Finding a Flat close enough to SOAS

Have you considered the intercollegiate UoL Halls? They are predominantly catered, reasonably expensive but affordable, and The Garden Halls only opened last year. I'm aware of some SOAS students who reside there, and being a central location, it is easily accessible etc.

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Reply 2

OP

First of all, thank you so very much for taking the time to respond. I am now considering some of those halls, some of them do have stand alone flats with your own personal kitchen and restroom. Unfortunately, in terms of my knowing about them, this knowledge came late. Although I have been in touch with SOAS on a regular basis, I think it was just something that sort of slipped through the cracks-the mention of U of L's various buildings and properties. I think once I said I was not looking at or interested in a dormitory, shared space, or a flat mate, the personnel I spoke with perhaps thought those things meant I would not consider housing owned by the university. Then a few weeks ago, when I started having some problems and hitting the wall in my searches, I called in again to a few people, and researched a little bit on SOAS site and found a few people to contact personally, and it was then that the U of L halls came up, but by then, what I am noticing is the ones I would be interested are on a "wait-list" or fully booked. But I definitely will continue to look. I don't mind securing my place with a small deposit or something, but I am very reluctant to fork over any major funds until I am there to see the property in person and review the neighborhood.

Original post by wikiellie

Have you considered the intercollegiate UoL Halls? They are predominantly catered, reasonably expensive but affordable, and The Garden Halls only opened last year. I'm aware of some SOAS students who reside there, and being a central location, it is easily accessible etc.

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Reply 3

I'm glad to help! Regarding the deposits and viewing the accommodation, I know that The Garden Halls (where I will be staying) require a deposit of £500, presumably likewise for the other UoL Halls. They do have a website as well, with photos and videos of rooms that can be accessed:

http://halls.london.ac.uk/

I hope you find this useful.

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Reply 4

OP

I ABSOLUTELY find this helpful...that is NOT what I had! So I will need to review it. Yes, I can do that, with no problem...and its probably a safe thing to do so...private letters want the real deposit (LOL!!) -of 1-2 months and so, for those, definitely, I would have to be there, but to save one or two of these might be a very smart move, to have something, just in case. What will you be studying, if I may ask?

Original post by wikiellie

I'm glad to help! Regarding the deposits and viewing the accommodation, I know that The Garden Halls (where I will be staying) require a deposit of £500, presumably likewise for the other UoL Halls. They do have a website as well, with photos and videos of rooms that can be accessed:

http://halls.london.ac.uk/

I hope you find this useful.

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Reply 5

Original post by luq_ali

I ABSOLUTELY find this helpful...that is NOT what I had! So I will need to review it. Yes, I can do that, with no problem...and its probably a safe thing to do so...private letters want the real deposit (LOL!!) -of 1-2 months and so, for those, definitely, I would have to be there, but to save one or two of these might be a very smart move, to have something, just in case. What will you be studying, if I may ask?

It certainly is a very useful website, and provides useful answers to FAQs as well as the relevant contact details. I will be starting Nursing (Adult) at KCL, my second degree. I'm a mature student (23), so my only hope is that I am not sharing accommodation with several 18 year olds when I start! I have been assured though that mature students are generally placed together, which is somewhat reassuring.

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Reply 6

OP

Well, if you are a mature student, given that I have more than 8 years on you, I must be considered ancient or a mummy or something! :smile:

Congratulations on the nursing program, that is an awesome profession, and to be able to help people will be truly rewarding. I think the Gower Hall is for only postgraduates, otherwise, it would be a great way to avoid the possibility of having the wild 18 year old. I know you are better informed than me, but wanted to give a few things in case you missed them.

http://studenthomes.london.ac.uk/prospective/school-oriental-and-african-studies/property-details

http://www.housing.london.ac.uk/find-accommodation/registered-independent-halls-residence

My suggestion is NOT to leave it to chance, you have the right to know in advance, who your room-mate is supposed to be, and to talk to them and get a feel for them in advance. Not sure what your previous experience was before, but I was always a mature minded person, so even at 18 (though admittedly I was wild and had some fun :smile:

) it was stressful having the WRONG person. And as you know, to have to live with someone with different standards, priorities, it can be a beast especially when it comes to not being able to study or relax in your own home.

