Dormitory vs Apartment: Which is the Best Option for Renters

Choosing the type of rental space is a significant decision for students and professionals as it can greatly affect the day-to-day experience. Because of the various types of rental spaces available in the market, it can get confusing. For instance, what is the difference between a Dormitory and an Apartment?

Both rental options have their unique features. Depending on your preferences, lifestyle, and budget, those features can be classified as pros or cons. In this guide, we did a detailed comparison, listing the differences between a dorm and an apartment, to help you make the right choice.

What is a Dorm?

Dormitories or dorms are often located near universities and colleges. Often, its main selling point is its affordability. Compared to apartments and condominiums, the rent is usually cheaper. Owners sometimes even include wifi (internet), water, and electricity in the monthly rent already. On top of that, if you want to share the room for cheaper rent, they can usually match you with roommates, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

However, the rooms are usually smaller. Sometimes, they do not put a bathroom inside the room, so you would have to share a common bathroom with other residents; the same goes for the kitchen. Although, since it is a shared rental building, it often includes amenities such as a co-working space, a lobby with a receptionist, and security features such as RFID gates.

What Is an Apartment?

In the Philippines, an apartment feels closer to a house and is a more private rental space compared to a dorm. The units are usually in an apartment complex, but they come in different forms. For example, a unit could be a part of a duplex or a triplex with one or two floors per unit, or it could be a unit in a multi-story apartment building.

A unit usually includes a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen area, a bathroom, and sometimes a laundry area. However, this can still vary as the units range from studio apartments to multi-bedroom units. Some drawbacks would be that there’s usually less security (just a shared gate for the units), and less amenities (just parking).

Comparing Dorms and Apartments

Living Conditions

• Dormitory: There is a sense of community. Aside from sharing facilities such as bathrooms, kitchens, and amenities, you also get a lot of chances to interact with your fellow residents, especially if you have the same schools or workplaces. However, this also means less privacy. Also, dorms usually have strict rules in terms of curfews and visitations.
• Apartment: On the other hand, apartments offer more privacy and a bigger personal space with a bathroom, a kitchen, a bedroom, and a laundry room inside the unit. Rules are also less strict though some may still have curfews. However, there is less sense of community and fewer amenities.

Cost Comparison

• Dormitory: Generally cheaper as they make the rates affordable for students and starting professionals. The rent may also include water, electricity, and Wi-Fi (internet) already.
• Apartment: Apartments are usually more expensive than dorms, but they can vary widely in price depending on the location (the ones in central business districts are more expensive), and size. Compared to dorms, apartment renters are responsible for the utilities and often have to apply for the installation of an internet connection.

Amenities and Facilities

• Dormitory: Often includes shared facilities like a common room, laundry, gym, or study hall. Some dorms provide meal plans or cafeterias.
• Apartment: Offers varied amenities depending on the building. Many modern apartment complexes include gyms, pools, laundry facilities, and parking.

Suitability for Preferences

• Dormitory: Dorms are great for students who want to experience a more social environment – especially when first adjusting to college life. Dorms are also better for reviewers looking for short-term rentals (i.e., 1-3 months).
• Apartment: Apartments are preferable for young professionals who prefer a long-term independent living space that they can highly modify and maintain.

FAQs

What is the difference between a dorm and a studio apartment?

• Dorms usually offer studio-styled and sized rooms. So, when it comes to the room itself, there might not be much difference between a dorm and a studio apartment except for the size and inclusions.

What are the cost differences between living in a dorm and an apartment?

• Dorms are usually more affordable, especially if utilities are already included. However, the cost differences highly vary depending on the location and the building’s proximity to major landmarks. For example, a dorm right in front of the university could be more expensive than an apartment a few streets away.

What is the best type of housing for college students to live in?

• Students usually pick dorms because of their affordability, student-friendly amenities (e.g., study area), proximity to universities, and other services (e.g., cleaning).

Dorm or Apartment: Choose Your Experience.

Choosing between a dorm or an apartment is more than simply choosing your living quarters. You are also choosing the experience. Dormitories can offer affordability, a social environment, and accessibility, while Apartments offer more privacy, freedom, flexibility, and personalizability.

If you’re looking for dorms, apartments, or even condominiums, you can check out our available listings across the Philippines: https://dormy.ph