Students need to make many different decisions for college. For instance, students must carefully analyze the living options available for them. There are various apartment complexes on campus, each offering many different suites with varying price ranges. Furthermore, universities offer campus dorms. There are many factors that each student must analyze in order to find the best place to live for their situation.
Let’s look at the first option, living in an apartment.
According to Molly Zupan from the Daily Illini, apartments offer more space, potentially lower costs, more privacy, more freedom, and less regulations than dorms. Marco, who recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign states, “Living in an apartment is great. You have more room for your personal stuff, and it is typically cheaper than living in a dorm, but you have to worry about different things, such as food and how you get to classes.” Possible lower costs obviously would depend on the apartment complex, as they vary in price and there are also different regulations depending on the complex you choose. As great as apartment living sounds, there are disadvantages.
One of these disadvantages is that your apartment may be farther away from your classes. Dorms are typically closer to campus than apartments. Also, you have to think about your overall cost including utilities. According to the University of Illinois Tenant Union, “In a 3 or 4 bedroom apartment your monthly share of rent for a 12-month lease could be more than $500 plus utilities, or more than $480 per month plus utilities in a 2-bedroom apartment. This may be more expensive than the cost of living in the University residence halls.”
Other housing options available for students are dorms.
There are perks to living in university housing including a meal plan, being on campus, and not having to pay utilities. Danny, who lived in a dorm his first two years at college states, “I don’t believe dorms are as bad as people make them seem. Yes, you have restrictions set by resident advisors, but you also don’t have to worry about paying extra for your light, water, and other expenses. On top of that, most people who choose to live in dorms receive meal plans, so they don’t have to worry about food either.”
In conclusion, the argument between choosing an apartment or a dorm comes to personal preference. Apartments may be cheaper OR more expensive depending upon the specific situation and the additional costs for food and utilities. Advantages include more freedom and space, but disadvantages include worrying about food and distance to classes.