Not sure where exactly to post this. Figured Cafe Corner was probably where it fit best.

So I have a big decision to make for housing for next school year. Not sure why Binghamton makes us do our housing so far in advance, but that's beside the point. I'm currently living in a suite on campus with 5 other people. For a month we've been saying that we're all going to stay together next year. However, a few days before group formation, my suitemates basically kicked me out and replaced me and my roommate with 2 other guys. So not only did they screw me over, they waited until the last minute to do it. I have two options now, and I need to decide what I'm doing before housing sign ups end on Tuesday.

My first option is to stay on campus, and just join a random suite. I'll be in the same area as my friends, and possibly even the same building. However I have no idea who I'll be living with. I'll still be able to participate in dorm-specific activities such as Co-Rec football, Dorm Wars, and Assoxination (a modified version of Assassin that usually consists of 100+ people in the dorm community and has a cash prize). I'll be able to walk to all my classes, which means I can wake up 5 minutes before class (which is what I've been doing this year). I'll have to share a room with one other person, and the bathroom and small common area with 5 other people. It will cost approximately $14,000 for housing and food.

My other option is to move off campus. If I were to move off campus, I'd be living with between 9 and 14 people (all upperclassmen), two of which I know, and the rest of which I don't know. We'd have the top two floors of a 5-floor building. There are 15 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, so we'd each get our own bedroom, and either our own bathroom or share a bathroom with 1 other person. The bedrooms are huge, much larger than the rooms on campus. We'd have an "events" room, with speakers and a projector. We'd also have our own private bar right next door, that our landlord said we can use to throw parties with 50-60 people whenever we want, as long as we clean up the next day. There is also a shuttle that will drive us to and from the bars/downtown on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from 9 PM to 4 AM. There's a private parking lot, so I won't have to worry about parking. There's a kitchen with a stove, oven, and 4 fridges. There's a laundry room that we'd share with the rest of the building (laundry is free). There's also a rooftop patio/deck thing. I'm sure there's a bunch of stuff I'm forgetting, but yeah, the place is really nice. Also the girls soccer team lives on the two floors below us, so that's a plus lol. It would cost $700/month, and we'd have to sign for 12 months. So I'd be paying $8,400, plus food and gas.

What do I do? I'm leaning towards going off campus, but staying on campus is much more convenient. I'd also have the opportunity to make more friends if I stay on campus. The off campus place is so nice though, and is cheaper than the s***ty on-campus suites.

I think it would have to depend on whether or not you'd want to share space with people that you don't know. Your roommates might turn out to be bad people and ruin the next year for you. Or they might be good people to live with. Would you be able to switch rooms if you ended up having problems with your roommates? 

Personally, I wouldn't leave it up to chance and I'd live off campus. I would much rather have my own bedroom and bathroom instead of sharing. 

The distance and activities most likely wouldn't be an issue for me.
Did you end up making a lot of friends because you lived on campus? Do you think you wouldn't had a lot less if you didn't live there?

Definitely off campus.
Binghamton has very expensive dorms and doesn't give you much for them. (My brother went there, so I know what they are like)

Find some room mates and rent a house. IMO, that's the best option.

I think you only care about the girls soccer team.

If the money isn't a problem, then it's totally worth it to live off campus.

Dorms are fun and that social experience and the enjoyment that comes with it will teach you things about yourself and others you'll never learn if you live off-campus.  I say live in the dorms for a year so you can always have that memory, good or bad.  The best stories from college come from the dorms and there's a certain level of joy that results in going through the whole process.

Roll the dice, be daring, go for it, live in the dorms, and you'll really appreciate the rest that life has to offer.  There's something special about living in a dorm and if you don't do it, you'll be fine off campus.  But you'll probably think about how you missed out on what other people get to talk and laugh about in college and later in life.

Dorms for a year, then get the h*ll out.

You may want to reconsider off campus living. That can be seriously expensive and more stress to worry about,(repairs,rent,landlord,etc.). And then you may be so broke you must live off of the college student staple,Ramen. At least with on campus,you are somewhat closer to your classes and the living situation may be cheaper.

But if you are a private person,like myself,off campus may be the way to go. Everything would be discussed if you are in a crowded dorm whether you wish it to be not. You also may have roommates that would be complete tools when it comes to decency,obligations,general upkeep,personal hygiene,etc. I think it depends on your financial situation and what you are willing to sacrifice.