>My D. had a single studio her senior year – it was in college-owned housing, but in an apartment building located several blocks away from campus – the college had a small number of studios available, limited to the seniors who were lucky enough to snag them My daughter absolutely loved living there that year – although there were other students in the building, it was a regular apartment building (New York city). My daughter had to write her senior thesis that year, and I think she really liked the space to herself so she could bury herself in her project when she wanted to.</p>
<p>I’d note that my daughter is very outgoing and takes initiative to go out on her own to participate in all sots of things, so no risk of her becoming reclusive. Of course by senior year she had a well-established circle of friends and activities she was involved with. </p>
<p>I’d say if your daughter’s current situation isn’t satisfactory (and I don’t believe there is drama inherent in all female living arrangements having spent many years in various such situations) then it is just something she thinks she prefers and it looks like she can swing it, so I hope she enjoys the experience.</p>
<p>Every person is different. If it is what she wants and it is affordable, it should be fine. I’d try to get her in a building that is with or close to some friends so she can have company when she wants it.</p>
<p>I didn’t live alone my senior year, but my roommate was never there. I enjoyed the time alone, plus she had a lot of nice stuff (stereo, cooking things) that I could use. I think it is a good thing to live alone.</p>
<p>Glad to hear the positive experiences. In addition to having more peace and quiet, she loves to cook and have small dinner parties with a group of her like-minded friends, and that has been a bit difficult in a shared apartment, so she is especially looking forward to having the freedom to do that. I just have to get comfortable with the idea of her being alone, since she is so far away I have always taken some comfort in the fact that she had other people who were aware of her comings and goings on a daily basis.</p>
<p>My DS made the same decision for his junior year; he was tired of the noise and of sharing bathrooms. He has been so happy! He enjoys cooking now, is keeping his apartment really clean (surprise!!), and takes pride in his independence. He lives about 3 blocks from campus so an easy walk and the apartment complex is full of other students and there are activities there as well. Been a really good solution for him.</p>
<p>Does she need to find a sub letter for her current place with the friend’s? What is the lease agreement on the current place? This needs to be clarified before she signs a new lease. </p>
<p>My son had a studio apartment his junior and senior year - and loved it. He was lucky that it was close to friends and to campus, so he never felt lonely. But, he enjoyed his privacy for studying, sleeping and keeping the apartment as clean or messy (usually messy) as he wanted.</p>
<p>Between freshman and soph. year our S2 spent a summer( both sessions of summer school) alone in an off campus rental house. I think he was a little apprehensive until he found other guys nearby to hang out with. After that he was fine. His other 3 roommates moved in for fall semester.</p>
<p>Not sure why this was moved since it concerns my college daughter? I thought the cafe was for non-college issues?</p>
<p>I started living on my own right after senior year of college. I love living solo! For me, a huge animal lover, being able to have pets was really great too. I have been living on my own ever since, and except for an adjustment period (I moved to a new city completely by myself), it’s been great! </p>
<p>Thumper1, yes she has found a sub tenant for her current room and has received approval from her landlord. Trust me we made sure of that!!</p>
<p>Go for it! Excellent decision. Sharing an apartment is a great learning experience but once the ropes of apartment life are mastered it is nice to go solo. My son did that and it was a good decision. Being close to campus means being close to many other students who share the same lifestyle. </p>
<p>I remember post college apartment living alone. Only MY messes, not needing to clean the bathroom very often- ie no extra work by not having others sharing. By now your D knows the ropes about rent and utilities so won’t be overwhelmed with that learning curve. </p>
<p>Living in a single can be great for the right kid(s). Both of our kids are happy to have more space and privacy now. D has had her own room for her last year of college & now rents a room in a 3 bedroom house. S has his own one bedroom place that he enjoys very much. If he doesn’t like it, he can always find a room mate or move after he gets approval and subleases anyway. College is a good time to try new things and see how they go and what works well for you.</p>