<p>Hi....
just trying to think ahead and pick the brains of those parents / students out there ...for a freshman, what are your picks for the diff residence halls. Thinking about the possibility, if my daughter attends, of choosing the most reasonable residence hall WITH A KITCHEN or kitchen access so as to try to avoid purchasing a meal plan. (hope this makes sense).</p>
<p>Any suggestions, ideas, etc. are absolutely appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks in Advance !!</p>
<p>Lake Claire.</p>
<p>i agree 100% with alongwait. lake claire is the way to go. i chose apollo because i wanted the cheapest and didnt think id have too much time to cook since it takes me a little while to adjust to a different workload. but some people manage just fine and are better off with a kitchen, which saves money. the residence halls with kitchens in order from least expensive to most expensive are lake claire, nike/hercules, and towers. ive been able to visit all the different residence halls and while lake claire isnt as new as towers, it certainly makes due. it has a nice living room area that comes furnished with some chairs and couches, a full kitchen, 4 private rooms and 2 bathrooms. the rooms are a little bigger in towers and nike/hercules but its not really too much of a size difference and not worth all the extra cash.</p>
<p>thanks marlins, I appreciate it…well, when I mean wanting a kitchen to “cook” I just mean having access to a bigger fridge than just a little 2x4 fridge, and maybe a toaster oven, and micro… The way my daughter eats anyway, she would do fine…sandwiches, wraps, yogurt, micro meal, tuna, that kind of thing if she can…because honestly, over $1000 on a meal plan ??not sure if it makes sense, in fact I think its more than that if I’m thinking right?..thanks</p>
<p>mine didn’t bother with the meal plan since she has the kitchen. it’s worked out fine. there are tons of places to eat and get groceries. The kitchen is small but has a regular size frig. As nice as you can expect for a college dorm/apt. Towers is nicer, but the lease is different and the parking is more expensive. Lake Claire is all freshman, so that may be a factor too. You can always try the Towers for the upper class years, but either way they are nice accommodations compared to most colleges. We’ve been impressed.</p>
<p>The Towers ([UCF</a> Housing and Residence Life | Our Communities](<a href=“http://www.housing.ucf.edu/communitiesgallery.php?community=towers12&ID_community_gallery=23]UCF”>http://www.housing.ucf.edu/communitiesgallery.php?community=towers12&ID_community_gallery=23)) may be what you’re looking for, as it has a full-size kitchen, microwave, and dishwasher. However, like alongwait pointed out, it is more expensive than the other dorms, and is has a different lease period.</p>
<p>I would recommend Lake Claire all the way for her freshman year.</p>
<p>My son is in a dorm in Nike, he has a fridge that fits under his bed (I bought the largest one I could buy and it has a top freezer section). I did not buy him a meal plan but rather put money on his student id that he can use to buy meals anywhere on campus. He stocks his room with food that he can make in his dorm like pb&j, tuna, frozen pizzas, etc. This seems to work pretty well.</p>
<p>My son is looking at signing up for nike/hercules this summer and then moving to Lake claire for fall? Anyone else who has a son into sports and likes xbox games want to be in lake claire- I am not sure the best way to find roomates?</p>
<p>Gailbeth, that is funny. My son prob fits the bill but he’d kill me if I took control of this aspect of his college life, lol! He already thinks I’m too involved!
I think my son’s first choice is Apollo then Lake Claire (he doesnt like the idea of cooking). He’s never “hungry” unless I make his meals. I always tease him that they’ll find him passed out from malnourishment, in a fully stocked kitchen!!</p>
<p>If you’re a freshman and want a kitchen… Lake Claire.</p>
<p>I just found out today that my son has changed his mind and will attend UCF. I had never really considered this option so I have not looked into the school too much and I have a lot of questions. Nothing like changing your mind this late!
OK, so here goes with the first two:
<p>Umm, I’d still say Lake Claire even if he doesn’t care about having a kitchen. Herc/Nike are nice. Libra is the one to avoid. Apollo is … also not that special.</p>