Everyone comes across this question when they go to college one time or another. However, times are changing and even if apartments are more cost-effective, that doesn't mean that dorms are clearly inferior. In this article, I'm not going to compare the social environment, but instead, I'm going to compare the costs and benefits of dorms in relation to apartments.
Number One: Location
Some dorms in New York University are a three-minute walk from your first class, others are a three-minute train ride. However, what makes Manhattan interesting is that the land is divided into multiple sections in which the ridiculous price fluctuates even further. To most individuals, $2000 per month for an apartment is very expensive.
However in New York City, that is the baseline for a cardboard box! (figuratively speaking) Generally, the more expensive areas are Greenwich Village, the East Village or apartments near Columbus Circle. While neighborhoods that have a lower cost are usually in Harlem or Washington Heights. Not all apartments are created equal and for a lot of individuals, the lower cost of living in Upper Manhattan, like in Washington Heights, is worth the train ride and hundreds to thousands of dollars saved.
Number Two: Amenities
Amenities are cool little features that come with your apartment. And you should always look at these in addition to the price of rent. Do you have working heat or electricity in your home? Does your rent include electricity, or does it only include the basics such as heat and gas? Do you have laundry in your building.#? Does your new apartment allow for pets? Does it even have a doorman or a super (kind of like a property manager)?
It's vital to answer these questions because laundry can be a physical nightmare if you have to walk miles just to find the nearest cleaner. Dorming is a lot simpler because electricity and water usage are included in your tuition. However, in an apartment, not all of your amenities are included in your rent. When you're looking for your apartment, you should always compare the amenities of the apartment you live in with those of your local dorms.
However, even though most apartments don't package the cost of electricity or water usage, that may not be entirely negative. Apartments can give you more freedom because generally speaking, most apartments that include everything for conveniences are also more expensive because the amenities become bundled up with the rent. If you only need a living space and don't care much about a swimming pool in the basement, the cost of electricity, or water usage, then renting an apartment is most definitely the cost-effective option.
Number Three: Space
As a freshman, you have a choice between a "suite" or a "normal dorm room." Take a closer look at your housing receipt because what college doesn't tell you is that your ordinary dorm room, is actually a studio apartment that should only hold one person.
Yet, they're charging you over $2000 which could be used to get you a new space with a better (or worse, usually better) roommate. Suites are an even bigger problem because a lot of them are actually one to three bedroom apartments where they can cram up to six people! That's mad!
Overall, you should probably find a roommate and get your own apartment because chances are, you'll find a place with extra space, fewer amenities that you don't use anyway, with a lower price tag. In fact, sometimes, your new apartment may be closer to your main campus than actual dorms.
