Dorm Vs Apartment: What to Choose for Moving?
After a long day in class, most students only think about one place, home. If you’re still in high school, the home could mean staying with your parents. However, if you’re in college, you will likely have to get your own accommodation and face a hard choice: a dorm or an apartment. If you’re a freshman, chances are you will find it difficult to decide, especially as you might not have experienced these two options. So, with that in mind, we came up with this article that approaches the subject of dorm vs apartment from the average student’s perspective.
Dorm Vs Apartment: 8 Things To Consider
Before we dive into which one is better, a dorm or an apartment, let’s first take a second to understand what both these options mean. A dorm, or dormitory, is a sleeping place for students, usually a single room. They are often small and sometimes don’t have bathrooms and kitchens attached. Said spaces are usually shared by the dormitory residents. On the other hand, apartments are usually larger and contain most, if not all, essentials, such as a bathroom and kitchen.
Now that we have established the meaning and fundamental difference between a dorm and an apartment, it’s time to discuss which one to choose. The truth is, there is no definite answer. However, by considering the factors below, you should be able to tell which one to choose for moving:
• Privacy
• Space
• Amenities
• Rent
• Social life
• Chores
• Utilities
• Resident Advisor
1. Privacy
If you value having a private place to relax, then an apartment might be the best option for you. Of course, there are single-room dorms for just one or two residents, but freshmen usually don’t get them. So, if you plan to work on your essays in peace and quiet, this might not always be possible in a dorm. However, Top Essay Writing academic writers can help you no matter where you live. All you have to do is place an order on their website, provide all the necessary information the writer might need, and in as little as 3 hours, your plagiarism-free, top-quality essay will be complete.
2. Space
For most colleges, whether you stay in a single dorm room or a shared one, you will likely have to manage a small space. This could mean you have to take a lot of time planning the things you keep in your room. If you’re learning to play an instrument or keep plants, it would be better to get an apartment. Your own space can be arranged to suit your needs, and you don’t have to worry about your personal items getting mixed up with that of your roommates.
3. Amenities
Aside from having a place to sleep, most college dorms provide students with many free amenities, such as a swimming pool, a gym, and much more. This isn’t to say that apartments don’t also offer similar amenities, but they usually aren’t free. College dorms provide you with more opportunities to save money, and because of donations, you might find that most college amenities are among the best.
4. Rent
College dorms are often much cheaper than apartments. One of the reasons is that they are often shared spaces, and colleges also receive donations that help reduce student costs. On the other hand, an apartment can cost a lot of money. Especially the closer it is located to the college campus. If you can afford it, this might not be an issue, but if you’re looking to save some cash, then college dorms are the way to go.
5. Social life
An apartment will give you privacy, but that often means you’re less likely to socialize. You can bring a friend over, but unlike in a college dorm, most of the time, you will be on your own. College dorm rooms can have several occupants. Interacting with your roommates and their friends can be an easy way to make new friends and socialize. It will also allow you to learn more about your environment. So, if you prefer being around people, a dorm is the way to go.
6. Chores
With college dorms, you have fewer chores to deal with. Now, this doesn’t mean you won’t have to clean your room, but cooking, which can be very stressful, won’t be your responsibility. Many colleges offer meal plans to their students. When food is ready, you get a message on your phone, and after eating, you don’t have to wash the dishes. However, that depends on the college, so research that beforehand.
Also, most schools include laundry services, which are either free or cost very little. However, with apartments, this is the opposite. Unless you have the budget to be eating out regularly, you will need to cook and clean up after yourself.
7. Utilities
With an apartment, you have to pay for utilities. This includes water, electricity, and heating. Constantly ensuring you don’t forget to pay can also be an unnecessary burden, especially considering your academic responsibilities. On the other hand, college dorms have all these utilities handled on your behalf. All you need to do is pay rent, and you don’t have to worry about a thing.
8. Resident Advisor
We all hope never to face an emergency, but sometimes there’s little we can do to avoid it. You don’t want to be alone when faced with a serious problem. Colleges understand this, which is why there’s always a resident advisor around to provide guidance, especially during times of emergency. Some apartments also have a resident advisor, but with colleges, you can rest assured everything is accounted for.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when choosing between a dorm and an apartment. If you value privacy and have the financial stability to handle rent and utilities and time to do chores, then an apartment would be great for you. However, if you prefer interacting with people a lot, you don’t have the time for chores, and you like free amenities, then a dorm is what you should be considering.
You May Also Enjoy
Top tips to make your home winter-ready for a successful sale
Propertymark Annual Sales Price Report 2025
Lloyds reveals its 2025 housing hot spots
2025: A landmark year for UK renters and homebuyers – what consumers need to know
Are ‘for sale’ boards becoming obsolete?
