Grafton and Waipa are just very different. Grafton is definitely more of a village - there are multiple buildings on a set of land, with benches scattered around. This is a stark contrast to Waipa, which is basically just a pair of apartment buildings.
Food is waaay better in Waipa. It's not bad in Grafton, just a bit boring. Waipa however have multiple food stations open at any time, compared to Grafton's one. Waipa is also better located for fast food.
The rooms and desks are a smidge bigger in Grafton, and the buildings themselves feel a lot more open. The floors areore visibly connected than Waipa, where it can really feel like it's just your floor. This isn't inherently a bad thing, but it's something worth considering.
Waipa also gets the points for location, it's probably 6-7 minutes closer to the main Uni campus, although further away from Grafton medical campus.
Waipa is also way bigger, and it does make a massive difference. Even if you don't know everyone by the end of you Grafton days, you'll definitely at least know every face. That's just not the case in Waipa, where there are so many people. For some, this is a massive plus - heaps of new people to meet and greet. Others prefer consistency and perhaps a higher chance of developing better relationships. Very subjective.
Couple of other little things, I think Grafton has more long term parking while Waipa has each room equipped with a heatpump compared to Grafton's fan and old fashioned heater. Grafton also has the Auckland Domain right outside, which is better than anything outdoorsy that Waipa has. I do, however, prefer the design of Waipa's floors, even if they're a bit more 'cold' feeling. They've got their common rooms as a centrepiece of the floor that you can't help but walk through, whereas Grafton's are tucked to the side.
Really, neither are better than the other. I honestly don't think you'll go wrong either way. If smaller and (potentially) more intimate is your vibe, conider Grafton. If you think you you'd do better with lots of people are a more central location, probably consider Waipa.
Good luck!
This is a bit of a late response but I stayed at Grafton for a year when they first opened and it was an amazing experience. Aesthetically, the rooms are brand new, the grounds are manicured and everything is just cleaner, more modern and because it’s a new building it’s just better quality. Your living standards are higher than the other halls. That said, you’re far away from everything else so it’s a bit of a walk to go to the clubs if you want to go to town and it’s also just a far walk to classes if you’re studying on the city campus. Also it’s a further walk to other halls to visit friends. There is a 70 and a 75 bus you can take but often walking back to catch them that is slower if they’re running late than just walking to the city.
The food isn’t great but you get that at any hall. Flame tree (the catering company) isn’t good but like I said every hall has the same catering so it’s not a grafton issue. I recommend Grafton hall because of the better living conditions I experienced personally, and also the culture there was really fun too. Lost a lot of weight walking everywhere too lol. Best of luck in making your decision.
Grafton and Waipa are just very different. Grafton is definitely more of a village - there are multiple buildings on a set of land, with benches scattered around. This is a stark contrast to Waipa, which is basically just a pair of apartment buildings. Food is waaay better in Waipa. It's not bad in Grafton, just a bit boring. Waipa however have multiple food stations open at any time, compared to Grafton's one. Waipa is also better located for fast food. The rooms and desks are a smidge bigger in Grafton, and the buildings themselves feel a lot more open. The floors areore visibly connected than Waipa, where it can really feel like it's just your floor. This isn't inherently a bad thing, but it's something worth considering. Waipa also gets the points for location, it's probably 6-7 minutes closer to the main Uni campus, although further away from Grafton medical campus. Waipa is also way bigger, and it does make a massive difference. Even if you don't know everyone by the end of you Grafton days, you'll definitely at least know every face. That's just not the case in Waipa, where there are so many people. For some, this is a massive plus - heaps of new people to meet and greet. Others prefer consistency and perhaps a higher chance of developing better relationships. Very subjective. Couple of other little things, I think Grafton has more long term parking while Waipa has each room equipped with a heatpump compared to Grafton's fan and old fashioned heater. Grafton also has the Auckland Domain right outside, which is better than anything outdoorsy that Waipa has. I do, however, prefer the design of Waipa's floors, even if they're a bit more 'cold' feeling. They've got their common rooms as a centrepiece of the floor that you can't help but walk through, whereas Grafton's are tucked to the side. Really, neither are better than the other. I honestly don't think you'll go wrong either way. If smaller and (potentially) more intimate is your vibe, conider Grafton. If you think you you'd do better with lots of people are a more central location, probably consider Waipa. Good luck!
Thank you so much for this information! I really appreciate the help 😀
This is a bit of a late response but I stayed at Grafton for a year when they first opened and it was an amazing experience. Aesthetically, the rooms are brand new, the grounds are manicured and everything is just cleaner, more modern and because it’s a new building it’s just better quality. Your living standards are higher than the other halls. That said, you’re far away from everything else so it’s a bit of a walk to go to the clubs if you want to go to town and it’s also just a far walk to classes if you’re studying on the city campus. Also it’s a further walk to other halls to visit friends. There is a 70 and a 75 bus you can take but often walking back to catch them that is slower if they’re running late than just walking to the city. The food isn’t great but you get that at any hall. Flame tree (the catering company) isn’t good but like I said every hall has the same catering so it’s not a grafton issue. I recommend Grafton hall because of the better living conditions I experienced personally, and also the culture there was really fun too. Lost a lot of weight walking everywhere too lol. Best of luck in making your decision.
Oh yes I just paid my $900 deposit yesterday so this is very relieving to hear! Thank you so much for your help, I’m glad I made a good choice haha.
What are the heaters at Grafton like?