For college students, one of the biggest decisions they face is whether to live on or off campus. At Loyola University New Orleans and neighboring Tulane University, this choice can greatly affect cost, lifestyle, and access to campus life.
Tulane senior Isabel Souffront has experienced both.
“I lived on campus my freshman and sophomore years, and then I moved off campus,” Souffront said.
Tulane only requires students to live on campus for their first two years, and many, like Souffront, make the switch after that.
While off campus living offers more privacy and independence, it also comes with additional costs. Souffront pays $1,400 a month for rent, plus utilities.
“It might be more expensive overall because I pay for my own groceries and everything,” Souffront said. “You feel more like an adult when you’re living off campus.”
Loyola freshman Mary Ella Hastings, who lives in Biever Hall, offered a different perspective.
“I like living with so many people and building community,” Hastings said.
Despite dealing with maintenance issues, like leaks and inconsistent hot water, she appreciates being so close to everything.
“Even if we’re not in the same room, it’s nice to be able to just run back to my room if I forgot something,” Hastings said.
Mary Ella’s main concern, however, is the quality of the facilities.
“The ceiling in my bathroom was literally leaking this week,” said Hastings. “I think the school can’t expect everyone to pay that much for that low quality.”
Resident Assistant and senior Maleigh Crespo has lived on campus all four years. As an RA, she sees both the benefits and behind-the-scenes challenges of campus living.
“I think when people start to see how much the staff cares, they become more empathetic,” said Crespo, referencing maintenance delays and the portable showers provided during the recent hot water outage.
Crespo emphasized the convenience of on campus living as well.
“It’s really easy to be fully present here,” said Crespo. “My classes, my friends, The Maroon, everything is here.”
Still, she acknowledges that living on or off campus isn’t one-size-fits-all. It often depends on a student’s year, finances, and lifestyle preferences.
“I would say live on campus for at least two years,” said Souffront. “It kind of sucks sometimes, but it’s something everyone should experience.”
Whether it’s dealing with roommates, learning to cook, or submitting maintenance requests, housing in college is a learning experience on its own. For students at Loyola and Tulane, the choice between on-campus and off-campus life shapes not just their day-to-day routines, but how they connect with the larger university community.
