[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by Black-Adder)
thanks both of you!


on these pics from Grosvenor Place......are those dishwashers in the kitchen?
I haven't seen any in Oak House.

Alas, I think those are fridges / freezers! You're right that there aren't any dishwashers in OH though.

[Black-Adder]

I hoped that there is a dishwasher :/
I don't get it why there are no dishwashers in any student accommodation.
People spend enormous amounts of water and waste energy this way.
One machine per 8-12 people wouldn't send them bankrupt.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9000

[fretter778]

(Original post by Black-Adder)
I hoped that there is a dishwasher :/
I don't get it why there are no dishwashers in any student accommodation.
People spend enormous amounts of water and waste energy this way.
One machine per 8-12 people wouldn't send them bankrupt.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9000

People constantly putting the dishwasher one or two plates due to laziness (which would inevitably happen) would waste even more energy. How much water do you use to wash up in the sink?

[ellakrystina]

(Original post by fretter778)
People constantly putting the dishwasher one or two plates due to laziness (which would inevitably happen) would waste even more energy. How much water do you use to wash up in the sink?

Exactly what I was thinking. Also, less can go wrong with sinks.

[Black-Adder]

(Original post by fretter778)
People constantly putting the dishwasher one or two plates due to laziness (which would inevitably happen) would waste even more energy. How much water do you use to wash up in the sink?

8 ppl would manage to fill the dishwasher.

I use far too much water to wash it in the sink.
A dishwasher uses not more than 20l

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

[ellakrystina]

(Original post by Black-Adder)
8 ppl would manage to fill the dishwasher.

I use far too much water to wash it in the sink.
A dishwasher uses not more than 20l

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

And this is a life skill you will learn. I think Victoria Hall has dishwashers, go there.

[elirankirsch]

Hi there. I read a lot of info on residence halls but somehow I feel that private housing wasn't elaborated enough.
I'm in need of some advice. I am an international student coming to UoM to study my MA, and I am arriving with my girlfriend and our cat

Now, since the university doesn't allow pets in halls, we are looking for private housing. But despite this and despite the fact that we are not 21 anymore (I'm 29, she's 27), we both want to live in an area with vibrant social life.

What areas do you all reccommend to look for when I search for flats? I gather Fallowfield is a party-zone whereas the city center is less student-oriented. But what about neighborhoods like Hulme, Victoria Park, Deansgate, Wilmslow, Salford (there's this big tall tower with tons of flats there, can't recall the name though). etc.?

Would appreciate an honest reply from experience.

Many thanks.

[radiator0505]

Could someone give me the number for the accommodation office?
I've tried ringing the number on the site (+441612752888) but I keep getting some company whos name I can't make out.
I think i'm annoying the woman with the amount of times i've phoned recently haha.

[lunlunsharon]

(Original post by tillytots)
As someone that lives in City Campus and with 95% of my friends living in City Campus, it really is not dull! I think it's a shame it has this stereotype (what is even more frustrating is that is usually comes from people who haven't even started at Manchester/never even been to a city halls) Yes there is a very high number of international students, but because many of the city halls are really big, the highest number you will get is probably 3, which in a flat of 9 is fine and most of the time only one will be these 'chinese phantoms.'There are lots of people in city who want to socialize, and there is a huge community spirit here (at least in my halls, Whitworth Park.) I think many people forget that lots of people in City put Fallowfield as their first choice and so are up for the whole social thing.

One of my friends here is on a study abroad year from Japan and when he came he spoke basically no English, after a year, he's practically fluent and has developed a cracking stereotypical Brit humor, he socializes with us all the time, and hasn't let the fact his English is poor stop him from making friends.

Your social life at the end of the day is what you make of it. If you want to lock yourself in your room, which some choose to do, you can and you will have no hassle. On the other hand, if you don't, you will be fine and have a brilliant time!

In terms of rooms, only Thorncliffe WP has basins, other than that you share, it's not too bad the bathroom or a sink at least is never more than 3m away, people use them at different times too, so there is no queue. The rooms vary on size, they usually are quite small, but I'm in the smallest type of room and managed to do my zumba DVD last night.

