You’ve seen the TikToks. The ones where someone is hauling a massive blue IKEA bag up three flights of stairs in 95-degree North Carolina humidity. They’re probably moving into "Crusty Craige" or Hinton James, and they look slightly miserable but also weirdly hyped. That’s the paradox of the dorms at UNC Chapel Hill.
Look, choosing where to live at Carolina isn't just about picking a bed. It’s a strategic maneuver. It’s basically a rite of passage that defines your first year. If you end up on South Campus, you’re in the social trenches. North Campus? You’re basically living in a historical postcard.
Honestly, the "best" dorm depends entirely on whether you value a short walk to class or a floor where everyone knows your name because the walls are paper-thin.
The Great Divide: North vs. South Campus
Most freshmen think they want North Campus. It’s close to Franklin Street. It’s near the Old Well. You can roll out of bed at 8:55 AM and make your 9:05 AM in Saunders (well, Carolina Hall now).
But here’s the thing. North Campus is quiet. Like, scary quiet.
If you live in Kenan, McIver, or Alderman, you’re living in beautiful, historic buildings with hardwood floors and a lot of soul. But you might also feel like you’re living in a library. These are mostly hall-style dorms. You share a big bathroom with the whole floor. Sounds gross? It’s actually not bad because the university staff cleans them daily. You don’t have to scrub a toilet for an entire year. That’s a win.
South Campus is where the chaos lives.
Hinton James (HoJo), Ehringhaus, and Craige are the "Big Three" high-rises. They’re 15 minutes away from the main quad by foot, but they’re the heartbeat of the freshman experience. These are 8-person suites. You and a roommate share a room, and that room is connected to three other rooms by a common bathroom.
What People Miss About Suite Life
People freak out about sharing a bathroom with seven other people. "The line for the shower must be insane!"
Actually, it rarely is. Everyone has different class schedules. What is a problem is the cleaning. Unlike hall-style, you and your suitemates are responsible for cleaning that bathroom. If you live with seven people who think a pile of damp towels is "decor," you’re going to have a long semester.
The "New" Dorms and the Granville Wildcard
If you’ve got the budget or the luck of the draw, you might end up in the newer South Campus spots like Koury, Horton, Hardin, or Craige North. These are 4-person suites. Two rooms, one bathroom. Much cleaner. Much quieter.
Some people say they’re less social. Is that true? Sorta. Because you aren’t forced to interact with as many people just to brush your teeth, you have to try harder to make friends. But the AC actually works, so there’s that.
Then there’s Granville Towers.
Granville is weird. It’s technically "University Approved Housing," but it’s privately owned. It’s right on Franklin Street, literally steps from the bars and restaurants. It has its own dining hall, the Agora, which honestly serves better food than Chase or Lenoir half the time.
- The Vibe: Very social, heavy Greek life presence.
- The Cost: Higher than on-campus.
- The Catch: It can feel a bit like a bubble. You might miss out on that specific "on-campus" feeling of being in the middle of everything.
The Reality of the 2026 Housing Crisis
Let’s get real for a second. UNC is crowded.
As of early 2026, the university is still grappling with a massive housing shortage. They recently announced plans for a new residence hall on North Campus (the first since 2006!), but that won't be ready until 2028. This means the housing lottery is more stressful than ever.
If you’re a rising sophomore, don't assume you’ll get a spot. Many students are being pushed into Ram Village—which are the on-campus apartments—or forced to look at off-campus spots in Carrboro or near MLK Blvd.
Costs You Need to Budget For
Housing isn't cheap. For the 2025-2026 academic year, you’re looking at roughly $3,868 per semester for a standard double. If you want a single? Good luck. They exist, but they’re rarer than a B+ in Organic Chemistry.
Don't forget the hidden costs:
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- Laundry: It's "free" (included in tuition), but the machines in the basement of Ehringhaus are always full on Sunday nights.
- The "Fridge/Microwave" Rental: Most people rent a MicroFridge. It’s easier than hauling your own.
- Bus Passes: If you live on South Campus, you will become best friends with the U or RU bus routes. Download the TransLoc app immediately.
Why "Crusty Craige" Isn't That Bad
You’ll hear people complain about the older dorms. They call them "crusty" or "dilapidated."
But there’s a reason people love them. There is an energy in a high-rise freshman dorm that you cannot replicate in a nice, sterile apartment. It’s the 2 AM fire alarms. It’s the communal lounge where someone is always playing Smash Bros. It’s the walk back from the library at midnight with five people from your floor.
If you end up in an older building, embrace it. You’ll have better stories.
Your Next Steps
If you’re heading to Chapel Hill this fall, stop overthinking the floor plans.
First, get your housing application in the second it opens. The "priority" window is real. Second, look into the Living-Learning Communities (LLCs). If you join the "W.E.L.L." in McIver or the "Pride" LLC, you get priority placement in those specific buildings. It’s a great way to bypass the randomness of the lottery.
Finally, check the "UNC Housing" Reddit or various Discord servers. Current students are brutally honest about which buildings have mold issues or which RAs are actually chill.
Go ahead and look up the floor plans for Morrison Hall—it’s the perfect middle ground between North and South, and it has one of the best social scenes for sophomores on campus.