Hey guys. I'm a first year doing Maths. I'm also Social Secretary for Cardiff University Mountaineering Club and I'm working at the Student Development Unit (Third floor Students Unions) 2012/13. My friend is trying to choose accommodation and so I gave him this rant. You may find this useful.. It's pretty rushed!
Friend: I will be doing music and i would like to be with people who obviously wanna go out a lot, close to subject building and definitely ensuite, there probably the main things... Ohh and if possible car parking spaces, or somewhere where you can just leave your car xxx
My longass reply:
the ones i know are ensuite are talybonts, some uni halls, allensbank (near heath i believe), colum hall, gordon hall, senghennydd hall
TALYBONT COURT
where im at, at the moment. most expensive, closest to the talybont entrance in comparison of all talys. all talys have their own car parks so youd need to look on the website to see how much it costs. the kitchens have an american diner table which i found horrible for trying to have flat meals cos its quite high up and thin so you hve to sit on tall chairs. i live above reception with the double windows. this house isnt the most socialable because our hallways are quite long. you usually get to know ur floor. noise isnt too much of a problem. u can never hear other flats, only your own. i wouldnt choose this because its not really worth the money and i think its okay to not live in the nicest flat in first year because its more about the experience. next year youll live in a nice house
TALY NORTH & SOUTH
north is closest to big tesco, but varies. you can be right next to tesco or quite near to south. taly south - mid way in between court and north. north is the livest place to live, everyones really sociable and south is similar. because you'll be driving, the distance doesnt really matter but it isnt even that long and its a massive plus side you have grass around you and big tesco near. the rooms are smaller than court but still liveable and the kitchens are pretty tiny butyou have a proper table! lol
if i were you, i'd go on an accom tour because i didnt and i really regret it
UNI HALLS
the furthest away. i would stay away lol. not worth it and its not even that much cheaper
ALLENSBANK
i have no idea about. its usuall for medics and etc but you'l be on cathays campus so its too far
COLUM HALL
ive not actually been there. its opposite the business school and very near to uni. about 5/8mins walk away. no parking i think, but im not too sure.
GORDON HALL
no idea lol
SENGHENNYDD HALL
now, this is the closest one to town, and in cathays. i wanted to move to here from court half way thorugh the year but they never got back to me. its opposite senghennydd court and dnt get them confused. seng court is a ****hole lol. seng hall i found is a odd version of taly. i think you'll have to see it to see if you like it. its right next tothe maths building and i think it does have parking right next to it. its about 3/5mins from town and its round the back of the union. you get evening meals and for what you pay, its not actually that bad.
FINAL ADVICE
i'd say go for talys, senghennydd hall or colum hall
i found taly far to walk. for me it was only 15/20mins, but even so, still an effort when my friends could stroll out of bed to uni. being that far meant i did miss 9am lecturses cos i had to wake up earlier than everyone else. you have to taxi to town and etc. its 20/30mins walk to town so on a night out, you wouldnt be able to walk back.
colum hall and senghennydd are good distances. have a look at them and if u want to speak to ppl living there, i can get you into contact. good luck!! xxxxxxxxx
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