Estimated cost: $14,900-$17,300
Low-cost rooms available: No
Commute to campus: 10 minutes
Nearby subways: N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, L
Shuttle: Yes

If you are willing to sacrifice a quiet neighborhood for convenience, then Palladium residence hall should be your top pick. The large dorm sits between 13th and 14th streets, just a few steps away from Union Square. Restaurants, coffee shops and 24-hour stores line the blocks whichever direction you turn from Palladium’s front door, but you do not even have to leave the building to access the essentials.

Although it is mostly known for housing the better of two NYU gyms, Palladium also has a dining hall with abundant options. A highlight is Sunday brunch, which comes with a chocolate fountain and all the pastries your stomach could desire. Eating without a meal plan is also easy because Trader Joe’s is located next door.

The dorm’s centrality makes transportation effortless, and the main campus is within walking distance.

One downside is that the rooms have paper-thin walls, but hopefully it will help you get to know your suitemates even more.

—Tatiana Baez