This fall, Ottawa University’s enrollment numbers reached a record high.
This has opened up the opportunity for more students to live off campus and enjoy the ups and downs of the off-campus housing.
Senior Meagan Wilcox said she enjoys being on her own but still lives with her best friends.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing living off-campus, one just has to find a way to make money last
longer when you’re living with 3 other girls,” she said.
Senior Elishia Linton also lives off campus because she wanted another option outside of the dorms.
“It’s not as loud at my house as it is in the dorms,” she said. “I like to have peace and quiet at the end of a long day, plus you get more freedom.”
Senior Danielle Fulmer said that freedom is a great experience, but she feels that she has missed out on many on-campus activities.
“Since I’m always at my apartment after school, I missed student appreciation week last year and the fun activities offered during homecoming week this year,” she said.
Wilcox said she doesn’t like coming to Campus the day after a big event for this reason.
“Because I’m usually off campus during the night time I’ve missed out on multiple ACE events as well.”
Ottawa shows a lot of diversity from its students but also the point of view when it comes to if one is saving money if they move off campus.
Linton explained that she’s a fan of off-campus housing, but it’s not saving her much money.
“It’s not saving me much money, but at the same time I have loans to pay now so that doesn’t help either. Don’t get me wrong, I like living off campus, but its like ‘give a little, take a little.'”
But on the contrary Wilcox explained that living off campus has proven to be a lot cheaper than what she originally expected.
“I thought it would be expensive to pay rent, buy food and utilities but I worked out all the math and in the end it’s originally cheaper for me,” she said.
Fulmer said that the city of Ottawa has many options for housing.
“Whether it’s local apartments or just houses up for rent, the city will always have places for students who meet the requirements,” she said.