I've been living in an apartment for three months now, and it's great to get out of the dorm, but it sure is different. I've complied a list of ten things I've learned and would have liked to know going into this quarter. Anyways, here it goes: Number 10 - Cost.

It costs around eight thousand dollars for three academic quarters to live in a average dorm room and eat on campus. That’s a lot of money. A proactive student can find a reasonable apartment at a reasonable distance to campus for around 350/month (4200/yr)…or you could live in a hole in the wall place (complete with actual holes in the walls) like mine and pay less than 250/month. That’s less money.

This is the same analysis I went through last year, and 4200 sounded a lot better than 8000, but that doesn't take into account food and utilities. I budgeted food for 50 a week and that's been adequate as long as I don't eat out too much and my roommate doesn't eat too much of my food.

It's utilities that are claiming too much of my paychecks. All these costs are split between my house mate and myself, but basic cable and internet is still $40 a month (no phone). Electric is about $25, and the gas heating costs for the winter remain to be seen but I am guessing it will be around $20 since we keep the apartment at near freezing temperatures. Also, we paid $100 at the beginning of the year for water.

Now this adds up to about 6000 (with rent of 350/month) for an entire year, which is at least $2000 better and 3 months longer than a dorm. The problem is that all dorm costs are just paid at the beginning of the quarter, and it's a lot of money but it's done with. In my apartment, rent is due on the first, my electric bill usually comes on the 8th, the gas bill arrives on the 18th, and the cable bill comes on the 24th. So every week I have a new bill to pay, but it's definitely worth it.

Lesson learned: apartment life is cheaper, but it sure doesn't feel like it.