Thread: On campus Vs. Off campus housing!!

I am with the incoming May 2010 class and the advisors here in the states provide little information whatsoever about housing and living conditions. I am quite certain that the upper-class students have already experienced the initial shock/wake up call on how things really are in the Island and i wanted some advice. I don't know if it makes sense to pay a housing deposit and take my chances living on campus or look for something better. What's better? Based on available resources, price, utilities and all the extra unimportant intricates. Are dorm rules too much? Which apartments are in walking distance to campus and affordable? Bicycles vs. Scooters?

Please reply with as detailed of information you could provide.

I would say it's a good idea to live in the dorms for 1st Semester, then decide where you want to live. I chose to live a little further from school than most, about 10 - 15 min drive, and save a bunch of money on rent. (I paid $650 excl utilities for a 1 bedroom place right on the beach) Of course it has it's drawbacks, but there are also positives for 'getting away' from school. Sure I had to buy a car, but I sold it for about what I paid for it when I left the island so no loss there, plus shopping/island exploring was easy.
Most places within walking distance are $1000 plus pm, you just have to decide what will work best for you.

Originally Posted by Medskuul

I am with the incoming May 2010 class and the advisors here in the states provide little information whatsoever about housing and living conditions. I am quite certain that the upper-class students have already experienced the initial shock/wake up call on how things really are in the Island and i wanted some advice. I don't know if it makes sense to pay a housing deposit and take my chances living on campus or look for something better. What's better? Based on available resources, price, utilities and all the extra unimportant intricates. Are dorm rules too much? Which apartments are in walking distance to campus and affordable? Bicycles vs. Scooters?

Please reply with as detailed of information you could provide.

There's plenty of information you can find if you do a search for it. This question is answered almost every week. Just do a search for "housing" or "dorms" or whatever.

But to give you a rudimentary answer, the dorms actually happen to be one of the nicest places to live in/around AUC. So as someone who has not been to the island yet, paying the deposit and staying on campus your first semester is actually the safest chance you could take. Once you're here and have a chance to look at some of the surrounding places you can make a more informed decision about moving into a place that is cheap and to your liking.

Originally Posted by Itempest

There's plenty of information you can find if you do a search for it. This question is answered almost every week. Just do a search for "housing" or "dorms" or whatever.

But to give you a rudimentary answer, the dorms actually happen to be one of the nicest places to live in/around AUC. So as someone who has not been to the island yet, paying the deposit and staying on campus your first semester is actually the safest chance you could take. Once you're here and have a chance to look at some of the surrounding places you can make a more informed decision about moving into a place that is cheap and to your liking.

second....
safer yet would be to go to SGU

I say live in the dorms first, It gives you time to find a cool place so you don't have to rush it and its a good way to meet people living on campus.

It's not possible to live on campus if you plan on having say your girlfriend come with you is it? That's my situation if I choose to accept my September 2010 offer.

Originally Posted by adryden

It's not possible to live on campus if you plan on having say your girlfriend come with you is it? That's my situation if I choose to accept my September 2010 offer.

I believe that is correct. If you are planning on having a permanent guest with you (significant other, children, etc.) then you need to find off-campus accommodations. I would start by e-mailing the auc housing department (housing @ aucmed.edu) and asking them for the latest off-campus housing list - you will see a big list of most of the housing that is available around St. Maarten. Anything in the Cupecoy region will probably be in reasonable walking distance.

When I first came down here I didn't even put my name in the lottery for a spot in the dorms. I knew I wanted to live away from campus and have a place to get away from the stress of the school. Living in the dorms you would easily go days without being more than 30ft from campus. Day in and day out. Classes are already stressful enough and being constantly surrounded by that environment would probably have made me go insane. I've lived in the same spacious off-campus apt with a great view from day 1 and am so happy I made that decision. And it's cheaper than the dorms as well. That's personal my view on it.

Thanks folks!!!!

I was in the dorms for first semester and am currently in them for 5th. I would recommend them, but you should be aware that the internet provided in the dorms is subject to the same restrictions as on-campus. They're fine for classes, but I feel that they are borderline-draconian for residential internet. All ports blocked, various websites blocked, iTunes store, etc. blocked, no torrents, etc. Just one thing to keep in mind.