I can attend 100% free BUT...

[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

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.