I can attend 100% free BUT...

[harvard_jd]

Without getting into the calculations, suffice it to say that I can attend university 100% loan-free (commute option) and then even make about 3K in cash on top of that. The reason for this is because of scholarships, grants and bursaries - it works-out like this.

If I stay in residence, with all the associated costs and when everything is said and done, I then owe about 7K per year with no extra money to keep.

The problem? It's York and I'm in Scarborough and that's a 1.5 hour commute each way on a daily basis. The other problem? It's a one bedroom apt. with my parents and sometimes we don't get along. I'd love to be debt-free, but is it worth the commute headaches and the one bedroom apt. situation?


COMMUTE
-No loan
-Make $3K on top of no loan
-Scarborough > YorkU = 1.5 hours commute one way
-One bedroom apt. in Scarborough w/ parents (buying 2 bdrm apt in a year but in city's East end)

RESIDENCE
-7K loan per year
-On campus without commute
-Living alone first time and having privacy (its a single room!)

[thechampion116]

It's up to you. I attend UTSG and commute about 45 min to an hour to get home in Scarborough as well.

It completely depends. By living at the school, I think you get a fuller experience of university (even if its just for a year). Most of my friends who stayed on campus seemed to work a little less because I guess they felt they had a lot of more time on their hands.

To commute requires a lot of time management especially if you take the GO. But you got to use your time wisely and study on the commute or even get some sleep, so you won't sleep in class.

[arlo72]

I would definitely live in rez. I couldn't imagine commuting that long to go to school everyday. Everyone graduates with debt, I'll have 30,000 and i'm not too worried about it. If you live there for at least your first year you will feel as if you really experienced university. If i was to do it all over again, I would start my first year in rez for sure (I lived with some friends instead). I assume you have also taken into account the costs associated with commuting (you will also have to pack a lunch :| ) Suuuuuucccckky

[bokep]

this one is simple... live in rez. i too had excess money from scholarships and bursaries but i wouldn't even think about not living in rez first year. no regrets.

[cadave]

+1 to everyone's comments

The experience you get from residence life is priceless... I'd go as far as to suggest moving into res for your first year even if you live in the same city as your university!

[rob187jj]

Move To Res, U Wont Experience Anything Like It!

[chococrazy]

100% live in residence. You won't have the same university experience.

[anycee]

Res. Move out to something cheaper after first year.

[torontoraptor]

Rez. I think a lot of people meet most of their friends there.

[corrupt123]

Res for sure. You'll meet more people, be happier, and $7k/yr isn't so bad.

[f00kie]

I have commuted 1.5 hours each way for my first two years of university, and really didn't find it all too bad. I got used to it; usually I slept.

That being said, its obvious that everybody is going to recommend living on residence: lots of freedom, drinking, relaxing, chilling, etc. However, I think its important to think what you value most (and here I say most, not everything): getting good marks or enjoying your life/making new friends while living on residence (in my personaly experience, those two are exclusive of each other 99% of the time).

Do not kid yourself: if you think by saving that three hours/day you will actually study in those three hours on campus, you are probably wrong. My friends said the same thing and he ended up getting lower marks and not coming to class altogether because it was tough to get up. I have seen enough [engineers] fail that have thought living on residence would be an awesome experience.

However, you're probably not going into engineering, so I'm guessing residence would be cool. Just make sure you understand the consequences first.

[Truemana]

Do not kid yourself: if you think by saving that three hours/day you will actually study in those three hours on campus, you are probably wrong. My friends said the same thing and he ended up getting lower marks and not coming to class altogether because it was tough to get up. I have seen enough [engineers] fail that have thought living on residence would be an awesome experience.

However, you're probably not going into engineering, so I'm guessing residence would be cool. Just make sure you understand the consequences first.

Maybe this is the engineering ego growing from my temple, I'm not sure... but most of my friends I made from first year. This is the truth. Most of those people are engineers and every single one of them are still around now, in engineering with me. I'm heading into term 3B (because of coop, but it's really my 4th year of school). Guys that fail out of engineering typically don't want it as much as the next guy. You gotta want that degree, and even though it isn't for everyone almost anyone can do it with enough networking and hard work. This pretty much goes for every degree.

I didn't even fully experience rez. At first, I worried about marks too much and was hung up on a girl an hour and a half drive away in my home town. But then we broke up with a month or two to go, and it was honestly the most random, fun time of rez. I recommend it because that $7000 you spend you certainly won't miss in 45 years. Or in 5 for that matter. Seriously, dude... you will not regret it. Just make sure you only go home about once a month or you'll find yourself feeling like I did. Hope this helps the thought process.

