Moving long distance for college--Good idea?

I live in North Carolina, and have always wanted to be in an urban area, particularly New York. I've visited once--two years ago--and it was everything I had hoped/expected it would be, and then some (and no, I'm not referring to tourist bullshit). Now that I'm entering my junior year of high school, I'm beginning to seriously consider colleges I would like to apply to, and one of my first choices is NYU.

I have two main questions, mainly for those with the experience:
1--Is moving away from home, immediately after high school, a good idea? I consider myself a responsible person, but there's an obvious bias, isn't there?
2--Is moving to NYC a good idea...period? I ask this because it seems most 'Moving to NYC' stories I've heard are hit or miss--either they love it and it was all they dreamed it would be, or they hated it and got beat down by not being used to the fast pace of the city, and had to move back. Many of the things people say they hate about NYC tends to increase it's allure, so I'm not as worried about being the latter. When the thought of going to college there (by myself) intimidates me, I rationalize by telling myself that I'd rather try and return home than not do it wonder what it would've been like.

When it comes to money, I'm assuming that living at one of the NYU Residence Halls would significantly reduce the cost of living in NYC...is this correct?

I'd like to have as much information as I can before making such an important decision, so thanks to any and all replies! ^_^

 

Go for it dawg, cities are where it's at.

 

I left home about six hours after I graduated and have no regrets. However, somebody on the internet can't answer this question for you because it is highly subjective. You're the only one who can really know.

 

The whole point of going to college is for an education, right?

Why not move across the country and immerse yourself in a whole different culture?

The Pacific NW where I am is about as close to heaven as you'll find anywhere in the US. Seattle, Portland, Eugene. All great cities with excellent schools, incredible scenary, and liberal ideas. I've lived up here for 25 years. I'll never go back to Alabammy with a banjo on my knee.

NYC ? Okay to visit. Wouldn't want to live there. For no amount of money.


x

 

I didn't come from a wealthy family, so I stay at home and went to the community college and transferred to one of the local universities in Philly. Is anyone helping you pay for college? If so, then I'd say go for it, but if you're paying it all on your own, then I'd think over the fact of being in debt for a large part of your life. I just took out the last bit of loans before I finish up my BS in Elementary/Special Education, which will leave me in about $25,000 in debt. You can always move somewhere after graduating. I plan to move to CO to teach. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck! <3

 

1--Is moving away from home, immediately after high school, a good idea?

I didn't move away from home right out of HS...... I stayed the summer and went to a university about 45 min away from my hometown... I went a semester and a half and ended up withdrawing because that college was not for me.... we had many differences in opinion and they pretty uch forced me to withdraw or they were going to flunk me because I had the goddamn flu. but anyways..... I rethought my plans... and thought I was going to go to a small community college near home... live home and just retest the waters.... but I took a risk and did what I REALLY wanted to do.... I moved to missouri lol... I moved from upstate NY to MO to go to school..halfway across the country... I hadnt been west of ohio my entire life and i moved to the midwest .. and although I haven't started here... I've been in Mo for about a month now and I'm the happiest I've ever been because I needed to move away... I needed not to have a safety net... needed the responsibility.... and I think it's something every person should do.... to lean to live on their own w/o the security of someone being right by..



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2--Is moving to NYC a good idea...period?
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My first choice college was right outside NYC in Hempstead... I had always wanted to go to hofstra and was accepted but decided to go to one near home because my parents didnt want me going there... it was a mistake I made... NYC is a nice place... there are certain spots to steer clear of , yes, but over all it's a great place to be.. any where you go there will be crime... it's a fact... so that should not deter you... follow your heart.. and do what you believe is right... dont give up on something you've wanted for so long b/c of distance....




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I'd rather try and return home than not do it wonder what it would've been like.

I like to hear that... because so many a time people have passed up things and came to wonder the what if's... keep that attitude.. it will take you far



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When it comes to money, I'm assuming that living at one of the NYU Residence Halls would significantly reduce the cost of living in NYC...is this correct?

This is very right.... the price you would pay for a room in a dorm at NYU you could not even come close to finding in or around the city... the cost of living is very high... if money is an issue do the dorm life... plus... it helps with a social life surrounding the school... dorm living is a great experience

I hope I was of some help... and I hope if you decide to go you have the time of your life in good ole ny

 

Money is the biggest issue. I moved from GA to Boston for college and go to one of the most expensive schools in the country and only got a 30k scholarship. Between transportation, food, books, dorm cost, and tuition not covered by the scholarship, I still over 25k to cover for myself. I lucked out and my grandfather offered to help at the last minute, but I was willing to shoulder over 100 thousand dollars in debt to get my education (because in my field, prestige does matter and I wasn't about to go slack off at a 13th grade school like UGA) because that's important to me. Most people aren't able to deal with that.

But moving away from home has been the best thing. Personally, I'm not a fan of NYU because it's not that great of a school but is just expensive (tuition and room and board was upwards of 40k, not counting books or airfare) because it has that name recognition. However, they have a study abroad program in Cuba which is extremely rare for most colleges, if that's something you'd like to do.

Going to college away is great too because chances are, there will be a lot of people from far away at the school. My friends who went to in-state schools only really met other people from Georgia. I now have couches to sleep on all over the world, literally, which was my most important thing when considering going to school away.

 

I'd Say If you want to then go for it. meet new people make different friends alll that good stuff

but what if you run into trouble mentally, emotionally or physically? who do you go to?

 

I commuted for my first year of college and it blows. I'm entering my sophmore year and I'm going to be living away from home. Although I'm not moving across the country (2hrs away), it's still not a backpack school. I think everyone who plans on going to college should live away.

Of course i haven't done so yet, so that could change. You know who you are, and if you think you could survive it. If it won't put you into financial hardship, the school offers a program you have a passion in, and you're mature enough to not have parental guidance. Go for it.