Is it easier to stay at home or stay at uni?

The problem here is which university is better for her, not the concern with the relationship if she stays or goes. You two are young, anything can happen in your relationship, your education, however, can and will determine your future. So should she give up her future for the relationship? At this age? No. If the university that is better for her happens to be the one you are going to then by all means, get the flat. If it is the one that is far away, then she should go. It does not mean your relationship HAS to end, you can still see her during the summer breaks (they are much longer than that of high school’s breaks). See, only time I would understand a discussion on the decision on such a situation is between married, common-law, or long term relationships (with plans for the future). Then, the other partner should have a say in whether one of them should or should not go away for the sake of the relationship. But at 18, and still in school, as much as it hurts, it’s not worth giving up her future for a relationship. Now, it definitely does not mean that if she goes away this relationship won’t work. I don’t do long distance myself, but I have seen it work for the whole four years of university for one of my friends. Her boyfriend goes to school all the way in Ottawa while she remained in Toronto. They only got to see each other during the summer (May-August), but they are and have still been together since year 1 and are now graduating. So it could definitey still work out between you two if you two are serious enough and willing to put enough work into the relationship but the relationship should definitely not hold either of you back from what’s best for the each of you.