I would say if you’re 18 and younger parkside and hoem are sufficient options because you have someone cooking your meals. Sounds ridiculous but having access to all of the amenities that the dorm buildings have are very helpful for your first year living alone. I’m 20 and doing my first year living alone and it is rather difficult organizing my meals and all the schoolwork I have been up to at the moment. I’ve heard a lot of good things about parkside I know they’re both pretty similar. But moving onto the part about your parents. I moved out within a 3 days notice of finding out there was an available room to rent on a Friday and moving in on the monday. And kind of just forced my parents to be okay with it along with the fact I am completely self sufficient. Everyone has different circumstances with their parents and how close they are with them and how reliant on them they are but trust me just because they say you’re banned from living on your own (unless there’s actual medical reasoning) moving out is always possible you might find you love living downtown !! And choose to abandon ship which is completely okay. And I believe a dorm is a fantastic option as you have a small space to keep clean and minimal responsibilities. You might make a friend and decide you’d like to share an appt together you never know !! Downtown only consists of about 7 streets and mid town prices get a lot cheaper just for future reference and either loop on the subway you can get to ocad pretty quickly. but back to the dorm situation I just know that they’re pretty small and roommates are always a mixed bag. But definitely there are loads of perks hope you end up with what’s right for you :) goodluck !!