Tufts UniversityOff-Campus Housing Summary

Written by Chris Cote

Chris Cote

Hometown

Ipswich, MA

Major

International Relations

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Moving off campus is both a blessing and a curse for most Tufts students. Every year, about 40 percent of the junior class goes abroad, in part to experience a different culture and in part to avoid searching for an off-campus apartment. As Davis Square becomes increasingly popular, rent prices near Tufts have almost no ceiling and are continually on the rise. More seniors are expressing a desire to move back onto campus for their last year, and this forces juniors to move off campus.

Renting can be difficult—utility bills become a worry, you have to consider the safety of the place you’re living, and you have to deal with often antagonistic landlords. However, many students enjoy the independence of having their own places, and living with friends can add to the comfort level and social dimension of the Tufts experience. Chances are you’ll make friends with at least a few upperclassmen who live on their own, and this can give you a better idea of what to look for when you’re deciding on housing for your later years. If you do choose to go for a house or apartment, it’s important to find roommates early and start looking as quickly as you can—September and October aren’t too soon to consider signing a lease for the coming summer.