Well, it’s that time of year, folks. Even though it feels like the school year just started, students are already stuck with the age-old question: Where should I live next year?

Despite how it feels when leases are constantly getting snatched from under your nose, Penn State does have endless housing options.

There are hundreds of landlords and property managers across State College, Pennsylvania, all vying for your name on their contracts, or rather, your parents as your guarantors.

For those who still haven’t decided where they will rest their heads every night for the next year, a few of our staffers debated which option is best: on campus, downtown, or a drive away.

Tia Kaschauer: On Campus

I believe on-campus housing is better mainly because of the meal plan and the proximity to important locations it provides.

The meal plan is a huge part of living on campus.

If I’m hungry between classes, I can easily stop somewhere and use my meal plan to grab a snack or something to eat without going back home to make food.

Location is another big reason on campus is better.

Living on campus means I’m already close to my classes, the library, dining halls, and the stadium. I don’t have to worry about driving from an off-campus apartment, finding parking, or walking all the way from places like Frat Row just to get to class.

Also, I don’t have to worry about figuring out a lease. With off-campus housing, you have to deal with landlords, lease terms, security deposits, and other dumb stuff. With on-campus housing, that process is wayyyy easier. Unless they stick you with a random…

Maggie Alderisio: Downtown

I’m a big advocate for living directly downtown. I currently live across from the HUB right on College Ave., and it is the most convenient location I’ve ever had, honestly.

Living right downtown gives me easy access to both campus and everything you could need on College Ave., Beaver Ave., and beyond. My classes are all within a 15-minute walk, most of them less, and I can easily walk to all my friends.

My biggest argument for living downtown is how fun and lively it is. I have always wanted to live in a walkable city, and I love people-watching everyone going about their day.

Many people argue against living on the two main streets because of the cost, but I have always been able to find extremely reasonable places.

Sure, the high-rises will always cost more, but there are more affordable options on Beaver and College than people realize. In my opinion, the most important part of the housing search is looking through every possible option and thinking outside the box before you sign.

You don’t have to sign the first lease you see just because everyone else is.

There really are price points for everyone. Now, does my bedroom have a window? No. Does it have central air conditioning? Also no! But every day I get to walk down my stairs to College Ave. and be right in the action of State College.

Sean Regenye: Off Campus Outside Downtown

As a senior, I’ve experienced the three main living situations Penn State and State College have to offer: on-campus, downtown, and off-campus outside downtown.

It’s obvious which of these three ranks lowest — on-campus — because of certain *freedoms* you’re not allowed to have while living in Penn State-supervised housing. However, you may still miss out on freedoms while living downtown.

The main problem is there aren’t really any houses, so you’re almost guaranteed to be in an apartment. When I lived in The Edge sophomore year, all I wanted to do was sit outside, enjoy nature, or play games in a backyard during the nice weather. Instead, I was trapped in a box.

It wasn’t all bad sophomore year, and they say the grass isn’t always greener, but in this case, it was.

I live in a house off College Ave. with literally greener grass and the freedom to hang outside, have a fire, or toss the pigskin around without worrying about marking or denting the walls.

I step outside to walk to class, and I’m not hit with the hustle and bustle of downtown. Instead, I have a quiet walk among trees and grass, not sidewalks and high-rises.