First Year Residence Housing. help!

<p>I am a first year CoE. I have a somewhat tight budget, but my parents did say that they will pay for the more expensive residence if it's beneficial.</p>

<p>So, here are my choices:</p>

<p>Foothill-- double room in suite (what does "in suite" mean?) $16,995
Foothill-- triple room in suite $15,300
Clark Kerr-- double room $16,256
Clark Kerr-- triple room $13,798
Any-- infinite dollars</p>

<p>I like to study inside my room, so quietness is a major factor here. Which one is better, triple or double? </p>

<p>Location doesn't matter right?</p>

<p>After the first year, should I rent a house either on/off campus with my friends, or stay in residence?</p>

<p>For info, look here: [Living</a> at Cal - UC Housing](<a href=“http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/uchousing.html]Living”>http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/uchousing.html)
Basically, being in suites means that a smaller number of rooms are grouped together, instead of one long hallway of rooms.
As far as quietness goes, it depends on who you end up living with. I could never study in my room in the Units because the floor was loud 24/7. Looking back, I think I would have done much better off campus; it would have been cheaper and quieter. I think in most cases triples would be less conducive to studying, since there are two people to share the room with, instead of one, but it depends on what your roommates are like.
I think you should consider other factors as well, such as how much space you need, how far you want to be from campus, etc.
I’d be happy to answer other questions you have.</p>

<p>I live at Clark Kerr right now. I’ve known my roommates since high school so studying in my room is do-able. They play a lot of computer games. In general, it’s a quiet place except on the weekends. The only beef I have with CKC is that it’s so far. For the most part, I just sleep there now. I stay on campus and study in the library. The rooms at CKC are a lot bigger which is a plus. But the walk gets really annoying if you keep missing the bus like I do.</p>