On 07 Jun 2005, wrote
I've had both (and now live in a "halls together"). It's a trade-off, but I would never, ever, again buy a "halls apart/share the main walls" arrangement.
The bathrooms and kitchen sounds you mention can be annoying, but in my experience sharing the sitting-room wall -- especially when the stereo and telly's against it -- is way, way more invasive.
(I'll draw a veil over the shared bedroom wall with the "halls apart" design; she was very loud in her eagerness to please, though.)