OCL-Cost of living

When it comes to deciding whether to live on or off campus, the bottom line cost can be an important factor. But decisions are not as simple as saying one is cheaper than the other, according to Eleni Zatz Litt, director of the Office of Off Campus Living. Litt said the comparison between on- and off-campus housing can become rather complicated. Although living on campus may seem more costly at first glance, Litt said, many of the fees off-campus residents have to pay are included in the Residential Living bill. When living on campus, rent includes utilities such as electricity, which can run between $15-30 per month, gas, which can run between $20-40 per month, and heating costs, which could run as high as several hundred dollars a month, according to Litt. "Dollar for dollar, [money is] not as important as you want it to be," said Litt, adding that other considerations such as safety and convenience may outweigh the financial aspects of the decision. Litt also said that making a fair comparison between living on or off campus on the basis of cost is difficult because the number of options is unlimited. "Compare apples and apples," said Litt, "Don't compare living off-campus in a house with a single in the quad." As of this semester, a triple efficiency -- two bedrooms and a living room -- in High Rise North costs approximately $450 per month, according to the 1993-1994 University Rent Schedule. A triple efficiency apartment from University City Apartments would cost between $275-515 per month, according to the 1994 Office of Off Campus Living list of apartment rental costs. "When you put it all together, [living off campus] probably is cheaper," said Litt. Without someone to sublet the apartment or house to during the summer, though, the savings would be negligible, she added. "It's not just money," said Litt, "It's a big aspect, but convenience and conceptions of safety can be just as important."