Financially speaking, it's a better idea to stay at home.

Experience-wise, it's a whole different game living on your own. A shit ton of freedom you never had is available. You can do anything you want (with obvious legal restrictions, haha) whenever you want. I say it's alot more fun living on your own, especially as a student.

But damn do the bills pile up. You might have random issues with your room mates (for example, my room mates owe me about $400 in energy bills that have been due for almost 2 months), but it's all part of the game.

For a first place, $300/mo, all inclusive is a deal. I don't know the cost of living where you are at, but here in Milwaukee, it's usually $400/mo (per person) not including anything. So you have $400/mo for rent, usually $75-$100/mo for utilities (in the winter months), $15/mo for cable/internet, etc. blah blah blah. It's alot of shit to deal with.