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Should You Relocate for College?

As our children grow up and begin to approach college age, it is natural for us to start to think about the many options afforded to those preparing to apply for a place at any of the nation’s higher education institutions. For many college students, the experience represents their first true experience of adulthood and as such they are often eager to demonstrate their new found independence by moving far, far away and enrolling in a university located across the country. Not everyone is suited to this way of doing things, though, and increasingly, prospective students are, quite rightly, basing their decisions on the performance of academic institutions and selecting one that they feel has something to offer their chosen field of study.

Should You Relocate for College?

It is now easy for anyone to look up a university online and receive a detailed breakdown of their performance metrics. The nation’s very best universities like to put this kind of information at the front and center of their efforts to recruit new students while those that are more reluctant to share often have their own reasons for doing so, but are ultimately fighting a losing battle as the internet has made much of this public information instantly and easily accessible.

Saving Money

Modern families are therefore faced with the decision of whether to relocate for a child’s college years, and this approach is becoming increasingly popular with all kinds of demographics. Some prefer this approach as it allows money to be saved on paying for student accommodation as well as keeping families closer together and relieving some of the stress that new students will inevitably feel when they first embark on their college journey.

Move to a Leading City

Another factor that is driving this trend of relocating for college is that many of the nation’s best educational institutions are located in the most desirable areas of the country to live in. Boston is a fantastic example of this, playing host to three of the nation’s leading universities. Harvard, MIT and Tufts universities are not only national leaders in education, they are also world renowned institutions whose reputation reaches all corners of the globe. Despite the presence of three leading universities, and a host of other desirable infrastructure and cultural buildings in the city, Boston apartments remain competitively priced and the city has some of the highest living standards in the United States.

Is It the Right Move for Your Child?

Some parents worry that relocating to the same city that their child attends university in, even if the child opts to find their own accommodation during that time, could risk smothering their child and having a detrimental impact on their wellbeing. You should discuss with your child what their preferences are as the most important thing to consider is always going to be their comfort and ensuring that they are in the best possible position to succeed in their studies.

Whether you choose to relocate to be nearer your child during their time at college or not will ultimately depend on your individual circumstances and for many families, relocation is impractical. However, it is something you should consider and is an option that an increasing number of families are opting for.

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