Grosvenor is probably closest if to your department as it's literally across the road from the RNCM, the room size here is decent, and they have cute little window seats, I do have a feeling kitchen and bath facilities are shared by more people though as they are in the traditional corridor halls style, which I don't know if that bothers you or not. Postgrads and undergrads are kept separate in halls.

Thanks for that! You have calmed me a lot, as those rumors make me feel that most international students there are phantoms!

Now I have decided! I will choose Grosvenor, but I don't really know much about the differences between that group of halls! Number of ppl sharing one bathroom and corridor or flat style are both fine for me, are there anything else that I should take into consideration? Can you tell me more so I can choose the one that I love the most?

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by elirankirsch)
Hi there. I read a lot of info on residence halls but somehow I feel that private housing wasn't elaborated enough.
I'm in need of some advice. I am an international student coming to UoM to study my MA, and I am arriving with my girlfriend and our cat

Now, since the university doesn't allow pets in halls, we are looking for private housing. But despite this and despite the fact that we are not 21 anymore (I'm 29, she's 27), we both want to live in an area with vibrant social life.

What areas do you all reccommend to look for when I search for flats? I gather Fallowfield is a party-zone whereas the city center is less student-oriented. But what about neighborhoods like Hulme, Victoria Park, Deansgate, Wilmslow, Salford (there's this big tall tower with tons of flats there, can't recall the name though). etc.?

Would appreciate an honest reply from experience.

Many thanks.

Hi,

Sorry you didn't feel that private housing was elaborated on enough - this FAQ is primarily aimed at 18 year olds starting their UG degree, and your circumstances are obviously quite different.

As you're just arriving with your girlfriend, you won't need to look for accommodation that is specifically marketed towards students (there are some laws that mean that houses have to be licenced to be rented out to groups of unrelated people, such as students, however you're just with your girlfriend, so it's irrelevant to you). In fact, you might be better off not telling the estate agent that you are students.

However, it will still be hard to find rented accommodation that will accept pets, and you really need to start looking as soon as possible. You may find that the best option is to come over to the UK, look for a flat that accepts cats, and then send for your cat.

You may not be aware, but the UK has some really strict regulations to stop rabies entering the country, so you will have to comply with a lot of regulations to bring your cat here http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/ If you find that your only option is to put it into quarantine for 6 months, then I'd seriously suggest that you reconsider whether or not to bring the cat - could one of your parents look after it for the year that you're in Manchester?

In terms of neighbourhoods:
- Fallowfield is indeed very student-orientated, and a social hub. However, it does have some nice quiet streets where you could let your cat out. That said, student lets (which are highly unlikely to allow cats) are almost exclusively what's on offer.
- Hulme & VP are also quite quiet, and less student-orientated
- Deansgate is very city central. It's unlikely that you would be able to find a landlord who will take your cat (the chances finding a block of flats that will take a cat are nil) and even if you could, you couldn't let your cat out because it's so busy around there.
- Wilmslow is absolutely miles out, and rather expensive. Students don't live there. You're probably getting confused with Wilmslow Road, which runs through Rusholme, Fallowfield and Withington.
- Salford is a bit rough (one unfortunate visiting international student was shot through the head there in an unprovoked attack last Christmas, although he wasn't in an area that students normally go to) and few students live there. Rent is cheaper though.

Areas that you might like to consider are Ladybarn, Rusholme, Levenshulme, Whalley Range, Withington and Didsbury. All of them have easy access to the university, along with a mix of student and non-student housing.

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by radiator0505)
Could someone give me the number for the accommodation office?
I've tried ringing the number on the site (+441612752888) but I keep getting some company whos name I can't make out.
I think i'm annoying the woman with the amount of times i've phoned recently haha.

That's strange

It might be best to send them an email though - the address is accommodation@manchester.ac.uk

[kerb123]

I've got an offer for Ashburne Hall. Is it a good place to live, and I've heard there's very few males there is that true?

