<p>If my S and his friend were planning on attending the University of Alabama and rooming together, I was hoping you guys had any suggestions on the best dorm choice? The budget is pretty tight (he would be going there on scholarship) but we can budge a little if a certain dorm would be worth it. I’ve seen Lakeside and S really likes it but it is rather expensive with the meal plan. Are there any dorms ~7,000 or less that you would suggest for the two? Thank you!! ROLL TIDE</p>
<p>I would suggest this…</p>
<p>For the first year, splurge on the super suites…then after that, either choose something cheaper the second year, or move off campus.</p>
<p>If the Super Suites aren’t affordable, then maybe Burke.</p>
<p>FWIW; my DS was in a Super Suite last year, now says he should have gone to Burke…
He says his friends in Burke had more fun and met more new friends than he did in at Riverside.</p>
<p>I think Burke would be a nice choice if you are looking to save money. The location is great and there is a dining hall inside Burke. :)</p>
<p>Bamagirls , GoJack</p>
<p>Can you guys tell me anything else about Burke ? It’s my top choice for housing . Any personal opinions or stories ?</p>
<p>Burke’s dining hall is very good. I have seen photos of the rooms and they are small but workable. Dorm living only has to be for one year, and then you can find very nice accommodations off campus.</p>
<p>It’s close to sorority row…Parham, the all-women’s dorm is next door and Tutwiler is two blocks away…oops, not stuff you might want to hear!</p>
<p>When considering dorms, I believe you really needto consider the students personality type and personal space needs. </p>
<p>My son has ADHD, is an only child, and he likes his personal space/private time. He needs the ability to have down time seperate from other people. </p>
<p>So to have the option of a dorm with a private room as a freshman was a large part of the college search for us.</p>
<p>Littlemissbama,</p>
<p>My daughter lived in the north tower of RCS because she wanted to live in the super suites, so I can’t share any personal experience there. If she hadn’t preferred a super suite, she would have likely chosen Burke, Harris, or Parham. I’ve been inside Burke a few times. It’s older, but it is still nice as a less expensive option. The location and the dining hall are both very convenient.</p>
<p>Info on Burke</p>
<p>[Mary</a> Burke Hall - The University of Alabama](<a href=“Page Not Found | The University of Alabama”>Page Not Found | The University of Alabama)</p>
<p>Pictures at Burke</p>
<p>[Student</a> Affairs | Housing & Residential Communities](<a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm]Student”>http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm)</p>
<p>Burke Dining/Menus</p>
<p>[Student</a> Affairs | Housing & Residential Communities](<a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm]Student”>http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm)</p>
<p>A look at Harris:</p>
<p><a href=“Page Not Found | The University of Alabama”>Page Not Found | The University of Alabama;
<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm?CFID=3694650&CFTOKEN=16942184[/url]”>http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm?CFID=3694650&CFTOKEN=16942184</a></p>
<p>Harris houses some of the live/learn communities and has suites available with shared baths, not community baths. She was completely opposed to having a community bath.</p>
<p>Here’s a look at Parham:</p>
<p><a href=“Page Not Found | The University of Alabama”>Page Not Found | The University of Alabama;
<p><a href=“http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm[/url]”>http://housing.ua.edu/halls/hall_list.cfm</a></p>
<p>I have something stuck in my head from BamaBound about Burke dining. Do you have to pay an up-charge to eat dinner there?</p>
<p>lattelady, that’s Bryant dining you’re thinking about. I think there is an up-charge for supper/dinner. Burke is the same as Lakeside for meal plans.</p>
<p>Yes, FortunateDad, it’s Bryant that charges an up charge for dinner, but it’s the same price at lunch. Burke does not charge an up charge. My daughter and several friends found Burke to be very convenient for breakfast after an 8:00 class or lab.</p>
<p>LittlemissBAMA</p>
<p>This is all second hand-so take it with a grain of salt…
DS was in a super suite last year, he had some friends in Burke,
DS said his dorm was ‘very apartment building like’ rarely getting to know the other residents. His friends in Burke said they made many new friends and had a lot of fun as a dorm/floor. DS has decided that the suites tend to isolate residents more than the ‘traditional’ dorms.</p>