Original post by wikiellie

It certainly is a very useful website, and provides useful answers to FAQs as well as the relevant contact details. I will be starting Nursing (Adult) at KCL, my second degree. I'm a mature student (23), so my only hope is that I am not sharing accommodation with several 18 year olds when I start! I have been assured though that mature students are generally placed together, which is somewhat reassuring.

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Reply 7

Original post by luq_ali

Well, if you are a mature student, given that I have more than 8 years on you, I must be considered ancient or a mummy or something! :smile:

Congratulations on the nursing program, that is an awesome profession, and to be able to help people will be truly rewarding. I think the Gower Hall is for only postgraduates, otherwise, it would be a great way to avoid the possibility of having the wild 18 year old. I know you are better informed than me, but wanted to give a few things in case you missed them.

http://studenthomes.london.ac.uk/prospective/school-oriental-and-african-studies/property-details

http://www.housing.london.ac.uk/find-accommodation/registered-independent-halls-residence

My suggestion is NOT to leave it to chance, you have the right to know in advance, who your room-mate is supposed to be, and to talk to them and get a feel for them in advance. Not sure what your previous experience was before, but I was always a mature minded person, so even at 18 (though admittedly I was wild and had some fun :smile:

) it was stressful having the WRONG person. And as you know, to have to live with someone with different standards, priorities, it can be a beast especially when it comes to not being able to study or relax in your own home.

It's nice to know I won't be the only mature student around! Do you currently work in the legal sector? Which state are you from? I have been to the U.S many times over the years, and to a different area on each occasion :smile:

I am very much looking forward to commencing my course, and being able to acquire skills and help people during placements. My uncle is a retired GP consultant, and I have an aunt who worked as a senior nurse lecturer, so my family background is certainly medical!

Yes, I believe Gower Hall is for Postgrads only, and Connaught Hall primarily houses first-time undergraduates. I will be staying at The Garden Halls, which caters for both. Most of the accommodation is also single-rooms, so no need to worry about roommates etc. :smile:

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Reply 8

OP

Me too, definitely looking forward to study at SOAS, learn and hopefully just grow as a person. I live in Washington D.C. I do a lot of consulting now(labor and employment), but used to purely practice law and did a lot of criminal defense work when I was an assistant public defender and in private practice, but it is so hard to have a life, or even take breaks, being active in trial work, but I value that experience. I'm originally from Detroit, MI. (but I also grew up in a military family, so I had the chance to live quite a bit, both domestic and abroad, as well as to live in Germany as a child growing up). Did you have a chance to visit Michigan or the Mid-West? My Mother is a retired nurse, her Mom-my Grandmother was a nurse, several of my Mom's sisters were nurses...so I also have a great love and respect for nursing and the medical profession.

Do you know-I know TESCO has fresh organics (I'm a vegetarian), as does Whole Foods Market, and Planet Organics, do you know if the Farmers markets-where things will be a little cheaper, also features those type of items?

Original post by wikiellie

It's nice to know I won't be the only mature student around! Do you currently work in the legal sector? Which state are you from? I have been to the U.S many times over the years, and to a different area on each occasion :smile:

I am very much looking forward to commencing my course, and being able to acquire skills and help people during placements. My uncle is a retired GP consultant, and I have an aunt who worked as a senior nurse lecturer, so my family background is certainly medical!

Yes, I believe Gower Hall is for Postgrads only, and Connaught Hall primarily houses first-time undergraduates. I will be staying at The Garden Halls, which caters for both. Most of the accommodation is also single-rooms, so no need to worry about roommates etc. :smile:

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Reply 9