Swarthmore College
- Off-Campus Housing

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Not a lot of Swarthmore students live off campus, and the few who do often get left out of campus activities, either because they are unaware of them or they are too lazy to make the trip back to campus. The “Swarthmore bubble” can seem pretty oppressive at times, so some students live off campus to escape the general campus scene and to live more independently. Another reason is to have a different social experience and pay less than living on campus. However, the campus is by no means commuter-friendly, so students who do live off campus tend to live very close.

It’s usually cheaper to live off campus than in the dorms, but despite the affordability of housing around Swarthmore, most Swatties live on campus. The reasons for this are that the dorms are quite adequate and provide a welcoming social environment, and Swarthmore is a strictly residential campus. So, students who are considering living off campus often choose instead to live on campus so they don’t miss out on the Swarthmore experience, even if it means living “in the bubble."

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Off-Campus Housing at Swarthmore College

cofitz

'15

Political Science and Government

N/A

Not Really Real

Something like 97% of students live on campus all four years.

Jan 25, 2012

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Off-Campus Housing at Swarthmore College

ddewald

'13

Psychology

2.7

C+

Very Sparse

There is not much off-campus housing, partly because so many people are housed on campus. There are a few apartments in the village of Swarthmore, and one three story building with very bad cleanliness and amenities that is cheaper than on-campus housing. Only a very small percentage of people choose to live off-campus, as it is possible to stay on-campus all four years.

Feb 23, 2011

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Off-Campus Housing at Swarthmore College

BrownThunder

'12

Biology

3.5

B

Save Money

You're required to live on campus your first two semesters. After that, a small percentage of Swatties do move off campus. Sometimes, it's for social reasons. For example, a lot of the hipsters/their friends live in this off-campus building called "The Barn". A lot of these people also moved because off-campus living is cheaper, and that's why people, in general, live off campus. Part of it is that you're not automatically on the meal plan anymore, but meal plan aside, I think it's also inherently cheaper living off campus as well.

Nov 12, 2010

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