# Dorm or Apartment **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 19, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dorm-or-apartment/214006 "2003-11-19T00:54:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dorm-or-apartment/214006/21 "2003-11-20T16:45:43Z")
Well, here in Pgh, living off campus costs about half of living in the dorms. That does sound a bit steep, even for Ann Arbor, but I trust you’ve done yoru research. I stayed in the dorms a year longer than I should have, and that year really, really sucked. If you feel like you want to get out, its probably time. just keep looking for a good place, it took me forever to find where I’m at now, but I love it. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dorm-or-apartment/214006/22 "2003-11-20T17:10:55Z")
Now that I see the real OP, my advice is somewhat different: definitely get the apartment. No doubt about it. Two years in the dorms is more than enough – you’ve already made all the friends you’re going to, and you won’t believe how great it is to have your own space. As for the cost, I’d be surprised if a single dorm room is significantly cheaper per month than $450. If your parents are willing to help you out, the increased cost is not going to come at the expense of your school work. However, before you sign a lease, make 100% certain you and your friend see eye to eye on things like cleaning, noise, bill paying, girlfriends staying over, etc. Good friends don’t always make good roommates. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dorm-or-apartment/214006/23 "2003-11-20T18:26:49Z")
Good Lord! Get out of Michigan! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dorm-or-apartment/214006/24 "2003-11-20T22:09:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > \*\*Good Lord! Get out of Michigan! > > 😃 \*\* HEY! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dorm-or-apartment/214006/25 "2003-11-21T06:54:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sonyadora \* > I hate to break this to you, but rent is not reasonable everywhere. \*\* Here in NYC you could get 1/3 share of a studio for that! My school, basically everyone lived in freshmen only dorms their first year. By the end of the year, people form their groups and either join a fraternity or move into an appartment (either on or off campus). By senior year, most people move off campus. I like living alone now (mid 20s and 30s) but iin college it’s better to have roomates. Actually, the best situation was having a single love shack in my fraternity house. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dorm-or-apartment/214006.md?page=1)