Dorms vs Apartments: What Suits Your Lifestyle?

When it comes to college living, one of the biggest factors a student has to consider is finding the right housing. This is crucial as it significantly impacts your overall university experience and shapes your personality. While dorms are often the options for first-year students, many students are now looking at off-campus student apartments from the very beginning. Well, both options come with their unique blend of freedom, responsibilities, and trade-offs. In this debate between dorms vs apartments, let’s explore the pros and cons and how they differ from each other.

Dorms vs Apartments: Difference

First up in apartments vs dorms, we look at the key differences between the two. Let’s first look at dorms, which are usually on or near campus. This makes commuting to classes and campus resources much easier. A dorm is a single room, with or without an attached bathroom. Dorms are usually furnished, with beds, desks, and utilities like the internet and electricity included, offering a hassle-free setup for students. In dorms, you have to share a room with a roommate and share common spaces like bathrooms and lounges with other floormates. Usually, dorms are smaller in size than apartments. Plus, there are a set of rules and regulations you must follow when staying in a dorm.   

In contrast, apartments offer more independence and privacy but require more responsibility. Apartments have more than one room and have separate bathrooms and kitchen areas. Apartments are located off-campus and require students to commute via bus or by walk. You get more independent when living in an apartment as you can cook your food, manage your groceries, and maybe even handle repairs or maintenance. With apartments, you can even choose your roommate or live alone for more privacy. Most of the student apartments offered by amber come with robust security like CCTV surveillance and gated communities, utilities are inclusive of rent, and amenities like a pool, games area, common lounges, wifi, and study areas.

Dorms vs Apartments: How is Life Like?

So, what is life like in a dormitory vs apartment? Life in a dorm is like being part of a constant social experiment – in the best possible way. With friends just next door, most of your days are filled with impromptu hangouts, late-night study sessions, and countless opportunities to make friends. Many dorms also host events, such as movie nights, study groups, and floor activities. Though dorm life lacks privacy with students navigating noise and distractions from other residents, it also offers an unforgettable college experience for students who value peers and a supportive community life. 

Apartment life, on the other hand, more closely resembles independent adult living. In an apartment, your typical morning will look like brewing your coffee in the kitchen while having a peaceful breakfast before heading to campus. Living in an apartment gives you more control over your space, routines, and atmosphere and lots of privacy, offering you a more homely feel. Most of your weekends might involve grocery shopping with roommates, cooking good food, and even hosting small gatherings with friends sometimes. If a quieter environment and more flexibility are your vibe, then an apartment can be the best fit for you!  

Dorms vs Apartments: Pros and Cons

Next up in apartment vs dorm are the pros and cons. Whether you opt for a dorm or apartment, there are pros and cons to any type of living. For example, while the proximity to universities that comes with staying in a dorm may be appealing, the lack of privacy may be the downside to this. Let's have a look at the pros and cons of apartments vs dorms! 

Living in a Dorm

In apartments vs dorms, we will first explore the pros and cons of living in a dorm. These are as follows:

Pros:

1. Strong sense of security, community, and belonging.
2. Ample opportunities for socialising.
3. Dorms are the ideal way to begin that journey into adulthood. Students will have a supportive network of resident assistants (RAs), counsellors, and other friendly staff
to depend on.
4. Exposure to different cultures and people. 
5. On-campus location makes it easier for students to manage their time. 
6. Dorm rooms are equipped with amenities like desks, beds, & wifi. 

Cons:

1. With so many people around you, there is always the inconvenience of a lot of noise and distractions surrounding you. 
2. Lack of privacy is one of the biggest cons of dorm living. 
3. Laundry issues and bathroom accessibility are another massive concern while living in a dorm. 
4. Lack of personal space is a common issue faced by students. You may not get as much alone time as you expect. 
5. Students are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations in place strictly. 
6. There are also chances of theft and misplacement of belongings in a dorm environment. 

Living in an Apartment

Next in dorms vs apartments is living in an apartment. Just like a dorm, staying in an apartment comes with its own set of disadvantages and advantages. Once you make your decision, you can find the ultimate guide for international student housing.

Pros:

1. Offers greater independence and privacy. 
2. There aren't any rules, other than standard rules put forth by landlords. 
3. A sense of responsibility is instilled in students, making them better citizens. 
4. More flexibility in terms of cost, especially if shared with roommates.
5. A variety of apartment options to choose from, depending on your preferences. 
6. Never have to worry about noise, disturbances, or distractions. 

Cons: 

1. Commuting is the biggest drawback of apartment living. You will have to figure out your mode of transportation. 
2. Selecting a roommate is also a concern. It can take months to find the right roommate!
3. The loneliness of living alone can get to you from time to time. 
4. Learning new responsibilities may be overwhelming for those not accustomed to independent living.
5. The cost of living in an apartment can be higher as compared to a dorm. 
6. The freedom to customise may depend on the landlord's policies, and in some cases, modifications may be limited.

Dorms vs Apartments: Cost 

To solidify your decision between an apartment vs dorm, another crucial factor to consider is the costs that are associated with them. The rent of living in a dormitory vs apartment can vary from college to college and the duration of the stay. Whereas, the locality, type, and size determine the rent for apartment living.

When it comes to living in a dorm at a university, the overall average cost for room and board in a four-year college or university is between $10,000 to $12,000 in the United States. Do keep yourself updated with the cost of living in the USA as a student to plan well. Remember that the payment only covers the fall and spring semesters, not the summer. 

Living in an apartment can save as little as approximately $600 per school year or as much as $6,000. But again, it all depends on the average cost of rent near the university, as well as the number of people sharing the apartment. When considering the costs of living in an apartment, remember that the average cost varies by location. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in New York would cost around $3,780 per month. And in Columbus, Ohio, the average rent would fall to $1,020 per month. 

Dorms vs Apartments: Tips for Choosing Between the Two

Lastly, on apartments vs dorms, we will walk you through a few tips that you can follow to choose between the two. Deciding between a dorm or apartment comes down to assessing your personal needs, lifestyle, budget, and location. Below are the tips you can follow to choose between a dormitory vs apartment:

1. Readiness for independence

You must first assess your readiness to live independently. If you’re new to living away from home, then dorms can provide a smoother transition. If you’re comfortable with managing day-to-day responsibilities and crave more autonomy, an apartment is best.

2. Financial capability

Budget is the next factor. Dorms often have a fixed cost that includes utilities, wifi, and meal plans, while apartments may have separate bills for rent, utilities, and other services.  

3. Location and Transportation

If you don’t have transportation, dorms might be the best option as it keeps you close to classes, dining halls, and campus activities. If you still choose apartment living, ensure to learn the bus routes and walking distances. 

4. Social Needs

Dorms offer an instant community with so many other students around. Whereas, in apartments, you may have few chances for socialising but a more controlled living environment. 

Hope this debate between dorms vs apartments will help you decide where to live when studying abroad. While both apartment vs dorm options have their own set of pros and cons, we're sure that whichever you choose, you will surely have the time of your life! Do learn about the difference between on-campus vs off-campus accommodation to make up your mind. So go ahead and start deciding!