[Chad]

Article Revisit: Housing Series

Moving into a new place for the summer, or planning on moving out in September? Be sure to read up on our exclusive MacInsiders series and articles with advice and tips for your time at your new place! Are you going to be moving into Residence? We got you covered too!

Guide for Beginners Just Getting Started

• 4 Tips to Successfully Find Off Campus Housing By USMAN YOUSAF

Off-Campus Housing Series by Danielle Lorenz

• Part 1: Intro
• Part 2: Who to live with
• Part 3: Where to live?
• Part 4: What to look for when finding a place
• Part 5: What's included? (Lease)

Things to bring to:

• The Bedroom
• The Bathroom
• The Kitchen
• The Laundry room
  
• The Front closet
  
• The Common room

Also check out:

• Surviving Your Roommates
• Dining Off Campus
• The Hamilton Bar Scene: Pubs
• The Hamilton Bar Scene: Clubs
• Looking for Off-Campus Housing?

Residence:

• Residence Survival Part 1: What to bring
• Residence Survival Part 1.5: Apartment or Suite Style Checklist
• Residence Survival Part 2: Freshman Fifteen
• Residence Survival Part 3: Rules!
• Residence Survival Part 4: Getting Along With Your Roommate
• Residence Survival Part 5: Studying While in Residence

ALSO CHECK OUT: WHAT TO BRING (lists by students):
http://www.macinsiders.com/showthrea...9.html?t=29659

PREPARING FOR MOVE-IN DAY: http://bit.ly/2jnbmQs

[mitski]

If you can afford it, LIVE ALONE

- you will NOT miss out on any 'house university' experience. No one really remembers these times a year later, and after you graduate it will be a distant memory. The pros far outweigh the cons

- everyone needs a place they can just go, sit back, and take a break from being surrounded by students 24/7
- you will sleep much better and will not be woken up late, or too early by others alarm clocks or coming home late, at no fault of their own
- you will avoid ALL conflict that WILL exist between: cleaning, bathrooms, parties, long staying guests, fridge space, cupboard space and so much more
- you have a place of your own, you can decorate just how you feel, you can bring friends over. The parties you can throw can be the best parties
- things will be exactly as messy or clean as you want

[Chad]

Originally Posted by mitski

If you can afford it, LIVE ALONE

- you will NOT miss out on any 'house university' experience. No one really remembers these times a year later, and after you graduate it will be a distant memory. The pros far outweigh the cons

- everyone needs a place they can just go, sit back, and take a break from being surrounded by students 24/7
- you will sleep much better and will not be woken up late, or too early by others alarm clocks or coming home late, at no fault of their own
- you will avoid ALL conflict that WILL exist between: cleaning, bathrooms, parties, long staying guests, fridge space, cupboard space and so much more
- you have a place of your own, you can decorate just how you feel, you can bring friends over. The parties you can throw can be the best parties
- things will be exactly as messy or clean as you want

You list some points that are definitely issues living with housemates (cleanliness, being distracted, etc)... but from my own personal experience, I lived in a student house in my upper year at Mac and loved it. Yes, there were a lot of those things you mentioned, but I think the positives of being able to socialize, have more fun with others in the house, meet new friends and get to know them well, and the lessons you learn from your experiences with others, are worth it I don't think I would have had as enjoyable of an experience at McMaster if I had lived alone in a single bedroom apartment and isolated myself.