Transitions. We all go through them, whether it’s moving to a new place, new school, or even a different job. My transition this new school year is finally moving out of the dorms and into a townhouse that is miles outside of downtown in Beaverton.

What’s the plus side of living off campus and in an actual townhouse? A kitchen! I have been able to cook something other than that $1 mac-n-cheese we college students have come to love. Having a freezer that works has been unbelievable; now I don’t have to worry about cleaning melted ice cream off the bottom of my fridge.

I had to spend $215 on a MAX pass, but it beats the $300+ for parking on campus. Also, being able to bypass Highway 26, where countless cars are just waiting for their turn to get in and out of downtown, is a benefit of taking light rail. And my rent is about $3000 cheaper than in the dorms for one year.

Living in the on-campus dorms had many advantages, too. Being able to roll out of bed and go to class within ten minutes was the best by far. Now I have to wake up a whole two hours before my classes even start, so adapting to going to sleep and waking up on time has been difficult.

I’m sure I will love my new home as the year continues; after all, I am saving a lot of money.