I feel it is better to live apart from your parents during college. College is designed to be a time of self exploration and questioning of your own beliefs, values and understanding. If you stay in the same home situation as when you were a child, your personal development may suffer. Living with roommates is definitely a learning experience, but I think it is a beneficial one. I lived in a dorm for four years while I was in school and I think it was a great decision for me. My college was located too far from my parent's home to reasonably consider commuting. The community environment, dorm life and the easy commute to classes enhanced my college experience. At times, I feel I learned more outside of the classroom than inside. I was raised in a conservative household and was somewhat sheltered. Living in a dorm exposed me more to the 'real' world than if I had even lived off campus in an apartment. I realize that every college and individual is different. I was a self-motivated student, so living away from my parents wasn't a problem. This wasn't the case for all my dorm mates. I think it really comes down to the goals of the student. If staying in a parent's home is too confining and the finances for living separately are available- great. If saving money and coming out of college with little debt is a priority- great. If a student wants to live with their parents for a few years, then move out half way through their college experience- great. Basically, the student needs to know what is best for them to obtain a good education- both socially and academically to become a stronger individual once their college experience is over.

I think roommates are probably the best option for most people. Obviously there are always exceptions, but I think a lot of people find this arrangement to be a good fit.

One reason roommates are popular is because they allow you to live in a place you couldn't normally afford on your own. I've known of people in the past who've rented some pretty nice places thanks to roommates. I even heard about one group who got a 5000 square foot luxury home in a swanky neighborhood (though it took four of them to pay for it).

Roommates either let you live in a really nice place, save hundreds of dollars a month to put in the bank, or both. It can make even more sense if you do it for a few years after college. I know someone who kept doing the roommate thing going after school and saved $30,000 in cash. That's not a bad amount of money to have in your early 20s.

Relatively few people need to live with their parents during college, but it is a good option for students with parents who are not likely to live for a long time or for students who plan to relocate somewhere far after graduation. If the parents are not in excellent health or are employed in a high risk to life environment, I think the student should spend as much time as they can with their parents while he or she can. A lot of people realize when they lose a parent that they would rather have less freedom than miss out on spending time with their parents. Anyway, when young adults move out, I think they should consider that once they start a career or having children, it will be difficult for them to spend a lot of time with their parents. This is especially the case if they don't plan on staying in your hometown.

It depends on the kid, the money situation and where the college is located. For many people the only way they can afford it is by living with their parents. For other people the college is so far away they have to team up with room mates or live in a dorm. IF money is no object, who wouldn't prefer to live alone?