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Should I Live At Home or in Halls? FAQ & Chat Megathread

I'm going through this dilemma right now, it's literally making me wanna tear my hair out -.- I'm stuck between choosing King's College and Royal Holloway purely because of the distance. I love both universities but I know King's is much more prestigious. I'll be getting a car at the end of the year so if I go to Royal I can drive there easily, but Kings is in London so there's congestion charges and parking. However, if I take the train the journey will be between 1-2 hours. I hate travelling to college which takes me only 45 minutes! Also, I fear my social life will be hindered- I'm not a huge clubber and I like living at home because I'm in the comfort of my own house and I have a part time job which I adore.
Please help!

Reply 161

JennaK

3

Heyy, I'm just wondering if it is possible to live away from home, in halls even though I have already said I would be living at home on UCAS? I haven't completed my Student Finance yet as I still need to fill in the form. I think I might be changing my mind... The main reason I wanted to stay at home was because it is comfortable and cheaper but now it just feels annoying as I want to be more independent and I know that if I stay at home, my parents won't let that happen. What do I do? Should I wait a year and see how it goes or try to change things now?

Reply 162

Origami Bullets

OP

19

Original post by JennaK

Heyy, I'm just wondering if it is possible to live away from home, in halls even though I have already said I would be living at home on UCAS? I haven't completed my Student Finance yet as I still need to fill in the form. I think I might be changing my mind... The main reason I wanted to stay at home was because it is comfortable and cheaper but now it just feels annoying as I want to be more independent and I know that if I stay at home, my parents won't let that happen. What do I do? Should I wait a year and see how it goes or try to change things now?

They only really use that box to work out if they need to send you accommodation info, so yes, you can apply as normal

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Reply 163

SolitaryRS

1

I'll be as concise as possible

I want a new experience and change in new ways. I also want to go out whenever I want and come home at 5am without having to instead lie to my parents. I'd tell them I'd be staying over at a friends house and then go clubbing/to a bar/wherever. I also drink and have to lie about not doing so as well.

If I moved out I'd be able to do these things freely and not worry my parents which would be great. They are ok with me moving out and the accommodation I found is next door to the uni so I'll save some time too

HOWEVER

I feel like it's a bad move to pay £4000 a year for accommodation even if just for the first year considering how close I live already

Does anyone have any advice/anecdotal information they'd be willing to share? I really want to know what people think and have went through

Reply 164

Origami Bullets

OP

19

Original post by SolitaryRS

I'll be as concise as possible

I want a new experience and change in new ways. I also want to go out whenever I want and come home at 5am without having to instead lie to my parents. I'd tell them I'd be staying over at a friends house and then go clubbing/to a bar/wherever. I also drink and have to lie about not doing so as well.

If I moved out I'd be able to do these things freely and not worry my parents which would be great. They are ok with me moving out and the accommodation I found is next door to the uni so I'll save some time too

HOWEVER

I feel like it's a bad move to pay £4000 a year for accommodation even if just for the first year considering how close I live already

Does anyone have any advice/anecdotal information they'd be willing to share? I really want to know what people think and have went through

I have friends who lived relatively locally (same city) but who moved into halls for first year. Not one of them regretted it.

Don't forget that you don't have to make the decision for all three years now - you can always reevaluate your decision about where you live during first year and then change (or not change) your arrangements for second year.

Happiness > money, always

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Reply 165

SolitaryRS

1

Original post by Origami Bullets

I have friends who lived relatively locally (same city) but who moved into halls for first year. Not one of them regretted it.

Don't forget that you don't have to make the decision for all three years now - you can always reevaluate your decision about where you live during first year and then change (or not change) your arrangements for second year.

Happiness > money, always

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I've asked a number of people and they have all given me the same advice - to go for it, at least for the first year. I plan to do that :smile:

Thanks for the advice!

Reply 166

Cryptic_

13

I have the same issue. I have chosen UCA Rochester as my firm choice and now I am trying to decide whether I should apply for uni accommodation OR stay at home (I live in London, so not too far) and invest in an annual season rail card and travel to and from uni.

