Choosing where to live on campus can be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an undergraduate, and with options like Halls, Residential Colleges (RCs), Houses, and Residences, it’s not always easy to know what suits you best. Each type of accommodation offers a unique blend of community, independence, convenience, and culture. To help you navigate the differences, I spoke to four students, one from each type of residence, to hear what campus life is really like behind the doors of their rooms. From late-night yap sessions in halls to peaceful solo living in residences, here’s what they had to say.
Hall: Where Convenience Meets Chaos (in a good way)
For Faustine, Eusoff Hall wasn’t just a place to sleep; it became a lifestyle. Having stayed there for two years, she chose hall life mainly for practical reasons, saying, “I’d appreciate waking up 15 minutes before class and still making it, rather than travel 1.5 hours just to get to class.” And for many students, that unbeatable convenience is enough to make hall life worth it.
But Eusoff isn’t just convenient: it’s vibrant, loud, and alive. Faustine recalled, “It can be quite noisy at night because of how vibrant hall culture is,” adding that spontaneous late-night visits are part of the charm. “It’s pretty fun because people can barge into your room in the middle of the night for a yap session.”

Faustine and her neighbours at a Hall event
In terms of the living conditions, rooms are “decently clean and comfy,” though, as with most halls, a bit of noise comes with the territory. Shared bathrooms and pantries are part of the daily routine, but the hall’s sense of community tends to outweigh the occasional mess.
Faustine was heavily involved in hall life, something that many residents would say defined their experience. “I joined many different CCAs to pick up new skills,” she said, “and I was pretty active in them.” While halls typically expect some level of participation to qualify for readmission, Faustine felt that it was manageable. “It depends on how my time is being managed,” she shrugged.

Faustine on the football field!
Meals are also part of the Eusoff package. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily, and Faustine tries to take full advantage of that. “I try to eat the breakfast and dinner provided daily,” she said, which makes her daily routine easier and less costly.
When asked whether she thought it was worth the price, Faustine was quick to agree. For her, the location and energy of hall life were more than enough. If you’re someone who thrives on activity, late-night conversations, and being constantly surrounded by people, a hall like Eusoff might just feel like home.
Want to know more about Eusoff Hall? Check out their website here: https://nus.edu.sg/osa/eusoffhall
RC: A Home for Growth and Community
When it comes to blending academics, community, and personal growth, Residential Colleges (RCs) offer something distinct. and few places embody this better than the College of Alice and Peter Tan (CAPT). Nicholas, who spent two years living there, chose CAPT because it aligned closely with his values. “I have done many volunteering trips prior to matriculating in CAPT,” he shared. “I felt that I could continue to grow further in CAPT due to the values of the college being in line with mine.”

Meet Nicholas and the CAPT mascot!
Rooms in CAPT are thoughtfully designed. Nicholas described his suite as “very spacious,” with fully movable furniture that allows residents to make the space their own. He stayed in an air-conditioned suite and noted that “the aircon was fantastic.” His suitemates played a big role in shaping his experience too: “We spent a lot of time in our suite lounge having amazing heart-to-heart talks. One even brought plants to beautify the area!”
Beyond the rooms, CAPT boasts shared pantries on each floor, lounges for relaxing or gaming, and themed rooms like TR1 (a fully equipped kitchen), TR2 (a jamming room with drums, guitars, and a sound system), and TR3, where you’ll find a pool and foosball table for post-class wind-downs. There’s also an air-conditioned multi-purpose sports hall: perfect for anyone who loves staying active.

Nicholas and his volleyball teammates chilling in the common lounge!
The environment is peaceful and lush. “Aside from a rooster with a broken body clock,” Nicholas joked, “it’s relatively quiet and surrounded by greenery, which gives it a very serene and comfortable feel.” Cleaners come in twice a week, keeping corridors and common areas tidy and hygienic.
Community is the heartbeat of CAPT. “There are so many committees and interest groups you can join,” Nicholas said. He listed ACE (Active Community Engagement), CAPTSupport, CAPTAmbassadors, and many more. “I was the publicity head for ACE Homes and a Househead. These roles helped me learn a lot about myself and how I work with others.”

Nicholas at CAPT’s Freshman Orientation Camp!
CAPT also has a distinct academic structure under the University Town College Programme (UTCP). Students complete four modules that focus on communication, writing, and critical thinking. These are tied closely with the RC’s values of intellectual breadth and civic engagement. Participation isn’t measured through a hall point system, but CAPT students must fulfil 30 hours of community engagement to graduate from the UTCP. “It’s manageable if you manage your priorities properly,” Nicholas noted.
Living in CAPT also comes with a compulsory meal plan via the NUS Dining app, which provides breakfast and dinner credits at the dining hall. “The food is generally pretty good,” he said, and highlighted fun perks too. “A few weeks in, they start giving out meal enhancements like mochi, Magnum ice cream, Lay’s chips and so many more!”
Nicholas wholeheartedly recommends CAPT to anyone considering RC life. “It’s a very accepting community,” he said. “You’ll definitely find a group of friends who will stick with you for life.” Looking back, he’s sure of one thing: “If you had turned back time and asked me whether I would stay on campus in an RC, my answer would still have been a yes.”
If you’re curious to explore more about life at CAPT, check out their website here: https://capt.nus.edu.sg/
Or take a visual tour of Nicholas’s experience through his YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@nkhyappp
House: A Comfortable Middle Ground
Bradley, a three-semester resident at LightHouse, chose this accommodation for one key reason: balance. He explained that he wanted the convenience of staying on campus, “but not the commitment required for hall,” adding that “a House seemed like a natural choice.” Unlike halls, Houses do not require participation in CCAs or point-based systems, making them ideal for those who prefer to focus on academics or enjoy more personal time.

