The pros and cons of renting vs college dorm rooms

So the college year begins in a few weeks and you’re not sure whether you should dorm or rent…join the club! I feel like as freshmen we hyper focus on a million other things and forget to really consider where we actually want to stay.

Dorms are the most popular option, and for good reason, they’re fantastic! Unless you happen to be an introvert and prefer not to be around many people…

Renting an apartment is also great, but a big part of the college experience depends on you actually being on campus. 

So no, it’s not an easy decision to make.

If you pick one or the other without considering the pros and cons you might end up in a situation that’s less than ideal. And I can say from experience, it’s gonna be horrible.

So in the spirit of saving you from what many people I know have experienced, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of renting vs living in a dorm…

Apartments vs dorm rooms: the pros, the cons, and you…

Renting an apartment: the pros

Privacy and space:

I don’t think I have to explain how difficult it is to get any semblance of privacy while sharing a 230-square-foot dorm room. When you have your own apartment you have the liberty of both space and privacy, while also not having to worry about your stuff being stolen. (Trust me, that happens a lot.) 

Autonomy

Curfews and unlikeable roommates were the name of the game during my freshman year! With your own apartment not only do you get to decide when you go to bed, but you also get to choose who you live with. So you won’t get stuck with that Chelsea girl you don’t like or Bethany and her weirdo boyfriend (Sorry, I’m projecting).

In short, renting offers you the liberty to make your own decisions without authority figures lording over you, which is always a plus in my book…

Life prep

I always hear people say you never truly realize how unprepared you are to manage a household until renting for college. Things like budgeting, managing bills and dealing with landlords (for the most part) are not taught to us by our parents, so you should expect to feel like a fish out of water for the first few months. The thing with renting for college though, is that you get to learn by experience, while still having your parents and guardians to fall back on in case anything goes wrong.

Cost flexibility

A lot of people don’t know this but dorms are actually really freaking expensive! I mean, sure it was naive of me to think that dorm fees were included in the tuition *facepalms*, but some dorms are actually more expensive than apartments. This is especially true when you’re sharing that cost with roommates. 

I’m not gonna get too much into the math here, but the average ‘room and board’ package offered by colleges costs about $1300. If you can find a two-bedroom apartment for $1500-$1600 and share that cost with a roommate, that’s a significant difference. And don’t get me started on the fact that, unless you intend to go home over the summer, you’ll probably have to get an apartment anyway…

The Cons

Big responsibilities

I know I said that it’s a good thing to have experience maintaining a household, but it’s hard! Leases, budgets, Grocery shopping, deep cleaning- It’s a lot. Depending on your roommate things may come a lot easier to you but if you’re not willing to commit to truly being on your own, I suggest you don’t bother.

FOMO

I briefly touched on this earlier but a big part of the college experience depends on you readily being on campus! You don’t wanna be halfway across the city by yourself when your friends are all having the time of their lives at a party somewhere. Now this isn’t really a problem for me since I don’t go out much, but I do think it’s something you should be mindful of when making your decision.

Upfront costs

Apartments generally don’t come furnished, so you’re on your own with furnishings and other essentials. The good thing is Amazon, Walmart and Ikea offer relatively cheap items. But, again, if that’s something you can’t commit to financially, I do recommend that you go the dorm route. Dorms are small and bunk beds are uncomfortable, but you can always count on having all the necessities in one place…

Living in Dorm The pros

All-inclusive costs

Despite what I said earlier, I won’t deny that college dorms are convenient. Most colleges offer meal plans so you’re guaranteed 2-3 meals a day. You also won’t have to worry about things like utilities and internet; or anything but horrible roommates and your stuff going missing. So if you’d prefer to take on as little responsibility as possible, then dorms are for you.

Culture

I really don’t want to repeat myself too much, but there are certain aspects of college you just need to be on campus to experience. If you want to have those traditionally fun/explorative college stories to tell your kids, then being in dorm is just hands down non-negotiable…

Convenience

Early classes are a hell to get to on time. Especially if you’re not a morning person. The good thing about dorms is that they’re close (or closer at least) to classrooms and lecture halls. This means you don’t have to get up at five to travel to a from campus, especially when there’s lots of traffic.

The Cons

Zero privacy and space

It goes without saying that trying to get alone time in a shared dorm room is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The opportunities are there, but rare. Again, if you’re someone who values privacy and personal space then dorms may not be for you.

Strict rules

Let’s call a spade a spade, most of these dorm rules are dumb! The thing is, as long as you’re under your university’s roof, you’re gonna have to follow them regardless. So, if you’re someone who prefers structure and like a stricter environment then go for it. If not, then you might wanna reconsider… 

Possibly Higher cost

Again, your dorm may cost more than an apartment so ensure you do the math when making your decision.

The choice between renting an apartment and living in a dorm really comes down to what you value more. If you want privacy, independence, and a quieter space, renting might be better. If you’re all about convenience, socializing, and an all-inclusive setup, dorm life could be the way to go. Think about what fits your lifestyle and budget best, and go from there!