Off-Campus Housing
By: Gabrielle Bernabe
As each class coming into the University of Saint Joseph gets larger, there needs to be more space for everyone around campus. Last year, USJ began to offer students off-campus housing by partnering with Millennium apartments.
Located in downtown Hartford and only a 12-minute drive from campus, this housing option is offered exclusively to upperclassmen and gives USJ students more freedom and a closer look at what post-grad living could be. To learn more about what life at the Millennium is like, I sat down with Sara Noble, a psychology and child study major, to hear about her experience. Here are some snippets from our conversation:
“So, how many people are in off campus housing?”
“I’ve ran into close to 50 people from USJ, (but) I’m not really sure,” said Noble.
As this is a relatively new program, it is not surprising that the number is still lower and not fully confirmed. It is expected to increase in the coming years, which is exciting.
Next came a very important question: “What is the grocery situation like for you?”
“I don’t have a meal plan on campus. I shop from BJ’s. Buying in bulk helps you save money and grocery trips. I grocery shop once every two weeks,” explained Noble.
USJ also offers Flex Dining for Millennium students, which allows for 48 HelloFresh meals to be delivered This makes deciding where to eat significantly easier. Buying in bulk can also be a helpful strategy for college students, as it saves money and reduces the number of shopping trips needed.
“What is the quality of these apartments like?”
“I haven’t experienced a flaw with the apartment yet. Everything is very modern and up to date,” Noble reported.
Luxury apartments often seem to be the norm when searching for housing in the city, but the amenities at the Millennium appear especially appealing.
Finally, “How do you feel being off campus, compared to being on campus? What are the pros and cons?”
“I prefer being off campus. Having the option of having my own room is amazing. [With] being able to control my diet, and not having to only stick to what the dining hall provides,” said Noble.
Choice seems to be the biggest thing that is highlighted in Noble’s answer. College provides a level of freedom that many students are not used to at a young age, but as one figures oneself out—which is a major part of the college experience—It becomes easier to understand the type of independence one needs.
All in all, the Millennium serves as a way to have more freedom and bridge the gap between college life and young adulthood. To learn more about off-campus housing, visit USJ’s website about university-sponsored housing.
https://www.usj.edu/student-life/living-on-campus/university-sponsored-off-campus-housing/