Bradley posing in front of the LightHouse entrance!
Bradley has stayed in two different rooms, both of which he found spacious. His favourite was on level 9, where he could enjoy the view. “I was able to look out at beautiful sunsets every evening,” he shared. At Lighthouse, bathrooms and kitchens are shared among clusters, and overall cleanliness has been manageable. “The toilets and common areas are cleaned quite regularly, so it’s been alright,”” Bradley said, though he noted with a laugh, “just gotta hope your neighbours are tidy!” The kitchen facilities are basic but functional; great for quick meals or heating up late-night snacks, though not particularly designed for elaborate cooking.

Each room also features a full-length mirror for your daily fit checks!
In terms of facilities, LightHouse residents are well taken care of. There’s a 24/7 gym, basketball and tennis courts, and an Octobox vending machine that offers snacks and groceries around the clock. Bradley also pointed out the food options nearby, raving about A Hot Hideout, Super Snacks, and especially the fish soup at the PGP canteen. “The Banh Mi from the Chinese Vietnamese stall is really good too,” he added. “Last I’ve heard, there’s a new food court being built so I may pop by to check it out too.”

Vending machines near LightHouse
If you’re looking for a quieter, low-commitment campus living experience with decent amenities and strong food options, a House like LightHouse might just hit the sweet spot.
Want to know more about LightHouse? Check out their website here: https://nus.edu.sg/osa/lighthouse
Residence: Quiet and Convenient
If you’re looking for peace, solitude, and independence, Prince George’s Park Residences (PGPR) might be just what you’re after. Jace, who stayed there for one semester in Block 1 (the block farthest from everything else in PGP) described it as “extremely quiet” as compared to her previous hall environment.
She chose PGPR because of the Residential Admission Scheme (RAS), which helped her secure a hostel spot without needing to join CCAs or clock hall points. She added that “PGPR is generally quite quiet and laid back compared to halls,” which was a major plus for her.
Her room was compact but cosy, and she was lucky enough to score a corner unit with a partial road view. As for facilities, they range from decent to surprisingly appreciated. “The lift is probably the best facility there, very reliable,”she laughed. The basketball courts and dance studios are easy to book and conveniently located, offering a nice break from academic life.

The view from Jace’s corner unit!
PGPR uses shared pantries and common bathrooms, which Jace said can sometimes get a bit grimy, especially after heavy cooking sessions. Still, she found it added a comforting, lived-in vibe. “It adds a homey vibe,” she shrugged. Cleanliness overall is standard hostel fare: not spotless, but not concerning. The infrastructure, though, does feel a little dated.
What really sets PGPR apart is its tranquility. Corridors are mostly silent after 10 or 11 p.m., and apart from the occasional conversation slipping through thin walls, it’s a peaceful place to live. There’s no real community life, and Jace admitted, “There were some field trips and small interest groups like badminton, tennis and chess, but most of them were too niche. There’s no real group chat or club to join.”

Jace enjoying a peaceful Netflix & Chill session!
For those who don’t want to be tied down by hall commitments, this is a bonus: there are no CCAs or participation requirements, since PGPR stays are typically limited to one semester.
Jace found it to be good value for money, especially given the convenient food options and access to key facilities. “Even if it’s far away from everything else on campus, the 10-minute bus ride is still better than a 1.5-hour commute,” she said. She typically got her meals from the PGP canteen, but would switch things up by heading to The Deck or NUH. On days with early classes at the Business School, she often walked instead of squeezing into crowded buses.
For students juggling heavy workloads or off-campus CCAs, PGPR offers the solitude and convenience to make things manageable. “I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to try staying on campus for a semester, or just wants a space to themselves,” she shared. “Especially for people who want to be more independent, you can decide the level of engagement that you are comfortable with at PGPR.”

Jace doing her revision in her cosy room
In short: if you’re an introvert, a busy bee, or someone who values quiet over buzz, PGPR might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Interested to know more about PGPR? Here’s the link to the website: https://nus.edu.sg/osa/pgpr
From the lively buzz of hall life to the quiet comfort of residences, each campus housing option offers a different experience. Whether you value community, independence, or convenience, there’s something for everyone. Hopefully, these personal stories gave you a clearer sense of what to expect, and what might suit you best.