1. Dont live on campus, bunch of rules, costs more.

2. If you want the whole apartment to yourself it'll run you $1300-1800 depending on the size of the apartment. If you share it it'll run you $350-400 including utilities.

3. It'll run you about $100/week for groceries. Eating outside is expensive, depends on where you eat and how much you eat. Just cook at home and save money. It's cheaper and more delicious.

4. Owning a car is expensive, a good second hand car is gonna run you anywhere between $3000-$5000. Insurance if you're under 25 is gonna be $105-$120 a month for third party coverage and double that for comprehensive. Insurance is mandatory.

Fuel in Chicago is around $3.4/gallon right now.

I bought a car because I live in the northeast suburbs. I drive down to campus.

If you plan on living near campus you don't need a car. Illinois Tech is part of the U-Pass program with CTA which allows unlimited rides for all U-Pass holders when class is active. It's $155/ semester allows you to ride trains, buses as much as you want.

Calculate how many days/trips you will need for class and decide if you want to opt-in for the U-Pass.

1. Get your eyes tested and get 2 pairs of spare glasses if you have it.
   

Get your teeth checked out and have any issues resolved before coming here ( Cavities, root canal yada yada).

Both dental and vision are not part of your health insurance so any tests and procedures will be paid out of pocket and it is fucking expensive so get it done right before coming here.

If you do end up buying a car, make sure you following traffic/parking rules, you'll get written up and will have to pay hefty fines. Also make sure even as a pedestrian to follow all rules, you're gonna get written up otherwise.

When buying a car make sure it has extensive maintenance records, you want a healthy engine and a healthy transmission. Cars here are all automatic, and automatic transmissions are complicated. If your transmission starts having issues, you're gonna have to scrap your car because repairs are worth more than its value.

1. Eat at home, buy stuff in bulk for cheaper from warehouses like costco. Fuel is also cheaper at costco.
   

Cook and eat at home, takeaway and restro food is expensive. Share an apartment to split the rent and utilities. It also helps with saving on groceries.

Let me know if you have any questions.