General

I lived in a double, suite style dorm so there was a lounge and bathroom shared by another pair of roommates. We got along, never had any trouble with each other but it was pretty lonely because of the suite layout (can't leave the door open because it all leads to the outside).

Unless you guys were bffs/super close already then really, don't go for living with a friend. I had a friend who reconnected with a friend from middle school and they got sick of each other real quick.
I had friends who lived in triples/quads. It's crazy cramped but I didn't really hear complaints about the people they lived with. I do think it runs a higher risk of non-compatibility though. And all the rooms I visited always had a bunkbed+single bed, maybe lofted for triples.

If you can afford to have a single, do it. Unless you like being around someone, then room with someone you're close to and would never get tired of and also who doesn't have a lot of bad habits (ie. dirty, lazy, etc) If you plan on living in a triple/quad, just know that your privacy will be limited and if it's people who don't have a really good work ethic, you'll most likely be in the library A LOT just to be able to study because they'll always be trying to turn up during midterms instead of studying hahaha.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I don't really know how much it costs to have a single in your state, but in Southern California it's pretty darn expensive... wish I could have a single sometimes lol

I lived in a triple during my freshman year. I personally loved it, but I'd advise against it if you happen to enjoy your privacy.

However, I'd recommend living in a double over a single for the reasons you've mentioned yourself.

I lived in a single studio and it was amazing. Your social life doesn't suffer from it. It's when I moved into a flat with other people when the drama started. Room mates can be fun, but they can also be horrendous. Let's just say that mine were absolutely crap.

I'm moving back to a single room in August.

I was in similar situation with you. There are many instances, and I have seen it myself, where friendships are destroyed when they moved in together. It can be for better, though I have not personally seen it, or for worse.
I live in double room at my uni with a randomly matched with roommate. I could not be happier with my situation. Though I would wish for a single room at times. When its time for exams or just to study, having a room by self is probably the best thing. You have literally the freedom to do whatever you wish and whenever you wish for.
My opinion go for single otherwise go for double. When its 3 or 4, things can get out of hand at times.

i think the double is the best room setup in college. the single room is too small and is really only good for having private time. a triple usually is just a bunk+loft with a desk underneath so the room isn't much bigger. and having one more roommate isn't going to suddenly make you meet a ton of people. you'll make more friends in your floor/classes/clubs than within your own room. the triple is cheaper though.

but the chances are that you don't really have a choice on what kind of room you get. i asked for a double for my freshman year but i ended up in a triple that was connected to another triple via a bathroom.

If you plan on living with a friend, talk about how you each live first without blindly deciding to live with each other.
You'll realize once you're in college that it will be hard to do a lot of mind intensive things in your room.
Writing papers, studying, etc. I need to sit at a table in a brightly lit room before I do any of that stuff.
The only kind of work I ever do in my room is like online assignments I can kind of just mindlessly do.
You may be different but that's something I'm finding with me and a lot of the people I associate with.

Also, if you aren't some sort of recluse and get involved with stuff, you will hardly ever be in your room anyways.
I went random and my roommate is great and we are living together with some other dudes on our floor next year in a suite.
The thing with him is, HE NEVER LEAVES THE GODDAMN ROOM. I was hoping my roommate would be some hypersocial dude who would help me make friends.
NOPEEEE. I literally got the opposite of that. I even made myself seem like an outgoing guy too on the questionnaire.

Based on what you've written, it sounds like you'd prefer a triple or quad...I don't know your entire situation though.

If you're not a hipster, Ann Arbor sucks dude.

Anyway, I'd say go for a triple or a quad because you'll be saving money while having more opportunities to network and improve your social skills. It's not like your room will be the only place to study. My first year at Michigan, I was in a double with a Chinese guy. At first he was cool, but I couldn't handle all of the irritating things he did after winter break. I almost decked him across the face on multiple occasions -- and I'm not even a violent person! Maybe it would have been better if I had another roommate or two along with him.

Go Blue!

Hey! I'm over at MSU I have a lot of friends at UMich.
A word of advice, please don't take a single. It may seem appealing to have a quiet space or a place to be alone, but after awhile it really sucks. I was in a single for the first time this semester and I was so lonely. I would say get a double. With any more than one other person I find that it gets a little hard to concentrate and feel like you have [i]some[/i] space. I met some of my best friends while living in a double room, I hope you do too!

Oh, and as for the size of the room, they don't differ too much. I've been in UMich double rooms and they are pretty standard around campus and you get a lot of furniture that is made to easily store a bunch of stuff. It might be a shift from your room at home, but just take time to make it nice, comfortable, clean, and personal and you should be fine. Best of luck!