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I joined my chapter when we were a colony. I was a junior at the time, and the first year that we had a house that was livable was my senior year. I had already made a commitment to an apartment for senior year during my junior when it was time to sign contracts for living in the house. Plus I had already lived in an apartment for two years, so I thought it would be odd to go from apartment to sorority house.
One thing I really regret about not living in the house was the bonding I missed out on. I still saw and hung out with my sisters a lot, but the girls who lived in the house kind of shared a special bond. The other thing I regret was the food. Man, I should have taken advantage of one more year of having someone to cook for me! (Out of housers could only eat at the house twice a week).
Then again, there were upsides to living off campus. First of all, there was a bit more freedom. For example, my fiance spent our last semester at school student teaching in his home town. However, he was still required to be on campus during the first week and last weeks. So he stayed at my apartment for that first and last week (and the weekends he came to visit). Had I been living in the house, we would not have been able to do that. Also, it's very nice to have your own room and a lot more of your own space.
On my campus, you stay in the dorms your first year, then if you go Greek, you move to your chapter house for sophomore year. A handful of juniors (and a senior every once in a while) will stay in the house one more year, especially if they have a position that required them to do so. But, the majority of juniors move out into apartments on campus, usually with friends from the chapter.
Also, about seven or so blocks west from the quad, there is an area where there are a bunch of houses available for rent. It's kind of got the nickname of "Seniorland" because Greek seniors rent out those houses. Obviously, they are not official chapter houses, but each house kind of becomes known as the XYZ senior house or the ABC senior house.
I really wish I would have lived in the house for a year. Although I'm sure I would have liked apartment life better, I still regret not having that experience. I have and will continue to recommend living in to every PNM I meet!
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