<p>My son loves being a first year student living in the UVA dorms. Soon he will need to make a decision whether to live on or off campus for second year. I have been recommending that he stay on campus so he stay immersed in the college life and be close to classes and libraries. He is leaning to off-campus housing, primarily because most or all of his new friends are planning to live off-campus. We will not be able to attend family weekend where these option will be discussed, so I am hoping for some on-line advice.</p>
<p>tmjfarmer,first of I maybe about your son’s age or younger,so I can’t really advice you.but since I am in the same fix,I may have something to say.On campus learning is great,with the closeness of the institution and all because your son may have an easier time attending classes etc. but have you considered the pros of living off campus?If your son lives off campus,he isn’t under the protective net of the institution.This means he is exposed to the world,and gets a chance to be far much more independent,mature and experienced in adult life,than most of his on campus mates.Please consider that before coming to any solid conclusions.</p>
<p>It seems only a small percentage of the on campus housing are close to the academic buildings and central grounds. Hereford and Copely are extremely far making busing absolutely necessary. It seems that a lot of the off campus housing that is available is close the corner and each other so the sense of UVA community is still there, just off campus.</p>
<p>The off campus housing is typically just as close as the upperclass on-campus housing. If his friends are all going off grounds, why would he stay on?
I lived on grounds all four years, but so did all of my close friends.</p>
<p>timjfarmer…I can definitely relate to what you’re experiencing. Our D is a first year, and like you, we saw many advantages to having her live on campus next year. As the mother of a girl, our biggest concern was safety. Living on campus provided some security that the majority of off campus options lacked. We have discussed it with her at length on several occasions, and we ultimately have decided to allow her to move off campus. She will be rooming with her current roommate (an absolutely FABULOUS fit) in a two bedroom at one of the complexes on the Corner. I would agree that many off campus options are every bit as close, if not closer, as those on campus. If your son is a science/engineering major, you might want to consider the choices on JPA as they are fairly close to that side of campus. Our D is pre-med and does intend on majoring in one of the sciences; however, she opted to live in one of the Corner complexes because of proximity to CVS, restaurants, etc. and because she has been told that many of these apartments are a bit more social. The price of the one she selected is fairly steep; however, I’ve heard that their is a wide array of options available to fit most every budget. Some of her friends who are upperclassmen have argued that they actually pay LESS than they did when they were in the dorm and on the school’s dining plan. (That will not be our experience 
) I agree with Hazelorb – if most of his friends have elected to move off campus, that should play a large role in his decision. PM me if you’d like a list of apartment complexes we considered. Good luck!</p>
<p>They will be having open houses during the upcoming Family Weekend (I believe Saturday). Maybe he should take a look then? I’m in the same boat regarding my student. I think UVA has some fairly nice units for upper-class students IMHO. I’ve heard many students make the pitch to their parents for living off campus as some kind of “cost saving move” but I wonder if that really works out. Especially if there is a car involved. Then you have stuff like gas, insurance, parking tickets and traffic tickets to deal with as well. I’ve also known several people (not necessarily attending UVA) whose students start out with “I’ll ride the bus and walk” and wind up with a vehicle for a variety of reasons (convenience/safety/ability to get food). You may want to lay down some financial ground rules before the move is made off campus so all expectations are discussed. I quess if cost is no problem then it would not factor in the decision.</p>
<p>We are in the same boat but for financial reasons my D may need to stay on campus and on the meal plan - I know there are some affordable options off campus with kitchens that may make it more economical but Im just not sure how that would work with our financial aid or financial situation and D would also like to try for an RA position as it is something she would be a great fit for. Many of her suitemates are looking at off campus housing but no decisions have been made. We wont be attending parents weekend but are close enough to head down soon and check things out if needed once she has a better decision of what she wants to do. Shes also vegan and the dining hall actually works out well for her, and while she can cook to survive, LOL, she doesnt care as much about eating out or that portion of off campus living but well see where it all ends up!</p>
<p>I am a current first-year. I’m going to live off-grounds next year because I have found a wonderful group of friends with whom I want to cement my relationship, but the year after I expect to move back onto grounds, if possible, and maybe even become an RA. A bit more debt means less to me than lifelong relationships.</p>
<p>The meal plan, unless subsidized, is upwards of $10 per meal. A kitchen, even considering auto costs, is more economical than that.</p>
<p>I lived on-grounds in Lambeth second year only because I transferred in. Plenty of kids lived on-grounds second year and many of us loved it. But, Lambeth and Bice are really the only good places (Brown is too, but only if you’re interested in it for Brown reasons, not the location) and they fill up quick. A lot of second years I knew off grounds moved because they didn’t get into Lambeth or Bice. I moved off for third and fourth because it was a) cheaper b) moved with friends. Most people move off third and fourth year anyways. </p>
<p>Safety isn’t any different on or off grounds unless you live in far away places, and both on/off grounds have that option. I’d say stick to the Corner or not too far down JPA, although JPA late at night always sketched me out. Also, there’s complexes right next to the hospital/student health that are great, I had some buddies over there and would cut through the med school or up the Corner; it was an easy, quick walk. Moving off grounds brings new responsibilities (rent, utilities, furnishing), but if it’s worth it, let her.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who replied. I feel much more comfortable leaving the housing decision to my son.</p>
<p>I will be a grad student and I need to look into housing as well. If anyone has some good resources to see what is available off campus, it would be appreciated. I have no familiarity with the area and don’t even know where to start.</p>
<p>I’m not in college yet but I plan on living on campus every year. I hope to get stuck in a dorm with a ton of kids and more than 4 roomates in my room alone. I really love the atmosphere of chaos that having 5 guys in a room creates. I’ve shared a room with my brother all my life and when I’ve gone to sleep away camps I’ve just loved having so many people around.
GL with your decision though.</p>
<p>You should ask other students in your department (there should be a page on their website where they list either all of the students or the students in charge of grad life… if your dept is cool enough) where they live. Eschool grads tend to live over on JPA while if you’re a grad whose classes are more on the south lawn maybe you would live near Brandon Ave. It all depends!</p>
<p>Does anyone know if you move off campus in your second year, is it still possible to get a parking permit for the University parking garage? (Yes I know it is far away but at least you can park somewhere) Or do you have to make sure that parking comes with the living arrangement you have off campus?</p>
<p>Never mind, I found the answer, Yes, you can get a permit for the Ivy road garage. :)</p>
<p>The Blue Ridge Apartment Council is a good resource for renters moving to Charlottesville:
[Charlottesville</a> Apartments - Blue Ridge Apartment Council](<a href=“http://brac.com/]Charlottesville”>http://brac.com/)</p>
<p>I live off Grounds currently in the Corner area and have parking arranged through the very large apartment complex that I live at. I walk to classes everyday and the parking at the apt. is totally fine. If I have to go to the Grounds and I’m in a hurry or its dark, then I usually find a University garage in which to park, and just pay for the time I’m there. Hope this helps.<br>
I’ve lived off Grounds 2nd-4th years at UVA and have been very happy.</p>