<p>Between the five dorms - Southwest, Orchard Hill, Central, Northeast, and Sylvan - which one would be the best dorm. I want to live in an area that is both studious and social. I want to get my work done and I want to have a good time. I do not want to party 24/7 or study 24/7, I want a balance of both. What dorm would you suggest for an undeclared and possible communications major? Thank you!</p>
<p>From what I have heard, Southwest is where the action is–parties, etc, simply because it’s the largest residential complex–high rise buildings.</p>
<p>Have also heard that Northeast and Orchard Hill are quieter, but OH is a little out-of-the-way.</p>
<p>Don’t know about Central or Sylvan.</p>
<p>The UMass website details the particular areas of housing. 1st year students can either choose to live in a particular area, or join a RAP that interests them.</p>
<p>[UMass</a> Amherst - Housing and Residence Life](<a href=“http://www.housing.umass.edu/]UMass”>http://www.housing.umass.edu/)</p>
<p>[UMass</a> Amherst - Housing and Residence Life: Quick Links for New and Prospective Students](<a href=“http://www.housing.umass.edu/prosp_students.html]UMass”>http://www.housing.umass.edu/prosp_students.html)</p>
<p>S became a part of the Isenberg Fellows and lived on the edge of Southwest in a low-rise (Melville). He loved the location and the Z room for privacy and size. Next year he is living in Prince, another low-rise on the edge of Southwest. Dining options in Southwest are great. He is close to his classes at Isenberg, well located for the fitness center, and able to reach most places on campus very quickly. </p>
<p>His girlfriend lived in Butterfield, a dorm at the top of the hill in Central. She was very happy there, but didn’t love hiking the hill for classes, dining and everything else. Her room was tiny. She is moving to the lower section of Central and living in Brett next year. It is a prime location, close to the academic buildings, without the steepest parts of the hill.</p>
<p>Both loved their dorm experience! </p>
<p>Read the website, speak to students and tour the different areas of campus. Good luck! UMass is a great school!</p>
<p>It’s too bad that the video “the real tour of Umass” was taken down. there is a “where to live at Umass” video that gives a flavor of all the dorms. </p>
<p>My son has lived in Northeast (Hamlin), Sylvan (Cashin), and Central (Baker). The best was Baker, close access to the Franklin DC. He had friends at Butterfield - it is nice, but a hike. The rooms at OHill are smaller. The setup at Sylvan looks nice, but I don’t think there is anybody that really wants to live there. It all sounds like the third or last choice. It is not really that far off campus, but the closest DC is Worcester and it is always crowded. He is a partier, but never wanted to live in SW. too 24/7. Senior year has been living off campus at Pufton and Cliffside. overall a lot better.</p>
<p>Your living experience can be dictated by your major as well. Depending on your field of study, you might be taking most of your classes at Lederle (Northeast) or Isenberg (Central) etc in which case a SW dorm might not be your best bet unless you really love walking to class. An “incorrect” decision can prove annoying in the winter.</p>
<p>What kind of person are you? What do you like? Are you a big Sports Fan?</p>
<p>Actually, for Isenberg (business) classes, Southwest perimeter dorms are closest. Melville is the dorm for Isenberg Fellows. Lower central dorms are well located for sciences and Isenberg. </p>
<p>It is a large campus and lots of walking is part of the experience!</p>
<p>@tiggrsbride - Yeah, I think it’s good to note that you’d want a perimeter dorm if you’re going to Isenberg a lot as opposed to just any SW dorm.</p>
<p>I recall location to be a factor in some of my poorer decisions to skip class. The 4000 feet trek from Northeast to Herter seems like miles on a cold rainy day for 9am classes.</p>
<p>My S was in Northeast this year, as an engineering major, this worked out great since he could just roll out of bed and be at class in a couple of minutes.</p>
<p>I think about half of his floor this year is heading over to Sylvan. This doesn’t seem to be a popular area, but it’s not that much further out, and they have suite setups where eight of them can share a suite.</p>
<p>Where would the best dorms be for a laid back psych student who is 23?</p>
<p>I didn’t take a single psych class while there so I’m not sure where the classes are. However, I recall bumping into friends headed into/out of intro psych classes in Bartlett hall which would mean Southwest is closest. Central would also be close. I’d avoid Sylvan unless I got a bike or became a morning person…</p>
<p>SW strikes me as relatively intense (party central) so I might avoid that if I wanted a more laid back environment. Of course I hear that some SW dorms are very quiet but there is no guarantee that you’ll get your particular top choice dorm.</p>
<p>If I were a freshman today, I’d live in NE again simply because of the proximity to the science buildings. More classmates (similar major) in your vicinity mean you can join study groups without going across campus.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that the low rise dorms in SW aren’t as crazy as the high-rises.</p>
<p>I am acutally looking for anything but SW. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>…if your are a 1st year student and are you going to sign up for a RAP, which I definitely would suggest. My oldest was an Isenberg Fellow and lived in Melville and loved it. The following year he lived in a high rise in SW and also loved that. He’s a very good student, but loves sports and to party so SW was a good fit for him. My youngest, who will be going to school for Comp Sci will be living on Oh Hill. Oh Hill seems very much out of the way, but free buses come ever 15 to 20 minutes so I guess it isn’t too bad. An awful lot of where you live has to do with your major. And I would strongly suggest you try to live with people with similar interests.</p>
<p>Where is the best place to live if I am transferring in as a junior next yeat? I know the default place for transfers is Sylvan but I’ve heard it sucks when it comes to the social aspect. Is there anywhere else on campus that juniors live? </p>
<p>Hey I am transferring to UMass as well, and like MadHaley, I have heard that Sylvan isn’t a great place to stay. I am hoping for the Orchard Hill, but I have heard a lot about the North Apartments. What is that like?</p>
<p>North Apartments are really nice, but they also are more expensive. If finances aren’t of any concern, I would say go ahead and try for North (not sure how possible it is for transfers to get in there though). If finances are a concern, keep in mind that usually even shared dorm rooms are more expensive than splitting an apartment off campus. You’d lose the convenience of being on campus, but the area has a pretty good bus system, and you’d also get your own bathroom, kitchen, and living space. It just depends on what’s important to you.</p>
<p>People are very immature in Southwest.</p>
<p>OHill is actually amazing, live there! And the walk will only be a bit problematic when there’s snow/ice/subfreezing weather. OHill is where the most well-balanced people live anyways</p>
It often depends on your major-lots of engineering students in northeast, specialized business school housing in southwest. These dorms would be close to where most of your classes would be as well. It’s helpful to live with others in your major.