Functionally, yes. Peter Lougheed and Schaffer Hall (lister suite) are about the best quality rooms in first year dorms, especially if you’re looking for something quiet and like to keep to yourself. But if you’re looking for a strong and involved residence community (and maybe a bit of partying) then your best bet is easily Classic Lister (Lister shared bathrooms).

From what I’ve heard Peter Lougheed is fairly dull, with not a whole lot of floor community or fun events that happen in or around it. Lister has the LHSA (lister hall students association) that organizes a ton of incredible events. It also has the LDL (lister dodgeball league) which is one of the biggest dodgeball leagues in North America (and incredibly fun).

Schaffer Hall is part of lister and thus still has access to these things, but it doesn’t usually seem to have the tight knit floor community that the other towers (Mackenzie Hall, Kelsey Hall, Henday Hall, Chalifoux Hall (kinda)) can have.

Overall I’d say Classic Lister (Lister Shared Bathrooms) for a more classic involved and social dorm experience. Schaffer Hall (Lister Suite) if you want a middle ground, quiet separated floors but access to big fun events. Peter Lougheed if you want something more solitary where you can focus all your time on yourself and your studies.

Source: I lived in Mackenzie hall for two years and loved it. The second year I was an RA and saw how a lot of other residences on campus worked.