-Trueman

[TruE SkiLLS]

depends on which campus of york ur talking about, but then i know a lot of people who go down to UTSG every day that takes bout an hour to get down (cause of rush hours and stuff) and back

if you wanna save money, then thats the best way, but i mean, for 3000, i rather skip that hassle to wake up super early each day to go to school (esp when you love to sleep late)

also, ull get to have more sociable times and meet more people!

[felix]

Rez. I think a lot of people meet most of their friends there.
Not for me. Met most of mine in my classes (graduated long ago). Definitely good for most people though, and it's easier to share ideas and homework with your floormates. Also helps that you get a single room (having a bad roommate is AWEFUL beyond belief!!).

[jljdaigl]

Another one for residence, if I had to start over I would 100% do residence again. You get to meet a whole bunch of new people, there are usually people you can cooperate with for school work and regardless of where you live (home or rez) I don't think your going to get any more or less work done, unless your the type of person that does work when your board at home. Otherwise the amount of work/studying you do I have found depends mostly on the person, I mean if your in rez and want to do work shut the door.

IMHO I would definitely go with residence, you get to be really close, meets tons of new people and have an excellent experience.

[harvard_jd]

It's Keele and takes 1.5 hours each way.
Don't know where you got $3000 from but its $7000 extra that will cost me.




depends on which campus of york ur talking about, but then i know a lot of people who go down to UTSG every day that takes bout an hour to get down (cause of rush hours and stuff) and back

if you wanna save money, then thats the best way, but i mean, for 3000, i rather skip that hassle to wake up super early each day to go to school (esp when you love to sleep late)

also, ull get to have more sociable times and meet more people!

[arlo72]

Well, the opportunity cost is really $10,000 when you add 7,000 debt plus the 3,000 that you gain from living at home.

$10,000 is a lot of $$$$$

[Truemana]

Well, the opportunity cost is really $10,000 when you add 7,000 debt plus the 3,000 that you gain from living at home.

$10,000 is a lot of $$$$$

Yeah, it is... but i think very, very few people regret going into residence. In fact, I have never met anyone who has. Then again, those that do regret it also might have committed suicide.

[B0000rt]

1.5hour commute from Scarborough to York? Man, you don't live near STC? Take the GO Bus from STC, and it's 30minute trip.

A monthly pass is $91.00

Damn those GO Transit bastards, it was $56 like 5 years ago

[homesweetplanet]

I would definitely live in rez. I couldn't imagine commuting that long to go to school everyday. Everyone graduates with debt, I'll have 30,000 and i'm not too worried about it. If you live there for at least your first year you will feel as if you really experienced university. If i was to do it all over again, I would start my first year in rez for sure (I lived with some friends instead). I assume you have also taken into account the costs associated with commuting (you will also have to pack a lunch :| ) Suuuuuucccckky

I got through university debt-free. I worked to pay for tuition, etc. I wasn't eligible for any student loans.

[homesweetplanet]

What program are you going into, and what job do you plan on having when you get out? $7k a year can be an awful lot of debt if you're only making $20k per year afterwards.

[tokajim]

i think it depends on how disciplined you are as well.

i'm positive i'd never go to school if i lived 1.5 hours away. which doesn't help with making friends either.

truemana is right about making friends early on. immersing yourself into the school environment is highly recommended for making friends as well as your overall university experience.

that being said, it's probably wise to go check out the residence you might live in and make sure it's a comfortable environment. although i can't imagine it being worse than living with your parents in a one-bedroom apartment.

what i don't understand is why residence is so expensive. $10,000 a year? that's 5,000 per 4-month term, seems a bit pricy. i didn't take into account food but i'm sure you'd have to set some money aside for food even if you lived at home.

keep in mind that after first year you can live off-campus, which might only cost you 400-500 a month in rent. or, you can apply to be a residence don, and get free residence. it definitely won't be a 10k difference per year, probably just for the first year.

[sexyj]

res is really the only way to go 1st year, unless you live within 30 mins to the school

imagine your class is at 830 in the morning in the winter and having to wake up a 730 to get prepare... that's one thing that kept me in res :lol:


but on a seriously note, res DOES expand your social network which in terms could help your future...

unless you are a loner . . .

[deeplove]

Maybe I'm dense or something but how does living at rez vs not living at rez come to a "difference" in costs of $10000 (the diff. between +$3000 and -$7000). Do you mean rez cost, +meal plan +other miscellaneous stuff? ...i thought rez by itself was like $4500-$5500..meal plan of say $2000, thats still a bit away from $10k

[hello1214]

residence..but im also confused how you would pay extra 10k for res

[mself084]

One-bedroom apartment with your parents? Is that not a nightmare right there?