I need urgent advice because I need to decide soon what to go for. :confused:

Reply 167

jonathanemptage

21

Original post by Cryptic_

I have the same issue. I have chosen UCA Rochester as my firm choice and now I am trying to decide whether I should apply for uni accommodation OR stay at home (I live in London, so not too far) and invest in an annual season rail card and travel to and from uni.

I need urgent advice because I need to decide soon what to go for. :confused:

First year halls for sure then to quote Queens of the stone age "just go with the flow".

Reply 168

GCSEgirl13

8

Original post by thatsimmortality

I'm going through this dilemma right now, it's literally making me wanna tear my hair out -.- I'm stuck between choosing King's College and Royal Holloway purely because of the distance. I love both universities but I know King's is much more prestigious. I'll be getting a car at the end of the year so if I go to Royal I can drive there easily, but Kings is in London so there's congestion charges and parking. However, if I take the train the journey will be between 1-2 hours. I hate travelling to college which takes me only 45 minutes! Also, I fear my social life will be hindered- I'm not a huge clubber and I like living at home because I'm in the comfort of my own house and I have a part time job which I adore.
Please help!

Hey, im in the exact same position as you! Have you come up with what you're going to do? It would only take me 40 mins to get to rhul

Reply 169

seraya

I've applied for finance for living at home if I find the uni to far to go to on daily basis can I look for rented and just let student finance know ?

Reply 170

faaathim

1

Anyone here know about UoM uni accommodations? Q3 apartments, Njoy Student Living or New Medlock House?

Reply 171

Origami Bullets

OP

19

Original post by seraya

I've applied for finance for living at home if I find the uni to far to go to on daily basis can I look for rented and just let student finance know ?

Yes

Original post by faaathim

Anyone here know about UoM uni accommodations? Q3 apartments, Njoy Student Living or New Medlock House?

Why not go for University of Manchester owned halls?

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Reply 172

welsh_scotsman

I'm currently a second year going into my third year in September. Lived in halls in first year, lived in a student house in second year, and am now currently debating whether to continue in the student house in the third year, move into another student house with people I don't know, or just living at home and commuting.

I lived in a student house this year, and whilst I love the people, I hated the room and ended up staying in my other housemate's room all the time as my one was just too cold, which had a knock on effect on my work, which stressed me out,, etc, etc, and in short, this year has not been great mental health wise, and I'm really worried about repeating that experience next year when it really matters. One of my housemates has offered to swap rooms with me if I want though.

Second option was just to move out and try and find a nice room with other students I don't know. I'd get less distracted because I wouldn't know them as well, have a nicer room and could see my original housemates whenever I wanted, although it would still bring the stresses of living in a student house, I imagine.

Third option is to just move back home and commute. I've made friends over the last couple of years, so I'd still see them, I'd have a nice room, not have to stress about living in a student house, and wouldn't get as distracted so would be able to do my work, although I think I worry I'll be missing out socially, especially as it'll be the last year of uni - although haven't really done that much socialising this year, and I'd still see all my friends.

I'm just conscious that I need to make my mind up soon as the estate agents will be drawing up contracts soon, and I worry they won't be able to find a replacement - although I've found the perfect replacement, some of the housemates just aren't keen on them.

Any opinions?

Reply 173

Will Shakespeare

9

Original post by ChloeBelle

I'm in Year 13 and am currently trying to decide both what course to do and which university to attend. I'm torn, as I seem to have very limited choices; I live in Hertfordshire and would ideally like to commute, however, no nearby unis offer my desired course of English Literature and Journalism, so I would be forced to study either English Literature or Journalism and Creative Writing. The obvious answer would be to move away from home, however, I am reluctant to do this for a number of reasons:

1. I am a very homely person, my family means a lot to me and I can't bear the thought of leaving them for months on end.

2. I'm part of an amazing dance group and a drama society which I'm completely loyal to - as much as I love performing, I would never join another anywhere else.

3. My heart sinks when I think of leaving my boyfriend for long periods of time. I know it's a stupid reason not to move away, and I know our relationship would stand the distance, but I honestly can't imagine me being very happy without him by my side. He can't come with me, either, as he commutes to a uni not for from where we live.

