Thanks so much!! I heard similar things about Columbia's housing and I have just applied for it earlier this week. But I also heard the available spot is pretty competitive...So I'll also look for off-campus while I am waiting to hear back.
Finally decided to choose the MA program at Columbia over the U.K. program. Just started to look for housing now. Any other art history people who decide to go there and look for housing? Feel free to PM me. And any tips for apartment hunting is welcome!
From what I heard, some current grad students in Columbia's PhD program actually did UChicago's MAPH before and seemed happy about it. But I am also debating. Any advice is welcome.