I live in the outskirts of London, and i want to go to a london uni but i'm so torn on whether or not i should move out. i know i would save a HELL of a load of money - and it would be a struggle if i did move out considering my maintenance loan wouldn't even cover my rent (and my parents can't afford to help me out much) but i could definitley make it work if i had a job alongside my studies and budgeted. in addition, my parents would much prefer if i stayed at home as they still see me as their baby.
but my commute from home is an hour and a half at the least busy time of day, let alone at rush hour. i can imagine i'd be so demotivated to go to my lectures knowing i'd spend more time of the day travelling than i will learning. not only that, but i have heard several stories of people i know who have commuted to their universities for their first year and really struggled to make friends. i know it's not entirely out of your control and its up to you to put in the effort to make friends, but i know myself and that i'll probably struggle unless i'm right in the thick of it and having to interact with people, rather than just going home to the middle of nowhere after lectures. i also think i'd enjoy the independence living on my own.
is it stupid of me to waste all that money moving out? is it true that commuters tend to have it harder? someone help - i am SO torn.