I'm sure chicks would dig that tho

[f00kie]

res is really the only way to go 1st year, unless you live within 30 mins to the school

imagine your class is at 830 in the morning in the winter and having to wake up a 730 to get prepare... that's one thing that kept me in res :lol:


but on a seriously note, res DOES expand your social network which in terms could help your future...

unless you are a loner . . .

7:30am is nothing. I've been waking up at 6:20am on weekdays and 6:35am on weekends all summer long. School will actually be relaxing for me: wake up time will be about 6:45am. I don't mind it at all, I'm quite used to sleeping less than 6 hours a night. All I need is one good night of about 8 hours of sleep per week, which I don't even get right now, and all is good.

[harvard_jd]

Maybe I'm dense or something but how does living at rez vs not living at rez come to a "difference" in costs of $10000 (the diff. between +$3000 and -$7000). Do you mean rez cost, +meal plan +other miscellaneous stuff? ...i thought rez by itself was like $4500-$5500..meal plan of say $2000, thats still a bit away from $10k



Residence - single room - $5,600
Meal Plan - $2,500
Misc. Expenses - $1,900 (cable in rez, laundry, soap, shampoo, personal items)

[harvard_jd]

One-bedroom apartment with your parents? Is that not a nightmare right there?

I'm sure chicks would dig that tho

I'm pretty much a loner. So this isnt that much of a big deal anyway.

[codex]

I'm pretty much a loner. So this isnt that much of a big deal anyway.

1. If you're a 'loner' then living in residence will do you a world of good... this is probably the only chance in life you'll have to experience this--why waste the opportunity? If you don't enjoy residence and don't feel that you've benefited from living close to school then you can always move back home for 2nd year.

2. The commute will be brutal during exam time and when big assignments are due--unless you have amazing time management skills and are able to study on public transit. Most first year university students don't fit this profile.

3. Money isn't everything... one year of living in residence isn't going to make any difference on your financial situation in the future. As above, the decision you're making now is only for the first year... you can always move back home in 2nd year if it's not for you, but you'll never know unless you give it a try.

4. Perhaps the 1-bedroom apartment is a hint... take it!

[deeplove]

1. If you're a 'loner' then living in residence will do you a world of good... this is probably the only chance in life you'll have to experience this--why waste the opportunity? If you don't enjoy residence and don't feel that you've benefited from living close to school then you can always move back home for 2nd year.

2. The commute will be brutal during exam time and when big assignments are due--unless you have amazing time management skills and are able to study on public transit. Most first year university students don't fit this profile.

3. Money isn't everything... one year of living in residence isn't going to make any difference on your financial situation in the future. As above, the decision you're making now is only for the first year... you can always move back home in 2nd year if it's not for you, but you'll never know unless you give it a try.

4. Perhaps the 1-bedroom apartment is a hint... take it!

I agree...try it, the worst is you won't like it and then you can move back "home" for 2nd year.. No damage done. You don't know if you don't try..I wish I could go to rez but its expensive and can't afford it (unless Im osap-ing even MORE..so I go to school in the city I live in). It sux when you have no choice (in my family its 3 vs 1 opinion. I kinda lost)...If I find a good partner and my work is stable I'd move out asap.

[hello1214]

Residence - single room - $5,600
Meal Plan - $2,500
Misc. Expenses - $1,900 (cable in rez, laundry, soap, shampoo, personal items)

by your calculations which would proably be pond road..that res is optional meal plan which mean you dont need to spend 2500 on the meal plan...even if it wasnt optional there are lower price meal plan options and buying groceries is cheaper anyways and since so close to home could always get food from home so you wouldnt need to pay for groceries
and really 1900 for misc expenses? cable? thats provided so thats 1900 for laundy, soap, and "personal" items

[Ultra-]

Depends how close to Scarborough Town Center you live. If you live near by, your commute will be much shorter by taking the Go bus (I would say 30-45 minutes. 1 hour tops). Not only will your ride be very comfortable, but time seems to fly on the Go bus. In this day and age, 1-1.5hr commute is normal.

Think about it this way: With the money you save, you can buy a book, nds/psp, mp3 player, etc to occupy yourself during your commute.

But in the end, it's your money so spend it how ever you wish.

[Truemana]

I'm pretty much a loner. So this isnt that much of a big deal anyway.


1. If you're a 'loner' then living in residence will do you a world of good... this is probably the only chance in life you'll have to experience this--why waste the opportunity? If you don't enjoy residence and don't feel that you've benefited from living close to school then you can always move back home for 2nd year.