However, I'm really worried about the lack of social life when you're a commuter. I know people currently as unis ranging from Wales to Coventry to Cambridge and to Essex, and they're always out and have made stacks of friends after only a month or so. How much do commuters miss out? I'm not a big clubber, but the one thing I don't have at home is many friends, and I really don't want to miss out on the opportunity to make some. I'm also a bit gutted that I can't do my ideal course from home, and that I can't find the perfect uni - I have to settle for whatever I can.

Any advice? I'm so jealous of all my friends who are at the uni of their choice and are having an amazing time! :'(

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I know I am years late to this, but I am wondering what you chose, and how it affected you :smile:

)

Reply 174

Mel-stansfield

Halls are great. Always go for bills included then saves worries.
Shared is ok if your with others like yourself or studios are great but again try get bills included as costs can sky rocket.
I found a great studio with niche and they have been really helpful too

Reply 175

M3012

This article was very helpful, I see all these positives to living in halls as to live at home I would have to travel for 1-2 hours a day in order to get to uni and the same to get back, which is of course time that could be spent studying, socialising or even working.

These points are more something I want to show my parents as they believe it will be cheaper to live at home, however, I am currently making a checklist of everything required for both living at home and elsewhere to show them the little difference in cost.

Thanks a lot
M :smile:

Reply 176

MissVampire

17

I'm stuck.

Really stuck.

The degree at the end of the day is the most important but the perceived 'Uni Life' is also something I'd like to have. And as for home, I am able to revise freely and home is something I deeply care about. I do understand that it all depends on how you are as a person and whether you can put yourself out there. I'd say I'm confident enough to make friends, join societies but will I miss out if I stay at home on that 'Uni Life' and not just socially---independence for example? And if I stayed home the first year, am I still able to go into halls, the second? Anyone help?

Reply 177

December126

13

Depends on who you are as a person! PERSONALLY I LOVE the idea of finally being independent, having my own space, being able to do what I want when I want - without judgment from parents! Live in a city far away, have a night out and easily come back since usually accomedation is in a good area near the centre and just generally feeling more grown up.
Personally I would HATE to still live with my parents, I just rrly don't enjoy it - we live in a small, boring town, feel like they treat me like a kid and I have no independence etc but that's just my opinion and how it is for me personally

Reply 178

uptownpunkk

14

I go to Brighton Film School and they don't have their own halls. There's a private version of halls down the road that is comprised of studio flats. So you kind of live on your own there, but can also socialise with the other people in the building in the shared lounge. But it's £230 so my maintenance loan wouldn't have even covered the whole cost of the accommodation alone so that wasn't an option.

There was the option of a private house share I know. But I didn't like the idea of being left to pick out potential flatmates just by talking to them online, and potentially being lumbered with really *****y flatmates because of it. I'm not a massive party person. I like going to them on occasion, but not constantly, and being 1st year I know I'm a minority in that.

So I live at home and commute. The door to door time takes about an 1 hour- 1 hour and a half each way as I have to take 2 trains to it depends on the connection time. If my mum's finished work early enough she can sometimes get me at the station I have to usually wait for my connection which makes it quicker. But most of the time she just picks me up from the home station which saves the 15-20 minute walk. These days I use the commute time to do any set reading and sometimes assignments if I've brought my laptop. Just because you're on a train doesn't mean you can't do this kind of stuff.

As for books we're always given a mandatory reading list and a recommended reading list so I always book any books out I want/need. I don't just suddenly realise I need them. --- It does require you to be more organised, though.

As for independence I've kind of got it at home. Aside from my mum picking me up and dropping my off at the station I clean my own room, cook my own food if she's working late, feed walk and generally look after our dogs. She's a single mum and I'm an adult so I don't expect her to look after me and don't really see how most people think the only way you can get independence is by moving away. If you want to be independent start doing it at home... your rents will love it.

I also get to keep my job, which means I don't have to worry about finding another one if I had moved away. And it means I can save up some money to get a nicer place in second year.

Yeah I am planning on moving out for second year potentially. Because of the accommodation situation at film school about half of my class commutes. And ofc other people on our course will be looking for flatmates for next year. It means I've gotten to know some people on my course and potentially be able to house hunt with them... saving that whole I don't know what they'll be like situation.