[iamlovinit05]

(Original post by kerb123)
I've got an offer for Ashburne Hall. Is it a good place to live, and I've heard there's very few males there is that true?

My first choice was Ashburne hall but they put me in Owens park. Dang

[elirankirsch]

Thank you for this info. We haven't arrived in Manchester yet, to be honest, and I will be coming by myself to find a flat before my gf arrives with our cat. Letting the little tiger out won't be a problem anywhere since she is a house cat and has never left our flat, so I'm not too worried about that.
I will take a look at the areas you proposed, but I mainly use search engines I found online and realtor websites. How reliable are realtors in Manchester anyway?

If anyone had any suggestions for good search engines for flats, I'd be happy to hear about it.

And thanks for the info on Rabies, but the regulations have changed from January 1st 2012 so quarantine is not required when exporting animals and pets from Israel anymore. We are aware of all the requirements and have already begun the vetrinary process.

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by elirankirsch)
Thank you for this info. We haven't arrived in Manchester yet, to be honest, and I will be coming by myself to find a flat before my gf arrives with our cat. Letting the little tiger out won't be a problem anywhere since she is a house cat and has never left our flat, so I'm not too worried about that.
I will take a look at the areas you proposed, but I mainly use search engines I found online and realtor websites. How reliable are realtors in Manchester anyway?

If anyone had any suggestions for good search engines for flats, I'd be happy to hear about it.

And thanks for the info on Rabies, but the regulations have changed from January 1st 2012 so quarantine is not required when exporting animals and pets from Israel anymore. We are aware of all the requirements and have already begun the vetrinary process.

I have to admit that house cats are considered somewhat eccentric by many people (cruel, by a few!) here, but there you go! Glad to hear she won't need quarantine though

Realtors (or estate agents, as we call them in the UK) are moderately reliable. They won't disappear off into thin air after you've signed the contract. However, you have to read the contract very, very carefully, and get changes made as appropriate. I found a fair few inappropriate clauses in my own contract and had to get them changed (although I think this was mainly because it was an inexperienced independent landlord). Anyway, RTFC (read (and understand!!) the flipping contract! And don't let yourself be fooled by estate agents who will state that black is white ("oh no, it doesn't really mean that" "we'd never enforce that" etc.) There's also a fair chance that you won't get your deposit back, although there are techniques that you can use to counteract this, such as taking date stamped photos on the day you move in, highlighting any existing damage. There are also tenancy deposits scheme - the landlord must, by law, use one, but they are weighted in favour of the landlord.

In terms of search engines, try
findaproperty
zoopla
Manchester Student Homes
primelocation
rightmove

[gropius92]

[QUOTE=Origami Bullets;37965561]As soon as I can find someone who lives / has lived there, I will press them for information! However, as things stand I know nothing about them. If you come across someone on TSR who has lived in any of those, then can you point me in their direction?


Yes of course, thanks anyway!

[Teabo]

(Original post by mancala)
This page from the accommodation site says that only non-EU postgrads are guaranteed places in halls.

Ah, yes, that was supposed to say "arn't" in my original post, as thats why I'm in a little bit of a pickle - if they're gunna wait until the 12th to tell me whether I've got it or not, it's irritating, as I could've used the time to find and secure a place elsewhere.

[jessplease]

(Original post by iamlovinit05)
My first choice was Ashburne hall but they put me in Owens park. Dang

was owens park one of your options?

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by Teabo)
Ah, yes, that was supposed to say "arn't" in my original post, as thats why I'm in a little bit of a pickle - if they're gunna wait until the 12th to tell me whether I've got it or not, it's irritating, as I could've used the time to find and secure a place elsewhere.

You'll always be able to find a place - every year there are people advertising spare rooms, even mid-way through the year. Have a look at Manchester Student Homes message board and in the TSR classifieds to get an idea of what's on offer.

[taylorg292]

Got my first choice of Oak House with a sink yesterday yesssss The prepayment is a killer though.