Living in dorms, apartments or houses are all good options while staying engaged with the college lifestyle. Yet, with rent increasing throughout East Lansing, college students are turning to commute to classes.
Commuting is often forgotten about and sometimes even looked down upon. Though, in hopes to save money, some students prefer the option to commute from home to classes.
“My commuting experience so far has been great for me,” psychology sophomore Nathan Williams said. “It’s a cheaper alternative and a lot easier.”
Williams is a first-year transfer student this fall from Lansing Community College, or LCC, and said MSU helped him finally feel like part of a community.
“My college experience has changed quite a bit,” Williams said. “Back at LCC there was hardly any interaction at all with students, but here at MSU that’s totally different. Even though I’m not living on campus, I still attend events and try to be a part of this community.”
Every day Williams has class, he walks to his bus stop in Lansing and takes the bus into campus. Taking the bus is a better move financially for him and poses less challenges and stress.
English and language studies freshman Molly Weaver, who lives in Holt, received a housing exception from the university, allowing her to commute to campus. She said her father is more than willing to drive her to MSU any time she needs.
Her experience at MSU has been neutral, she said. She enjoys seeing her cats at home, but doesn't feel as involved with the university.
“I try to still do clubs here at MSU and find time to hang out with my friends after classes, so it’s not like I’m completely cut off or separated,” Weaver said. “Though, I do have more of a constrained timeline of when I have to get back, which can sometimes be difficult.”
Weaver also said the financial aspect is a major benefit to commuting as well, as it's more affordable by a “substantial amount.”
Weaver plans to commute until she feels independent enough to rent out an apartment or house.
Human capital and society senior AJ Dillon said he considered commuting, but thought his college experience would've "been ripped away" from him.
“My first year was online because of COVID, so it feels like I’ve only been to college for 2 years," Dillon said. "I still desire to get that up close, in-person college experience."
Dillon rents out an apartment at University Edge with three of his high school friends. He said the rent is expensive, but “definitely worth it.”
"There are a lot of benefits to my apartment, like the location, the parking space for my car, having my own bathroom, and the amount of space that I have," Dillon said. "So overall, I’m happy.”
Dillon's father commuted 45 minutes to MSU in the late '90s, saving him money but also adding unwanted hassle, something Dillon didn’t want to go through.
Psychology junior Zoe Langley agreed with Dillon, that commuting is an “irritating inconvenience.”
“The cost of gas is ridiculous, and I wouldn’t have any friends if I commuted," Langley said.
Langley rents a house off campus with her four roommates, paying around $550 per month. She said the rent “is cheap for what I’m getting.”
“Living in a house has been good so far, and I don't have any complaints,” Langley said. “I like it way better than living in the dorms, and I like having my own room and being able to cook for myself and make food.”
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Langley's favorite part of living in a house is having her cat, EzMai, by her side every day. She also enjoys the driveway to park her car and the independence in renting a house.
