Halls for first year are a positive. You get to experience the social side of uni much easier if you're in a hall and surrounded by other students, most of whom are in the same boat: first year away from home. Certainly when WCMnr did his first year in hall he had a great time. Plus the advantage of not having to MAKE SURE you've put enough money to one side to ensure gas, electricity, phone, water, etc all budgeted for. His was self-catering and he definitely benefited from it. Second & final year he's been in private accommodation. Final year much more pleasant than second year.
Edit: Forgot to add - when I went to university, back in the dim recesses of the dawn of pre-history, I didn't go into halls and I regret this very much. I missed out on a part of uni life others didn't.