hard to say. lots of pros and cons.
I only live 30 mins from my uni so i just stayed at home. I graduate next month and i've made like no friends. I'm not a loner or that, at uni there's lots of nice people who i know, go to class with, chat to, have lunch etc. Problem is i wouldn't class them like as proper friends bcos we don't do anythin outside uni. As i near the end of my time at uni i really wish i'd moved into halls and had a proper uni experience, u no drinking, taking drugs, not washing, political protesting, chlamydia, the usual student stuff. But bcos i stayed at home my exposure to that type of life has been very limited. i still go on nights out and stuff but i don't really feel as tho i'm living the student life. and i wish i had done.
But on the other hand, i'm so much better off financially, i'm set to move into a good full time job the minute i graduate bcos i was able to get a good job, get a brand new car etc.
so there's pros and cons for both. but going from my experience i'd say go to halls, at least for your first year.