Would you rather,
a) Apply for an out of town college, thus moving out
or
b) Apply to a local college, this being able to go on a big trip before school starts...but you're still living at home.

I'm trying to decide what I'd rather do! I want to Germany in the summer...but at the same time I'd like to go away for school. At this point, there's no way I can afford both.

There's alot of variables left in play there. What's your major? How far away are you going to have to move? Are there any local colleges that even offer what you want to study? What's the job market for your major near you - are you going to have to move to have a decent shot at the job anyway?

I would rather go on the trip and stay at home, personally. I can't say that I've done either because when I started college I was living on my own in my the same city I grew up in. I think that you could probably have the opportunity to transfer to an out of town university later on and that going on a trip would be a nice way to relax and have a good adventure before beginning classes.

A, A, A. Moving out and living on campus is a COMPLETELY different experience than going to school and living at home. I am infinitely glad I did it and there is nothing else like it.

Although, I'm with T - there's a lot more variables in play. Also...

There are many variables involved here, but I'll just add my two cents anyway.

Generally speaking, going away to college is a once in a life time opportunity. Obviously, many people live at home and commute, or go to community college and then transfer later on, but you are only this age once.

The Freshman year experience is priceless. There will be many, many, opportunities to go to Germany, in fact, you may find going away to school affords many networking connections you'd never considered or even knew existed. I bet you can do both, perhaps not the way you imagined, but think outside the box.

Keep On Dancing*

Move out of your parents' hours for college. Period. There's no debating here.

There will be ample opportunities to travel in your 20s, 30s, 40s, etc if that's what you want to do. I don't buy expensive clothing or go out to dinner - I save up for plane tickets. You can not go back and do your undergraduate college experience again. You can always travel later.

I agree with Christine and DefyingGravity. A large and invaluable part of the college experience is living on campus, in my opinion. I have few regrets in life but I do regret living at home and commuting to college. You miss out on a lot. Commuter students don't have the same college experiences as resident students, and I don't mean partying. One of my kids is a new college grad and one is a college freshman. We often talk about how much they learned/learn living at college. It's a real education in itself to live with people who are not your family. I'm not saying it's heaven every day but both of my kids got/are getting much out of it. You get to know people on a whole different level when you live with them. My kids have formed deep friendships with other students and have gotten to know people they never would have known if they were commuting, as did my own sibling who lived on campus. As has been said, you can go to Germany another time. You cannot replicate the freshman resident student experience if you miss out on it.

I lived at home my Freshman year, so I am a bit biased.

Here is what I did for my college experience.
The first 1.5 years I lived at home and saved every penny. I travelled during this time, but I mostly put the money into savings.

Then my Junior/Senior year I moved out on my own.( Transferred to a different school) If I didn't save the money for the first 2 years of college, I don't think I could be living the lifestyle that I am living now. I see a lot of college students struggling financially, living with roomates etc.
Because I sacrificed 2 years by staying at home, I am able to live in a beautiful one bedroom apartment all by myself.
The way I see it, I sacrificed the first 2 years, for delayed pleasure that I get now.
I have never had the Freshman experience in a dorm, so I would listen to other members for the opposing view point from mine. I can see both sides of the argument.

I failed (and not just academically) by moving to school. I was not ready, plain and simple. If I had it to do again, I would've stayed home and commuted to college. My kids did and both will graduate university with no debt. (A very point important in today's economy!) Son moved out for grad school. While an undergrad he took several trips out of the country and worked out of state for several stints at high tech temp jobs. He has been happy with his choices. Daughter was only 17 when she graduated HS. She really needed more time before moving away. Her choice, not mine. She is preparing to move out and making good progress.

I see nothing wrong with living at home for college as long as you have a positive, supportive home environment with your family and are allowed the freedom to explore your independence. However, sometimes families can be stifling or controlling and in that case, it might be good to consider moving out. Without knowing your family dynamics, it's hard to say which might be best for you.

kk~