Single vs. shared room: making the right choice for university
Single or shared room? The choice comes down to your lifestyle, study budget, and how much you value your privacy. Let's weigh up both options, honestly and without judgment, to help you make the right choice for your university year.
The main points:
Single vs shared: there's no right answer. It all comes down to your budget, how much you value your privacy, and your personality. A single room gives you your own space, peace, and quiet, but costs 30-50% more (up to €150-250 a month extra in Milano or Bologna) and can feel a bit lonely if you've just moved to a new city. A shared room is much easier on the wallet, helps you beat loneliness, and makes socializing effortless—though you will have to compromise on privacy, study time, and daily schedules. To choose, just be honest with yourself about your budget, how you study, and how much company you really need.
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Single vs. double room: the showdown you need
It’s one of the first big decisions you’ll make when looking for your university home. Single or double? There is no absolute right answer — it all depends on who you are, how you study, and what you’re willing to spend. Here’s everything you need to know to make your choice.
The single room: the pros
Privacy and focus
The biggest perk of a single room is total privacy. You rule your own space — you decide when to sleep, when to study, and when to have some quiet time. If you need deep focus or have intense study hours, a single is usually your best bet.
Total freedom
No roommate to manage in your room. No arguments over who gets the desk when, no debates about lights out, no negotiations over the thermostat. You’re free to set up your space exactly how you like.
Quality sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial at university. In a single room, there’s no one waking you up when they get in late, no snoring, and no middle-of-the-night disruptions.
Space for your stuff
A room of your own means more space for your books, your clothes, and your things. No need to split the wardrobe or share the desk.
The single room: the cons
The cost
On average, a single room costs 30% to 50% more than a double. In cities like Milano or Bologna, the difference can be €150-250 a month — which really adds up over the year.
The loneliness
If you’re moving from another city and don’t know anyone, living entirely on your own can feel a bit heavy at first. A double room gives you a built-in roommate and a constant presence to help beat homesickness.
The double room: the pros
The savings
The main perk is the price tag. A double is significantly cheaper than a single, letting you save your cash for other things — trips, gigs, nights out, and uni books.
Built-in social life
Sharing a room can be an amazing experience. It’s how lifelong friendships start, plus you can study together and support each other when things get tough. If you’re arriving in a new city knowing no one, having someone to talk to every day is a massive plus.
Less loneliness
Those first few months away from home can be tough. Having someone in the same room eases the loneliness and helps you settle into your new city much faster.
The double room: the cons
Limited privacy
Sharing a room means dealing with someone else's habits. Different schedules, different lifestyles, different needs — handling all of this takes maturity and compromise.
Harder to focus
Studying in the same room where someone else is trying to sleep can get tricky. If one of you is a night owl and the other has an 8:00 AM lecture, clashes are bound to happen.
Stuck on someone else’s schedule
Lights out, quiet hours, room temperature — everything becomes a negotiation. If you’re used to running your space your way, adapting can be a challenge.
How to choose: ask yourself the right questions
Before you decide, give yourself an honest answer to these questions:
How do you study? If you need absolute silence and deep focus, the single is almost always the way to go. If you prefer studying in the library or common areas, a double is perfect.
What is your actual budget? Not your ideal budget — your real, all-inclusive budget. If a single stretches you too thin, a double lets you live comfortably with far less financial stress.
What is your personality like? Are you easy-going and adaptable? A double room could be a great experience for you. Are you more reserved and need your own space to recharge? A single is almost certainly the right call.
Do you already know someone? If you’re sharing with a friend or someone you trust, a double is much easier to manage. With a stranger, the risk of personality clashes is always a bit higher.
The Stanza Semplice scoop
There is no single "right" choice — only the right choice for you. If your budget allows, a single room offers a better quality of life during your university years. If budget is your main constraint, a great double room with a compatible roommate is an excellent option.
At Stanza Semplice, we have both single and double rooms — all in fully renovated apartments, with bills included and zero deposit. Find the one that fits you best and kick off your university year the right way.
Our tip
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The real question isn't "single or double?" but "how do I study and what is my actual all-inclusive budget?". If you need peace and quiet to focus, a single room is worth the extra cost; if budget is your main limit or you are moving to a city where you don't know anyone, a double room with the right person is a great setup. In a double room, though, your roommate makes up 90% of your experience: choose wisely.
