Dormitory (Dorm):
* Privacy: Generally offers the least privacy. Rooms are often shared (with one or more roommates), and common areas like bathrooms and kitchens are shared amongst many residents.
* Amenities: Basic amenities are usually provided, like a bed, desk, and possibly a shared bathroom and laundry facilities. Furnishings are typically simple and standardized.
* Services: May include on-site security, laundry facilities, and sometimes meal plans. Generally managed by an institution (e.g., a college or university).
* Target Audience: Primarily students or other individuals associated with the institution managing the dorm.
* Cost: Typically the most affordable option of the three.
Apartment:
* Privacy: Offers the most privacy. Residents typically have their own private unit with a kitchen and bathroom. They don't share these facilities with other residents.
* Amenities: Can range widely, from basic to luxurious. May include in-unit laundry, parking, swimming pools, fitness centers, and other amenities.
* Services: Usually no services beyond basic building maintenance are provided.
* Target Audience: A wide range of people, including students, young professionals, families, and retirees.
* Cost: The cost varies greatly depending on size, location, and amenities. Generally more expensive than a dorm and often more expensive than a boarding house.
Boarding House:
* Privacy: Offers a moderate level of privacy. Residents typically have their own private room, but shared common areas like kitchens and bathrooms are usual. The level of sharing varies depending on the specific boarding house.
* Amenities: Amenities are usually more basic than an apartment, but more than a dorm. May include shared laundry facilities and a common kitchen.
* Services: Some boarding houses may offer some meals or housekeeping services, while others offer only basic maintenance.
* Target Audience: Often caters to a specific group, such as students, low-income individuals, or temporary workers.
* Cost: Generally falls between the cost of a dormitory and an apartment.
In short: Dorms are basic, shared living spaces, usually for students; apartments are private, self-contained units; and boarding houses fall somewhere in between, offering more privacy than a dorm but less than an apartment, with a variable level of shared amenities and services.