2. The commute will be brutal during exam time and when big assignments are due--unless you have amazing time management skills and are able to study on public transit. Most first year university students don't fit this profile.

3. Money isn't everything... one year of living in residence isn't going to make any difference on your financial situation in the future. As above, the decision you're making now is only for the first year... you can always move back home in 2nd year if it's not for you, but you'll never know unless you give it a try.

4. Perhaps the 1-bedroom apartment is a hint... take it!

Listen to this man right here. Trust me, go into residence. Coming from experience I am $21,000 in debt and I do not in any way regret residence. It was way too much fun. Nothing of what I've spent (and wasted) I regret. I've spent a LOT on random things, but it's been really fun. There's a good chance you will regret staying at home and commuting but there's a very, very small likelihood you will regret going into residence and enjoying yourself with 5000 other people going through the exact same personal development as you.

[mself084]

Residence is the only way to go - it sounds like it costs alot ($2500 for a meal plan??? just do groceries every week and get a small plan instead) but it's worth every penny. The times you will have there will be amazing. I can't for the life of me see why you'd want to squeeze into a 1-bedroom about 90 minutes away from your school.

[Nukey]

Go in to res.

I live about 5 minutes away (by car) from the university I wanted to go to so I didn't move in to residence but I wish I would have. It's a great way to meet people.

Having program expenses (tuition, books, laptop, appropriate clothing, etc.) of well over $25,000 this year for school (and being in debt of course), I can say it's only money :D

As someone who missed out on res I would say that it's worth the extra money. You'll miss out on things like home cooked meals but it's trade-off for the experience.

Good Luck!

[Tilter]

Having the 8 months of privacy is a godsent. Maybe you can find a cheap $400-500 apt/month near by for ~8 months contract. Make sure you pack a homemade lunch (cheaper) and eat out on special occassions with buddies.

But if you're in 1st year, I definately recommend residence (on Campus) for AT LEAST 1 year. The networking you will do it amazing. Everyone is looking to meet people, and this is the time to do it when. You'll have an easier time adjusting to University Life, and you may even be able to find a way to manage to graduate debt free (apply for OSAP and throw the money in High Interest Savings account if you have to).

[Juice23]

i would def have to pick living on campus..commutes suck ass and are pretty depressing especially early morning commutes..living on campus will allow to meet more people and give you more of the college feel and the debt your taking on isnt super huge or anything

[mself084]

OP did you make a decision yet?

[spender]

I went to York 1991-1994, and I lived in residence (first Assiniboine which was terrible, but later Passy Gardens, which was new then). York is one of those "commuter campuses" where as soon as the weekend rolls around, most people leave. Things may have chnaged, but I sort of doubt it due to its location and lack of TTC. It was usually mostly deserted, more so than any campus I've ever been on. However, if I were to have gone there for undergrad, I think you'd almost have to live on campus if you wanted to take in any parties, extracurricular events (sports leagues) etc. Otherwise, you'd be too far away from the fun. The other thing I remember is not having a car the first year I lived there, I would ride route 106 (I bet that hasn't changed) to get to Keele (or was it another one) station. The commute to the "real world" was sort of brutal. In undergrad, you'd really want to live on campus. I went to Ottawa U for undergrad and that campus is practically downtown. This makes a huge difference to your fun level, but allowed students to live off-campus in the surrounding "student ghetto" much easier. For York, once more, you'd have to live on campus.

[Happy13178]

I have to weigh in on this....absolutely +1 for rez. You can always try to go for more bursaries and whatnot, and you may be able to find a part time job on campus or right around there to help offset the extra cost. I can't say enough, its one of those things you should do if you have the opportunity, and don't let the additional cost deter you. You'll love it.

[harvard_jd]

Yes, I have made my decision.

I stayed in rez for app. 5 days and decided to move-out because I found it completely filthy and nasty and I just couldn't take it anymore. I will loose the $300 deposit + about $100 for staying there for 5 days (prorated at about $20/day) which is nothing.... I would have been responsible for the FULL rez fee if I had stayed past Sept. 1st.

[perplexed_one]

although you get a fuller experience at rez, it doesnt mean you wont make friends or have fun if do commute. you can still stay after school and hang out.

only 10% of students live on rez.

[Sgt_Strider]

I don't think the OP will have any regrets living on campus. Unfortunately I don't have the same opportunity, but I did spent the summer living with some people in China and the experience was really good! If only I lived farther from UBC then this could have been an opportunity for me. Nonetheless, I got a glimpse on what campus life was like.