Living away, is it worth it?

RobLondon1984

Is it worth the money?

Do you regret it?

I guess you would have much more fun living away, but it does cost so much more

kittiwoz

I certainly don't regret living away from home. It's not just a case of being able to have more fun but also starting to live as an independent adult. When you are a student seems a good time to start doing that not only because how long do you want to be looked after by Mummy but also because there are a lot of support systems available to you through uni, halls, and student union so it is a bit like having stabilisers on a bike. If you don't leave home til you get a job after uni then you are rather being chucked in at the deep end and in fact people that I know who lived with their parents during uni are still living with their parents several years on though I couldn't say whether that's typical. I think another consideration is where you life at the moment. I am from a dormitory town type of village where there is not much to do and public transport is limited and expensive, I was feeling trapped there so I was keen to get away to a city where I have much more freedom. I try not to think about the money too much. That might sound very head in the sand but since student loan only accrues interest at the rate of inflation it doesn't really count as debt in a way.

cupid_s

I am so glad I moved away to go to Uni. I did my undergrad degree 130 miles from home then did a masters in my home town (birmingham - so not exactly a small place) so can see both views.

I much prefered being away from home. I did more work than I would have done and there's the trouble with getting to uni, unless you're lucky enough that your parents live on the doorstep of the uni (unlikely unless they live in studentville). It is slightly harder to integrate. Everyone generally lives close by and they all go out together. I lived miles away so had to leave earlier or get a taxi by myself. It made going out a lot more expensive. Also you don't learn to live on your own (or away from parents) which is important. I learned loads from living away and I wouldn't cope as well now I have my own house had I not lived away from home before.

If you are doing a worthwhile degree then the money should be recouped by the extra you earn. Though saying that I'm hardly finding that the case and I think my degree was worthwhile!

Uni is expensive whether you go in your home town or not. Fees still have to be paid which are a big proportion of what you have to spend now anyway. If you're getting into thousands of debt anyway you may as well add a few more on and do it properly!

Happychappy

As a parent, Yes Yes Yes Please move away and give us a break.

tr3mor

Of course it's worth it - you get to live how you want as an adult.

Oompa_Loompa_2

Yes definitely worth moving away. As for the money aspect of it - it's an inevitable part of it. It costs a lot, but you have no choice but to become more independent. And you actually learn how to better manage your money - whether that be through going on big spending sprees, realising your mistake and learning from it or just having to budget for things you used to take for granted.

apoorstudent

I regret NOT living away!

djhworld

Move away.

People blab on about 'oh you'll be in so much debt, living off soggy toast and economy beans for three years'

Ignore them, it's nothing like that. Yes, you get into debt and yes, sometimes the 'economy brands' are the best option for a student, but it's not the ultimate woe-fest people make it out to be.

I'm in my second year of University now and couldn't be happier.

Oompa Loompa posted a brilliant quote that sums up the whole thing

"As for the money aspect of it - it's an inevitable part of it. It costs a lot, but you have no choice but to become more independent."

Exactly, I'm incredibly independent now, it's second nature. During the first few weeks of my first year, I did get incredibly homesick, but things suddenly clicked into place and now home just seems like another bed to sleep in (with the bonus of seeing your family!)

So yeah, the money aspect is a bit of a downer, but it's the trade off for probably the best three years of your life.

dazed_and_confused_2

i moved away from home for uni, thats part of the whole learning experience

how i wish i could go back sometimes!

Snow_Angel

Happychappy wrote:

As a parent, Yes Yes Yes Please move away and give us a break.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: I think that's brilliantly honest.....and oh so true!

I'm 32 now. I'm a mature student doing a 2nd degree (physiotherapy) but did a degree when I was 19 after doing a gap year when I was younger. Moving away teaches you many things and money is irrelevant. I survived then. it's amazing what you can live on when you need to. Check out the 'Money saving old style' thread....amazing!
Anyway, when I lived away I learnt to be independent, I learnt how to cook properly (so much so I then went to do 5 ski seasons and the food budgeting came in very useful with my job!), I learnt how to communicate with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, I learnt how to stand on my own 2 feet and not have someone to fall back on immediately, i learnt about diversity and I learnt about how to cope in difficult situations. Stuff the expense....you cannot put a value on what you will achieve by living independently. Enjoy.

Happychappy

Snow Angel you have clearly passed through from the most prestigious and yet most difficult University in the world, and that is the University of Life