4 Differences Between Dorm and Apartment Living

By Ian Acosta on November 30, 2016

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You have decided that you do not want to live in the dorms anymore. You are sick of dealing with RA’s, stale, repetitive dining hall food, and the general inconvenience and hassle of not being able to be truly independent.

However, have you really thought of the ways life will be different when living in an apartment compared to living in the dorms? Between location, the amenities, rent and deciding who to room with, the differences abound. Here are four big differences in living in a dorm compared to living in an apartment.

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1. Location

Location. Location. Location! You know this. I know this. Everyone knows this. Location is probably the biggest factor in terms of how living in an apartment varies from living in a dorm. I could write a whole separate article on tips to follow for apartment locations but this will have to do. Here are a couple questions you will want to ask yourself when determining the ideal location for your dream apartment.

Do you want to be around the hustle and bustle of campus town, i.e. bars, restaurants, and shops; or do you prefer the quiet and quaint setting of an apartment a mile or two away from it all? If you want some peace and quiet to yourself during the week and on weekends, the second option would be better.

Would you prefer to be as close as possible to class and minimize travel time, or away from the cluster of people and students resulting in a lengthier travel time to class? I faced that same question myself and chose option two. This is why it is a major difference. Dorms are usually positioned closer to the heart of campus in order to give newer students the convenience of learning the lay of the land. Furthermore, it gives dorm residents the added perk of finding clubs and activities closer to campus and developing their student careers.

2. Rent

Money, especially for college students, is a resource that needs to be maximized to its fullest extent especially for living expenses. Some students choose to live in dorms based on just rent limitations alone. However, more research needs to be done in order to determine what really will save money.

A $650 a month apartment with all utilities included might not necessarily be the same as a $550 a month apartment with no utilities. In addition, tuition per year needs to be well-defined to see what average living costs would come out to. This is where some reflection and projection is needed in terms of utility usage.

Would you be able to plan out your monthly allotment for non-included utilities to make sure it does not exceed a similar apartment with all utilities included? If you are a cautious person and would rather play it safe and not be on a stringent usage, search for apartments with all or most utilities included to maximize enjoyment of your apartment and to minimize stress.

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3. Amenities

This is a factor when apartment hunting compared to living in the dorms that is sometimes overlooked. If you are looking for a more modernized apartment, you might be looking for an attached pool, in-unit washer and dryer, in-complex gym or rec center, modernized appliances, reserved parking, an enclosed outdoor or indoor social area, etc.

If you are more on the reserved side and do not need much more than a bed, kitchen, and bathroom, it might not make too much sense to search for a completely modernized apartment. More than likely, dorms will not have all of the amenities listed here if you plan on living in the dorms another semester or two. In addition, more amenities correlates to more cost. As with location, sacrifices might need to be made when considering whether living in a dorm or an apartment makes the most sense.

4. Roommates

The age-old question of who you want to live with can play a big role in determining whether or not to hunt for an apartment and is a big influence on all of the other factors mentioned previously. Do you enjoy the camaraderie and company of a friend or two to live with to help make a new apartment experience more enjoyable? Do you consider yourself your own best friend and prefer to keep it simple and worry about yourself?

An important note to remember is that if you decide to live in an apartment, you have more freedom in deciding where to live and who to live with. With the dorms, that freedom may not be available.

One major task nearly every college student faces is whether to live in a dorm or apartment. An apartment offers more freedoms in terms of college experience but dorms offer a more reliable, safer route. Whichever the choice, be sure to take the time to research the most well thought out decision.

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