Private Housing or Residences?

Hey guys, I'm a second year (19 y.o) Australian exchange student who plans on studying at UoL starting September. I really want to get out and about as much as possible and be really social, and was wondering what the living circumstances are. Do most people only live in the residences for their first year and then move off to private housing or do people tend to stay in the Halls/Residences for longer periods of time? I'm basically trying to find somewhere to live where it is as social as possible.

If people generally live in the Residences for longer, I've been reading that maybe Devonshire, James Bailie, Lupton and Leodis are the best for the sort of thing I'm looking for? ALso, are the 4 residences right on campus (henry price, ellerslie, lyddon and charles morris) typically for freshers and first years?

Cheers for the help.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 1

ZolaCFC25

18

G'day mate. Not sure i want to reply after the Ashes result but anyway...

The vast majority of first years live in halls, a few get pushed out into university-owned housing, but a small few, usually older or those who live locally, live in private houses. It's rare for first years to live in houses and the uni don't recommend this in order to get used to things first, plus it helps socially. I think they even guarantee halls to all first years. In second year and beyond, the vast majority live in private housing, but some stay in halls/student housing. All halls are predominately for first years.

I personally am going back to Leeds for further study/law conversion next year and am planning to go back to halls (Charles Morris) as a returner. I would recommend halls, for sure. The campus halls are very good. Charles Morris is quite expensive and you do get what you pay for. The other campus halls are all OK. I lived in James Baillie in first year and it was OK, Devonshire (the catered part) has a reputation for being boarding/private school dominated. Charles Morris is very private school dominated too.

Hope that helps.

Reply 2

aussieexchange

OP

Thanks for the answer man. So in terms of social life you wouldn't really recommend going to private housing eh? I just feel that I would want to be with people more my age and since most of the people who live in halls are first years I might be a bit of an odd one out. Is there some sort of forum for private housing where people look for houses/roommates etc...?

Reply 3

ZolaCFC25

18

Original post by aussieexchange

Thanks for the answer man. So in terms of social life you wouldn't really recommend going to private housing eh? I just feel that I would want to be with people more my age and since most of the people who live in halls are first years I might be a bit of an odd one out. Is there some sort of forum for private housing where people look for houses/roommates etc...?

Not really sure to be honest. I think you would be put in at random. Halls are definitely better socially. Will you be 20? In which case, people will only be 1/2 years younger generally and you could maybe ask them to put you in with people your age if possible. You may even be put with other exchange students or returners/post-grads. They will try to accommodate you better since you are coming from abroad.

Reply 4

yasminzaracc

Ho

Original post by BCcfc92

G'day mate. Not sure i want to reply after the Ashes result but anyway...

The vast majority of first years live in halls, a few get pushed out into university-owned housing, but a small few, usually older or those who live locally, live in private houses. It's rare for first years to live in houses and the uni don't recommend this in order to get used to things first, plus it helps socially. I think they even guarantee halls to all first years. In second year and beyond, the vast majority live in private housing, but some stay in halls/student housing. All halls are predominately for first years.

I personally am going back to Leeds for further study/law conversion next year and am planning to go back to halls (Charles Morris) as a returner. I would recommend halls, for sure. The campus halls are very good. Charles Morris is quite expensive and you do get what you pay for. The other campus halls are all OK. I lived in James Baillie in first year and it was OK, Devonshire (the catered part) has a reputation for being boarding/private school dominated. Charles Morris is very private school dominated too.

Hope that helps.

If they are private school dominated, do the people tend to not socialise? Are they cliquey ? I want to go to Leeds in September 2015 but I love Charles Morris Hall and if that's the case then I'll look elsewhere :/

Reply 5

ZolaCFC25

18

Original post by yasminzaracc

Ho

If they are private school dominated, do the people tend to not socialise? Are they cliquey ? I want to go to Leeds in September 2015 but I love Charles Morris Hall and if that's the case then I'll look elsewhere :/