Weinstein Hall

For a residence hall that boasts three dining halls, a Peet's Coffee and the only Chik-fil-A in Manhattan, Weinstein residence hall gets an undeserved bad rap. Sure, the sub-cellar is crawling with cockroaches, the promised exercise and dark rooms don't exist, the cinderblock provides that lived-in dungeon feel and residents are lulled to sleep on weekends by the lullaby of drunk teenagers, but Weinstein has its perks. Besides great people, friendly RAs and three decent dining facilities, residents enjoy the convenience of 4 a.m. trips to Space Market and University Cafe. And who else can roll out of bed at 9:23 a.m. and still make that 9:30 a.m. class in the Silver Center (well, besides residents in Goddard?

So say what you want about the "cinderblock prison." Weinstein may not have the charm of Hayden or the allure of Third North, but its prime location and friendly atmosphere make it an ideal dorm for a first-year student living in New York City ... as long as you get to live in Gramercy sophomore year.

Address: 11 University Place
Price: shared single bedroom ($13,862.00); 1-2 room suites, 2-5 students ($11,720.00)
Laundry: $1 per wash/dry
Subway: ACE/FVNR/6
Walk to campus: less than one minute
*Prices based on 2009-10 academic year room rates per student