I'm not at nyu yet (still a senior), but I would think that the main problem with commuting is having to go home early and not having the chance to hang out with friends. Considering how you would be pretty much living alone, and would live close enough to go home at 4am and not have anyone care, I think that it would be pretty much the same. The only problem is that you may miss out on the spontaneous activities that people may decide to do, but it would just be like you living in a separate dorm and all your friends living in a dorm 4 blocks away. I hope that made sense
