Living Off Campus: Argumentative Essay Example

Pros and Cons

There is a certain allure to the freedom that living off campus can bring, not to mention the independence that also results. However, living off campus does present its own challenges, as columnist Dana Mattioli lists below.
In her article, “The Pros and Cons of Living Off Campus”, Mattioli goes on to paint a vivid picture of a dormitory in which there is little personal space, cramped quarters to study, live, eat, and shower in, and conditions that are akin to some prisons in how they are regulated. Yet for all this there is the list of cons that come with living off campus, such as off campus housing tending to be a further travel from class to home and vice versa (Mattioli, 2007) There is also a disconnection from the social scene, though this could be debated regarding the fact that there might be roommates or neighbors to rely on for social interaction.
The pros no doubt outweigh the cons, as the price of freedom often costs less than the price of confinement. Mattioli goes on to state that it costs almost $7,000 for room, board, and an education per year, and almost $8,500 at private institutions (Mattioli, 2007). A one-bedroom apartment can cost far less, leaving money for other matters such as bills and food.
There is no doubt far more freedom as Mattioli explains throughout her article when it comes to living off campus, but there are drawbacks to consider. The cost of transportation versus the cost of annual tuition, the peace and quiet versus the social scene of a dorm, all of these factors are carefully considered by many students when deciding where to live.
Having no doubt gone through much of this process, Mattioli is no doubt quite an expert as many students become, and likely as not the pros and cons weighed very heavily in her decisions on where to live. It is a quandary that many students figure out by their first year.

Works Cited

Mattioli, Dana. The Pros and Cons of Living Off Campus. The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones
& Company, 21 March 2007. Web. 15 Feb. 2015