Manchester Private Accommodation Comparison!

Dear all,

This is my first post. I will be going to University of Manchester(Manchester Business School) to complete my final year of studies in Management. I am not in the UK currently, therefore I am unable to make any actual viewing which is crucial to make a decision. Therefore I hope any of you here will be able to shed some light.

I was searching high and low for accommodation choices. I have gone through the sticky post by OrigamiBullet which is more than helpful, however, I am skewed towards private accommodation. Hopefully any of you kind souls in Manchester will be able to give any input.

I have a play hard work harder mentality, and since its my final year, i do not want to screw it up. Therefore, going to Fallowfield University accommodation and have parties every night is not what I am looking for. I am more of a chill at a bar, or have great drinks and a bunch of mates, and an occasion club type of guy. haha.

I am looking for ensuite accommodation, and i have narrowed down to several private accommodations. My budget stretches all the way till 130 Pounds a week. Convenience is important with regards to proximity to supermarket etc.

1) Sanctuary Students - Wanted to go with Denmark Road but its full! Trying for the one at Grafton Street.

2) CRM Students - Fairfield Lambert
I have a big question with Fairfield Lambert and I'm not sure of its history. Anyway, I know the hooha about Opal properties and I would like to avoid them. However, Fairfield Lambert seems to not be with Opal and is with CRM Students. Can anyone clarify? I was attracted to its great furnishing and it seems to be brand new for 2014/2015. If theres no issue with Opal, I am inclined to try out this place. Anyone?

3) CRM Students - Ropemaker Court and LadyBarn House
Anyone have any experience with this? These two don't seem to have a huge living room space for flatmates to socialise, i can't get any information on this.
I am attracted to Ladybarn House for its convenience to supermarkets, bars and clubs, and student life. However I have heard that these two accommodations are quite dead and not lively.

4) MansionBank - They seem to have great price and value for its location and furnishing. However again, not much information is given, even with regards to its price. Any one have any experience

City Vs Victoria Vs Fallowfield
Comparing these 3 places, do the cost of food differs? for e.g. expenses in city are higher as compared to fallowfield? Thats how it is like in my hometown. Anyone care to share any input?

I apologise if these have been mentioned in previous post. Anyone who are prospecting to go to these accommodation or have been there, I hope to hear your comments as it will come useful to me, and many others who are making a decision.

Once again, thank you for your time.

Reply 1

Origami Bullets

Having just finished final year at Manchester, I do appreciate the stresses and strains that come with final year!

I've never lived in any of those halls, and so I'll struggle to offer any in depth analysis, but of what I do know
- Opal has collapsed and CRM is a separate company that bought out Lambert & Fairfield. Up until a couple of years ago it was actually leased to the university, though this arrangement has since ended. The location is very central though.
- I'd be wary of living on Grafton Street - you're going to be right next to the MRI's A&E department, so expect to hear ambulance sirens on a very regular basis. In addition, last time I went past those halls, the ground floor (which is meant to be shops) was all boarded up :s-smilie:

)
- Ropemaker Court is on the edge of Moss Side, which is a fairly notorious area that I wouldn't choose to live in.
- Ladybarn House is by far the most convenient for the supermarket - it's right next to a large Sainsburys.

Being 'dead' is a complaint that tends to be levelled at a lot of private halls - they tend to attract a funny mix of postgrads, internationals, non-freshers and others who aren't known for wanting to socialise much.

One alternative - you could try finding a spare room in a shared house. For instance, I know that Drakes are now accepting people who just want to rent a single room in one of their shared houses http://drakes.co.uk/lettings and you can usually find a spare room via TSR's Find a Flatmate forum. Of course, you should ensure that you speak to the other tenants before moving in with them to check that you'd be compatible - and I'd suggest trying to live with other final years or postgrads.

Living in the city centre isn't really significantly more expensive, after you've allowed for rent. The only annoying thing is that you will have to get on a bus to get to big supermarkets, as the only supermarkets in the city centre are small, lack choice and are relatively expensive (with the exception of Chinatown, which is a bit different).

University of Manchester

Manchester

Reply 2

goodenuff

Based on what you said. That actually lives with Lambert Fairfield and Ladybarn House.

Lambert and Fairfield seems to be just refurnished. But I'm just wondering how well will the works be done or will they be rushed? Taking into consideration there's still 13/14 lease. Which does not give them much time for the refurbishment. would you say it is a smart decision to stay here? Any one staying here next year? I am actually interested in this place as it seems new and the location is great. Other than not having a huge supermart

Also, as an international student. Is it normal to pay in FULL prior to shifting in. That would mean that we pay a years rent in full even prior to visiting the flat that we are living in.

Anyone here have any experience with CMR management and accommodations?

Reply 3

Origami Bullets

Based on a set of information that isn't complete, I would go for Lambert & Fairfield or Ladybarn House, yes.

It's not unusual to ask international students to pay all their rent upfront. If you were from the UK you'd have to get a parent to be your guarantor, but as you presumably don't have anyone in the UK willing to act as a guarantor, they'll want your rent upfront (FWIW guarantors are an annual headache for me as my parents squawk over acting as my guarantor, and landlords squawk over the questionable suitability of my parents as guarantors!)

I have no idea about the refurbishment works though, and no experience with CRM management either.

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Reply 4

lwsrn

I lived in a Mansion property (don't do it!) right by RopeMaker Court this year. RopeMaker doesn't actually seem that bad. I think it's an accommodation particularly for international students to be honest. Seemed to be quiet when you need it to be and lively when you don't. Also its not really in Moss Side. It's in Rusholme. An even then it's still on the main road by uni. i'd say a 15 minute walk - same as any. Its actually only minutes away from Denmark Road.

Reply 5

shygirl26

denmark road is party central and full of indians trust me i've just completed my final year in manchester and have friends that live there and also say the same. I lived at grafton street its also pretty wild place to live if your looking for something that is quiet i would recommend ropemaker not sure about the other as i've never lived there
hope this helps!

Manchester Private Accommodation Comparison!

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