New friends, new lifestyles, new struggles, new achievements—being a student is full of new experiences. One of the most exciting things that many, especially college student, are looking forward to is moving out to their homes in order to have the freedom with their own space.
This article will list the advantages and disadvantages of dorm life vs. condo life for students to help you decide which is better for you.
Living Space for Many College Students
The decision of whether to reside in a dorm or a condo is one of the most significant ones that students must make when they move out to attend school away from their homes.
Every living situation has specific advantages and disadvantages. While on-campus dorms are an ideal choice for college freshmen who are quite new to campus life and do not wish to commute, condos might be a better option for students who are seeking more independence and amenities. Additionally, some parents opt for buying condo units for their child to live in while attending college because they can convert the condo into a financial investment rather than an expenditure. They are eager to purchase or rent a condo for students because they feel that their children deserve to live in greater comfort.
If you're a parent looking for a living residence for your child, it is advisable to become acquainted with the variables that they consider before making a decision. The decision-making process for students' living spaces includes convenience, privacy, cost, and many other circumstances to consider, so we shouldn't be too hasty with our choice.
Dorm vs. Condo
Comparing the advantages and disadvantages can help you decide between a dorm and a condo. Here is an overview to help you weigh your options.
Advantages of Living in Dorm
Closer to School
Dormitories are ideally situated on college campuses, giving students quick access to the school's classes, study halls, libraries, labs, and other facilities. The fact that you reside on campus makes your college experience more comfortable overall. They can significantly reduce their journey time and public transportation expenses thanks to this. I woke up late. That’s alright—your dorm is close to your classroom, so there’s no need to drive or commute in heavy traffic!
Additionally, dorms make it convenient to participate in dorm life outside of academics, helping students get the most out of their student housing experience.
Social Life
More than being close to the school buildings, you are also close to creating bonds with fellow students! Dorms also encourage an environment of camaraderie and a sense of connectedness among students, making it easier for you to make friends. Since you'll have a roommate and other people on your floor, it's also an ideal way to meet people. Many college dorms organize social activities to help students meet new people and build relationships with other residents.
Not only that, students can also participate in lots of campus activities for free! Several campus events are also typically accessible by foot from your dorm so you could go a sports game in the campus field or gym, or attend a club event, or just hang out with your classmates at the cafeteria.
Cost
When we first talk about the budget, our decision automatically leans towards dorms over most condos because they are comparatively more affordable.
Numerous dorms provide numerous perks and conveniences to students without charging extra, such as the internet connection, cable, electricity, etc. There may be an additional fee for cable or WiFi at certain schools, but it is not nearly as expensive as the monthly rent of a condominium. These costs are included in the dorm rent payment, making them much easier to afford for students, especially since they are sharing the payment costs with roommates.
Disadvantages of Living in Dorm
Shared Space
Dorms' biggest flaw is their lack of privacy. Some college dorms assign each student to a dormitory unit under their authority, which may result in people with quite different lives and personalities living together. You often live with at least one other person in a shared room, and your living spaces are totally shared, and future disagreements and arguments could result from this situation. Sharing the chores is good, but in dorms, you are also sharing almost every area of the place except your bed. Living with people you just met is challenging, and ordinary dorm rooms are small and just include bunk beds, so most of the spaces are shared. You share the bathroom and living area, and you can fully furnish or design the dorm room according to your personal taste because you still need to compromise with other residents who live with you.
Another thing to keep in mind is that living with peers all the time means that there is bound to be distractions—may it be noise, physical, or just a distraction from your peace of mind overall. Sure, it could be fun to stay with friends, but you may also find it hard to stay focused while studying with roommates.
Rules and regulations
The restrictions on dorms could be extremely strict. More restrictions and regulations must be followed by students living in dorms than if they were living off campus. Some of these include curfews, visiting restrictions, quiet hours, and even dorm check-ins from time to time. Of course, we understand that these limitations are there to safeguard students, but sometimes they can be too bothersome. Imagine being a college student who needs to stay out late for a group study or a project that needs to be finished, then you go home past curfew. It could be very inconvenient for some.
Advantages of Living in Condo
Freedom
If you're a private person, living in dormitories can be intimidating. However, when you live alone in a condo, the space is all yours. You have more freedom to come and go from your residence without curfew and frequently have fewer limits on what you may do. Plus, you’ll have your own bathroom and kitchen too if you want to cook for yourself without spending money on fast food, unlike most dorms that don’t allow students to cook meals! Condo living may be a better option because, aside from the freedom to choose your roommate or design the place according to your own preference, there are also much fewer rules to abide by.
A condo can be the best choice for you if you value your privacy highly. If you value comfort and control over your surroundings, condos are the best property choice.
Amenities
While dorms have their own perks, we can’t argue that condominiums offer a wide variety of great amenities in the building that students would love. The ability to relax and have fun is really beneficial for students because they deal with a lot of issues and stress at school.
Condominiums in the Philippines often provide other amenities, including a study room, gym, swimming pool, even open spaces and gardens that are fully accessible, which are not frequently available in dormitories. Moreover, you also don’t have to worry about safety issues. Condos have professional security guards and CCTV cameras, so it is ensured that you are safe in your residence.
Potential Investment
Nowadays, parents are increasingly choosing condos over dorms as their children's second homes while studying for the reason that, while dorm living can initially seem comparatively less expensive, condominiums have a number of benefits that may ultimately make them an outstanding investment.
Owning a condominium there might be a reliable and appealing investment prospect given the demand for real estate, especially for parents trying to increase their financial resources. Condos in Metro Manila typically have a higher resale value than dorms, making them a more profitable long-term investment. So, you’re not only paying for your stay; you can also buy a condo for you to stay in while you attend college but also for you to keep as an investment in the near future.
Disadvantages of Living in Condo
Commute
College students who live in condos could face a time-consuming commute to the university. The travel to and from school each day is a significant drawback when you choose condo living as a student. Additionally, you could also feel as though your college experience is being missed if you live off campus. You have to go home every night, unlike all of your buddies who stay in campus dorms.
You'll waste a lot of time commuting or driving in your car if you don't live close to the school. Fortunately, there are now a lot of condominiums that are in close proximity to universities, especially in Metro Manila.
Chores
Along with personal freedom comes independence. Without roommates to share expenses and chores with, you have to manage your entire condo unit alone. You’ll have to independently cook for yourself, clean by yourself, and pay the utilities all by yourself. Since the place is all yours, the maintenance is also all yours.
Choosing Between a Condo and a Dorm
Both choices have pros and cons, so when determining which kind of housing is ideal for them, the students' individual needs definitely come into consideration. Due to its affordability, location, and social environment, some people could favor dorms, while others might value their privacy and independence more, in which case a condo accommodation would be a better option.
Nonetheless, living away from home as a student may be an experience full of new things, so make the most of this experience and choose the kind of living that is more comfortable and suitable for your lifestyle!
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
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