I highly recommend living on campus for at least your first year. The campus living experience will allow you to make connections with people around you and makes it easier to participate in student organizations to help establish yourself at State. I moved off campus after my first year at State. There are tons of apartments that cater to the university students in the Raleigh area. Many offer by-the-bed leases, which only holds you responsible for your room in an apartment in the event that your roommate(s) end their lease or fail to pay their rent. Most apartments range from 1-4 bedrooms, with costs generally decreasing per person with more roommates. Some locations offer roommate matching programs, and amenities such as swimming pools, exercise equipment, etc. Definitely visit an apartment complex and check around on the Internet for student housing options to find the right place for you.
Things to consider with living off campus: buying a parking permit for campus, bus routes nearby to get you to campus, food costs vs. meal plan, length of a lease and your plans for summer vacation. Always read the details of a lease and keep your parents involved, as they will probably be serving as a co-signor for your apartment or townhouse.
Posted by Justin Jornigan
