Living Off-Campus FAQ: Answered by a Husky

One of the biggest shifts in my college life was moving off-campus this year, and I’ve found that it comes with a lot of questions, especially from prospective students during tours. Although I haven’t been off-campus for long as a second year, I’ve already completed a full semester of classes in the fall and am currently working from home on co-op, so I’m getting the full experience pretty quickly. Plus, I still have the on-campus experience from my first year at Northeastern’s Boston Campus fresh in my mind for comparison.

What are the biggest differences between living on and off-campus?

Aside from what I’ve learned from friends, my only on-campus housing experience was in a first-year residence hall, which looks very different from the suite or apartment-style housing options available to upperclassmen. In fact, many of the differences between on- and off-campus living mirror the transition from a first-year residence hall to an on-campus apartment.

The biggest difference is probably the added responsibility. You don’t realize how convenient a meal plan or cleaners are until you’re without them. Cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning your own bathroom and common spaces, and paying electricity and internet bills can feel like a lot to manage on top of being a student. However, I would argue these are necessary skills and are pretty manageable with a good plan or routine.

Another big shift is your proximity to friends. In your first year, you’re likely living close to most of your friends, which is really convenient. I mean it’s hard to beat having a friend down the hall. As you get older, you’ll probably have friends both on- and off-campus, so you may need to travel a bit more to hang out. That said, the commute between an off-campus apartment and campus can be as short as 5 to 10 minutes.

What was the process for finding an off-campus apartment like in Boston?

Searching for my first-ever apartment was daunting, but I quickly realized that Northeastern had many resources to help me through the process. First and foremost, Northeastern Off Campus Engagement and Support provides a lot of assistance for students looking to move off campus. Personally, I found the Off-Campus Housing Database on their website to be extremely useful, which alleviated a lot of stress for me. Through it, I searched for listings in the area and connected with a trustworthy realtor. My realtor helped me find apartments close to campus that fit my budget and preferences. She set up tours and was a valuable resource throughout the entire housing process.

Is it easy to commute between campus and an off-campus apartment?

Through the MBTA, Boston has many accessible transit options like the subway (commonly referred to as “the T”) and bus lines that connect directly to Northeastern. The city isn’t huge, so biking or even walking can also be effective ways to get around. That said, the ease of commuting largely depends on where you live off-campus. Housing options range from places right next to campus to neighborhoods across the city.

I personally live in Mission Hill, a very popular neighborhood for Northeastern and other Boston students that’s close to campus. However, with close to 160,000 college students in Boston, there are plenty of other areas with a vibrant student community. Using an electric bike it takes me under 10 minutes to reach campus. When the weather is nice or I’m not in a rush, I also enjoy walking. My apartment is also close to the Orange Line and the Green Line, which are two subway lines that have stops on campus. This makes it easy to avoid commuting in the cold or traveling to other areas of Boston. Some people try to schedule their classes or activities in a way that minimizes commuting, but I’ve found that even working remotely, I don’t mind commuting to campus every day for things like going to the gym since it’s short and convenient.

What happens if you have an off-campus apartment and want to leave Boston for an experiential learning opportunity like a co-op or a global experience?

Currently, I’m planning on attending a Dialogue of Civilizations in the summer and spending a semester abroad in the fall. I completely understand wanting to make the most out of the global opportunities Northeastern offers while still managing an apartment in Boston. Fortunately, outside of just asking your friends, the Off-Campus Housing Database also makes it easy to post a room sublease for any period of time. This is incredibly useful since the database is used by other Northeastern students who are looking for flexible housing options to support their own experiential learning.

Final Thoughts

I’m grateful Northeastern has so many resources to help students navigate their first apartment search as it simplified the process for me. In the same spirit, I hope I was able to answer some common questions about living off-campus to help you. If it’s something you’re interested in, I encourage you not to be intimidated by the process. With the right resources and mindset, it can be a rewarding and valuable experience. Best of luck!