<p>I’m much more distracted by discomfort than by comfort. Especially when the discomfort comes in the form of a roommate. I can accept the argument that the discomfort builds character, but I sure don’t see how it is more conducive to studying than a climate-controlled private space.</p>
<p>I’ve always considered finding sewage backing up into your cellar, the kitchen floor collapsing, an unfortunate mixture of water and electricity, the need to have your own supply of emergency water, no insulation and questionable landlords (yep, all of these happened to me in the space of one year, amongst other things) to be part of the experience. </p>
<p>Oh well, at least I have a double bed, plaster on the walls and lovely housemates (unlike the year before).</p>
<p>Goodness! In your dorm, or in your apartment? Either way, it sounds like you need a new landlord!</p>
<p>At my son’s college, some of the most popular dorms are the oldest. They have cinderblock walls and no air conditioning, but lots of character and they are very close to the academic buildings. They also have hallways, which make it easier to get to know all the people on your floor vs. other dorms have suites where you need a key card to get into see a group of 6 rooms. The brand new dorms have now gone back to the long hallway design.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a private company is building a new super-luxury apartment complex off-campus. They are skimming off the most profitable part of the market, but it is still a small percentage of the student body.</p>
<p>A number of public colleges have brought private companies onto their campuses to replace old dorms. The new housing is twice the price, with many amenities.</p>
<p>@cromette - this year (the one with all the major problems) was an off campus house that I share with friends. We’re all moving out next week, but believe it or not visitors to our house often comment on how nice it is (to be fair, its problems aren’t immediately obvious). Oh, and having to remove a dead fox from the garden was a particular highlight of my day earlier this week! </p>
<p>The one with the single bed, no plaster on the walls and rubbish housemates was on campus dorms. But for all their faults, at least they were solidly built!</p>
<p>NotRichEno, at some schools, definitely a profit center. I just checked the rates for one I know- lowest option double room almost $3500per student/per semester. That’s includes the crappy, crappy dorm and next slice up. Full meal plan about $4500. Crappy food, too. The top choice room option is 12k/year but the kid either gets a private bedroom or has an arrangement all to himself. You don’t think it’s effective to go off campus?</p>
<p>My kids have great food.</p>
<p>@lookingforward - Blimey. I paid $5750 for the whole year in on campus dorms - own bedroom, shared bathroom (shared between four people), shared kitchen (between 8), no meal plan. Can’t say it was luxury, but it was perfectly adequate, a lot of fun, and cheap.</p>
<p>WOW! Boomting, man…I hope you have better luck next time!</p>
<p>Was that 12 months- a whole year or 9 months?</p>
<p>@emeraldkity4 - that was 40 weeks, so mid September to mid June, and included all utilities and internet. </p>
<p>To be fair, it was in the UK not the US, but land prices here are normally comparatively high, so seeing this thread does make me grateful for what I paid in first year!</p>
<p>I had bare brick walls at Cambridge too (but I did have a single room. That’s the norm in the UK).</p>
<p>I’m a little perplexed by Beliavsky’s objection to “luxuries [in housing] that distract students from studying.” In a different thread, he spoke approvingly of parents who would drive to campus to do the student’s laundry, replenish any necessary toiletries, straighten / clean the room, or so forth.</p>
<p>What’s more “luxurious”? A pretty, sunny, well-lit laundry room with up-to-date washers and dryers and plenty of surface for you to do your own folding, ironing, etc. (versus the typical dank laundry rooms of most dorms) – or having your parents spirit away your laundry and magically do it for you?</p>