So on Saturday I went to take a look at two places!
Halley House and Russel View and here is my verdict on the two ill rate them on location, appearance and room, security, price, facilities and over all feel!
Halley House has a number of different ensuites and this is my review on the classic! Overall rating 8/10
Appearance and room 9/10;
It was honestly a really lovely building and each cluster of flats was spacious! It was a bit of a maze going through the corridors to your flat but because it was a nice modern building is wasn't bad. The room it's self was nice and spacious, bare in mind this was the smallest of the rooms they have as well! The room I looked at had dark oaky furniture and it had plenty of plugs and a double bed, the only negative I would give the room its self would be the bed is quite close to the study desk so sometimes it may be difficult to pull your chair out, the room does come with a kitchen with a microwave oven, hobs and a freezer etc etc, which my only fault would be the freezer being the size of a small shelf, and learning how to use a microwave oven which isn't hard. It's not like you're going to cook a roast for yourself...
There was a nice amount of storage space, including under bed storage where you lift the mattress, the wardrobes came wth draws/shelves and a rack to hang your clothes on as well, it was a nice size for university wardrobes. The flat I viewed they brought their own draws from home too and it was nice that they could fit that in their room, it also had a full length mirror which is nice.
What really won me over for this place was the en-suite, it wasn't a wet room it was a full on en-suite with toilet, basin and a large funky shower (by that I mean it was strong, had different settings for the head, and even a chair) it had a mirror across the whole of one wall and kept the dark oak furniture to the theme as it had cabinates. I'll try get photos! It was very clean too! If I lived here I wouldn't feel like I lived in student accommodation but had my own little place which was nice.
Location 10/10;
Halley house is down a side street in the middle of the city near the fountains! Mcdonalds is a 30 second walk away if you crave a McDonald's breakfast and Nottongham Trent University is a 5 minute walk, the location for a studio in the city centre in my opinion couldn't be greater than this one!
Facilities 7/10;
One thing that I believe was a perk of this place is the gym being apart of your weekly rent, it's a small gym but apparently no one tends to use it so you pretty much have it to yourself!
There's a very small underground parking for the building, I didn't ask if you have to pay for it but by the looks of it I don't think you had to, it could probably only fit a maximum of 10 cars but when I was there there was only four parked, oh, and small cars only it was tiny.
The common room was nice, Sky TV included however I was told it's rarely used. Each room has its own TV I guess, TV license isn't included but was told they never check if you use it as the building has one they done care about individual rooms.
I didn't get to see the laundry room but it does have one.
Price 10/10;
Now the price for the classic studio was £120 a week, I think for absolutely everything included, and how the nice the room was and the location it is definitely worth the price.
Secuirity 7/10;
I'm not sure on the front desk as I didn't go through that entrance, however you need a fob key to get anywhere on the flat, and only yours lets you into your room. The student who showed me around said the managers are lovely and always happy to help, but I didn't ask too many questions and it really isn't so important to me, but it's a safe building that no one will really break into by the looks.
Others 5/10;
I really like this place, and I think the price is really good for what you get, however Im not so sure on the idea of my own kitchen, being in a self contained studio means minimum socialisation, you don't get fresher reps that help you meet new people so if you're not a very outgoing person it was be difficult in your first year to make good friends, some people may prefer this but I think I like the idea of a communal kitchen to meet and greet other students.
Russell view has a different variety of room from a 6,5,4,3,2 flat cluster to studios! All rooms are ensuite as far as I'm aware and this is my review on the 6 flat cluster!
Overall rating 8.2;
Appearance and room 8/10;
To me this looked like a really glammed up student accommodation, for those of you who have seen GSS the theme is like that, but green instead of Aqua. It was a nice room with a double bed, again with under bed storage and a nice size wardrobe that had shelves at the top! I don't remember seeing a TV but it was a decent sized room, a double bed is always a bonus and its layout was nice.
The bathroom was a wet room, very small but sufficient enough and a lot better than the universities accommodation toilets, the whole place definitely felt clean although the girls room was untidy you still know it was kept nice and clean! No rust in the shower etc etc, it had a nice home feel to it, but a modem home. It didn't just feel like student accommodation but more a flat you're sharing with friends, but you still knew you was part of the student life as it's typical sharing a kitchen student living.
The kitchen comes fully equipped with two sinks for the 6 flat clusters, two large fridges and plenty of storage, kettle, iron, Hoover, mop and bucket, toaster and washing up Bowles are included in the price and replaced for free if broken.
Location 6/10;
The location for me unfortunately let this place down, to get the anywhere you have to either walk up a hill or down a hill, for an average 7 minute walk to the university depending on your speed. To the city centre was a 15 minute walk. The first time me and my boyfriend walked here we went though quite a rough part in which a guy followed us with a can of beer until my boyfriend asked him to back off, I'm sure that can happen anywhere but if I didn't have my boyfriend I would be a little scared. However it turns out we went completely the wrong way and that there is a lovely scenic walk in the opposite direction! It was a much better choice to talk back down and it felt a lot safer, none the less it was still a walk away from the city so definitely taxi fares are to be accounted for. I will definitely not walk up or down a heel in 4 inch heels!
Facilities 8/10;
This to me although there was no gym had facilities that seemed to be used a lot more, the common room was being used when I went in it, a group of friend were playing ping pong. You could see an Xbox and a Sky player which both looked used, so the common room to me was a lot more student.
There was no gym, however there was a big outdoor parking facility which was gated so you probably might have to pay the extra; I'm sorry parking I don't look into as I can't drive. However I'm sure I heard that guest parking is free if parents or friend visit etc. There was definitely street parking available! A few areas said permit holders only, but there were the odd places you could squeeze into if you felt safe parking on a street. (Loads of cars were)
The laundry room was rather small and the student showing me around suggested you have to learn to come at the right time, that's fine for me as if I stay with my boyfriend I'm going to ask his mum to do mine for me anyway! But I think there was 12 per something like 100 students?
Price (10/10);
What was great about this place was how cheap it was compared to what you get with the university, for a 5,6 flat cluster it was £105 a week if booked early and after April 1st £110, however the deposit was £1, that's right, just £1, so if you didn't get in or changed your mind you only lose a £1 so it's worth saying you want a spot anyway! Everything is included in that (like I said not sure about parking).
Security 8/10;
To me it seemed that this place was a lot better ran by management than the other place I looked at, it wasn't manned on weekend however there is someone always there 9-5 weekdays, again a fob key was needed to access places and only yours can access your room and flat.
Others 9/10;
I like the idea of sharing a kitchen so to me this is pretty high. The building also has fresher reps, that promote you to go to the common room and join in. The first night they provide loads of pizza and drinks and create games that are quite cheesy but make you get to know one another, so even if you did chose a studio at this place you don't miss out on the action. I like the idea that it has fresher reps to help freshers out, and sometimes management will throw parties and provide the food, I feel they really want to take care of the students here. There's also a special stay an extra year and get the price for 95 a week instead or something, so it's a good investment if you're wanting to stay here for two years. The place wasn't as posh as Halley House but was a lot better than student run accommodation. I was told they also try to put all freshers together and also take requests for students wishing to stay to be with their friends. International students if wanted also tend to be grouped together however their is no biased and if you don't want to be with other international students you can request not to be, or to be if you want. This doesn't mean it's guaranteed however as people may not get in to uni or randomly need a place through clearing, I just felt it was more university like as it was university affiliated (in partnership with them) compared to the other private one which was completely private.
I've put my £1 deposit and so far this is where I'll be staying but will be viewing more on the 21st!
Please ask anymore questions you might want to know and I'll update it here!