There comes a time for all future freshmen in college to debate the most ominous question of them all. Should I live in a dorm or an apartment? This is the time of calculating cents and counting zeros of the cost of living in NYC for a student. It is the time of weighing each of your suitcases on multiple occasions.
Now is the time of planning how to survive without your mother’s cooking. It is the time of completely losing your cool about moving to New York. It is time to take the wise words of Douglas Adams as your mantra: Don’t panic. Also, we promise, despite the motto, this will be easier than being a hitchhiker in the galaxy. So, let’s talk about the cost of life in New York for a student…
Understanding: Cost of living in NYC for a Student
New York City has been topping the charts for the highest cost of living for a long time. It is well-known that it isn’t only rent which is expensive here. Everything, from food to your everyday expendable items will definitely become less cheap. So, here are some things that will influence your cost of living in the Big Apple as a student:
- Housing
- Food
- Necessities
- Lifestyle
- Transport
Of course, we understand that the move itself will also be expensive. So, we’d suggest reading about affordable movers in NYC first. There are a number of ways to avoid unnecessary costs if you’re prepared for the most common mistakes which people make while relocating to the Big Apple. So, it’s time to think about the way you can save some money on the first topic on our list: housing.
Dorm vs. Apartment
A dorm, also called a dormitory, is a large multi-residential building offering convenience and a community atmosphere. It is usually inside a college campus which makes commuting to classes much easier. A dorm is a big single-hall kind of room. It could be with or without an attached bathroom. A student has to share a dorm with other roommates and also share common spaces like bathrooms and lounges. Usually, you will get a bed, desk, and other utilities like internet and electricity in a dorm. Besides, there are some sets of rules and regulations that a student must follow if he/she decides to stay in a dorm.
When it comes to apartments, they are individual living units and offer more independence than dorms. The owners of apartments are usually individual landlords, investment firms, and property management companies. An apartment has its own bathroom and kitchen. That means the amenities like bathrooms and kitchens are not shared. However, there could be other amenities like grills, pools, and playgrounds that are common to all.
Living in a dorm
Dorm life is a good way for a student to have the experiences of life. It’s great to see every student sharing the same energy and nervousness when they first arrive in college and makes it easy to develop friendships. You develop a strong sense of security, community, and belongingness and will get umpteen opportunities for socializing.
Average cost
Generally, the NYC dorm prices depend on the location and the university. However, the average cost to live in New York in a dorm for a student is $12, 111. Public schools like Ohio State, Michigan, or Florida, offer room and board to their students for an average price of $11, 520. Whereas, the price for private schools like Vanderbilt, Fordham, or Notre Dame is $13,028. The important thing to note here is that the price mentioned here covers only the fall and spring semesters and not the summers. So, basically it is for nine months as the residence halls are closed for the holidays. That means an average price of $1,280 per month for public schools and $1,448 for private schools.
Living in an Apartment
Apartments offer more independence than dorms. Other benefits include a private bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living area that you don’t have to share with anyone unless you want to. You need to be more responsible for living in an apartment as you have to pay the utility bills yourself. The last thing you want to be on your list is to know that it’s been 3 months and nobody has paid the electric bill. While dorms have restrictions on visitors, noise, and decor, apartments provide a level of privacy and autonomy that can make student life feel a bit more adult.
Average Cost
Is living off campus cheaper or expensive? Well, it all depends on the neighborhood you are living in, apartment type, cost of rent near the school or university area and some other factors. The more number of students you have in the apartment, the less everyone has to pay.
On average, the cost of an apartment in New York for a student is $3780 per month. In Ohio and Columbus, it is $1020. For students, sharing an apartment with roommates can significantly reduce the burden on their pocket, splitting rent and utility costs to make apartment living more feasible.
Having a roommate will impact your expenses in NYC as a student
While it may seem similar, living with a roommate in an apartment and at the dorm is completely different. First of all, in a dorm, there is no choice. You will have an assigned roommate who will share your room and your bathroom. Sometimes, there will be more than one, too. The cost of living as a student in New York City dorms with a roommate? Well, it won’t impact your everyday lifestyle too much. That is if you don’t get lured in by vivacious outings a lot.
On the other hand, finding a roommate in NYC comes in handy. The best part is, that you can actually choose the person. Of course, if you don’t know anyone in the city yet, there’s the option of looking for a roommate online. If you choose to rent an apartment in NY, you will also have your own room. Though, you will probably still be sharing a bathroom.
The best part is, students living in New York can actually lower their cost of living by splitting the rent. If you’re really going for a cheap option, consider more than one roommate. As a bonus, living in an apartment tends to be quieter than a dorm!
Services and amenities are important for the cost of living in New York for a student
NYC dorm prices are affected by what you have or don’t have, provided. Living in a dorm will probably mean saving more money. After all, there are usually meal plans which you can apply for. As they are meant for students, they will be affordable. Other things that will impact the cost of living in NYC for a student in college are furniture and utilities. Most of the dorms will have your room already furnished. You will also have the option of using the shared fridge, sofa, kitchen, etc. Not to mention that there is almost always internet provided, too.
Apartments are a different story altogether. They are definitely more expensive for a student living in NYC on this front. First of all, you will most likely need to furnish the space. And, after doing so, you will need to re-stock necessary items on a regular basis. The expenses for cleaning products, hygiene, and living, in general, tend to pile up.
Also, the cost of living in New York for a student is greatly impacted by the choice of food. Whether you will be cooking or ordering in, the expenses will pile up. But, more importantly, the process will take up time! The bright point here, though, is that doing the washing is generally cheaper at an apartment. Not to mention that you will have more freedom in choosing everything from food to supplies.
The cost of living in NYC for a student will also depend on location
Contrary to popular belief, there are a number of affordable neighborhoods in NYC. However, that doesn’t mean that the cost of living in the Big Apple for a student will be impacted by them. In most cases, the rent of the housing actually tends to vary. Depending on the location of the college, there are somewhere living off-campus is definitely cheaper. Mostly, the cost of living in Manhattan for a student is more affordable in a dorm. The average difference in the expense is about $700 per month. So, if you’re choosing to live at a Manhattan dorm even in the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn, you can save up to $8000 a year!
On the other hand, there are a number of neighborhoods outside Manhattan with universities. According to the research, most of them offer more expensive dorms. So, when calculating the cost of living in NYC for a student outside the Manhattan area, off-campus tends to be a favorable choice. The average difference in the prices is estimated at $750. So, living off-campus might be a good idea for those attending LIU, Queens College, Fordham, St. John’s, and College of Staten Island. As long as your place is near the college, you won’t be troubled by the cost of transportation in NYC too much, either.
Conclusion
Deciding between a dorm and an apartment in NYC is no easy task, as each option brings unique benefits and costs. In the end, it’s up to you to decide. Which will be the better option, according to your preferences? Will you be living at a dorm or renting an apartment?
If you’re ready to make the move stress-free, Big Apple Moving is here to help. With professional moving and storage services tailored to students, we will ensure a smooth transition to your new home in New York. Contact Big Apple Moving today to start your journey with confidence!
