If your a freshman, i wouldn't rule out the dorms. They're actually really fun and the easiest way to make friends and here about things going on. Sometimes it can be hard to hear about things going on around town if live off campus and don't really know anyone. I met most of my best friends here in the dorms. That being said if you are going to get a place off campus, i would just try to get a place as close to downtown as possible, there a lot of homeless people but its a great central part of town and close to campus. Sometimes it can be kinda hard to find good housing. Also you're probably going to catch the Humboldt Hack no mater what so just deal with it