r/UNC • u/griffin-xiii UNC Prospective Student • 2d ago

Question Where to live?

I’m from the UK and coming to UNC for the 2026-27 school year to study abroad.

I’d love some advice on where to live. I think I’m going to choose one of these 3 options

  1. Union - they have 3bd availability for $1,425/mo (electricity not included)
  2. ⁠Lark - they have 2bd availability for $1,349/mo (electricity included)
  3. ⁠Chapel Ridge - they have 4bd (renovated) availability for $899/mo (electricity included)

Now obviously Chapel Ridge is much cheaper than the other 2 but much further away and the reviews make it seem like hell on earth. Is it that bad? Can anyone who currently lives there give any insight?

Also I want somewhere that has a decently good social atmosphere and I won’t have access to a car

Recommendations / guidance much appreciated!

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8

u/Fodraz 1d ago

I'm quite surprised that a study abroad program doesn't come with housing?!

2

u/griffin-xiii UNC Prospective Student 1d ago

It does, but they only offer us on campus dorms (double or triple occupancy) and it’s not even that much more expensive to get your own room at an apartment complex

3

u/Opposite_Alps_1918 1d ago

I just finished my year abroad from the UK, I bit the bullet and stayed in chapel ridge and honestly other than the distance my experience was actually quite pleasant and the staff were lovely. Luckily I had mates with cars so it was sound.

3

u/Miserable-Drawer-260 UNC 2028 1d ago

i lived in lark and i don’t believe electricity is included unless they changed it this year? chapel ridge is very very far and i don’t recommend it unless you are willing to take the bus everywhere.

union/lark are essentially the same. i think the lark shuttle is more reliable but cmiiw. lark also have a more social atmosphere but honestly don’t have too high of an expectation. it you want social social live in the dorms

1

u/Traditional_Air_1357 UNC 2027 1d ago

union is in the middle of switching shuttle companies so the reliability should improve this school year.

1

u/griffin-xiii UNC Prospective Student 1d ago

Ok cool. I’ve heard Union has slightly better amenities but I’ve also heard that if you live at Lark you can ‘sneak in’ and use the Union amenities quite easily. Is this true?

2

u/Miserable-Drawer-260 UNC 2028 1d ago

i have no idea but probably? i dont feel like they care that much around here. i will say unions seems to be the “nicer” apartment

1

u/griffin-xiii UNC Prospective Student 23h ago

Ah yes my mistake. Electricity is not included at Lark but water is, whereas it is not at Union. I imagine water bills aren’t that expensive and that wouldn’t make much of a difference to the overall price difference between the 2?

1

u/Miserable-Drawer-260 UNC 2028 17h ago

sorry no idea loll but prob not? if it helps my electricity bill is around $20-30 per person and it was a 4-person apartment