The Warwick Accommodation Thread (+Guide in Post#1)

Whats the difference between New Rootes and Old Rootes? Can I apply to New Rootes?

Also, do we have to pay a deposit when we apply for accomodation?

Hi,

I'm Andrea, an Italian guy of 24.
I will come to study at Warwick next October, I will study Politics and International Relations as a postgraduate student.

I really don't know how to manage for the accommodation.
I don't know if it will be better living in-campus or not and I would like to know, if I will be in-campus, which the best solution is.

Please help me...


Andrea

.

What is all this about people getting Westwood if they put it anywhere on their list, is that something that you have knowledge of?
My choices are
1) Cryfield
2) Whitefields
3) Westwood

I'm thinking

1). Cryfield
2). Benefactors
3). Westwood/Rootes
5). Whitefields

So, I want the accomodation to be really cheap (Cryfields), but have some basic facilities (washbasin or en-suite - Benefactors).

Benefactors
I know that there are only a few rooms available in comparison to other accomodations but it's worth a shot since it's really cheap for an en-suite. I'm thinking about sharing the room (since it works out to be the second cheapest accomodation) but I'm a bit worried about getting a roommate I completely wont get along with. Does any of you know anyone sharing room in Benefactors? And what are they opinions on it?
How does the sharing of the room look exactly? I read somewhere that you have seperate bedrooms and common 'study area'?

Rootes, Westwood, Whitefields
From what I can see in facilities summary from non en-suite 39week let accomodations only Rootes and Westwood have washbasin in room. How big of an advantage is that over the non-washinbasin accomodations Whitefields, Tocil? Does not having at least a washbasin in a room is a big inconveniance? My dad seems to think so.
But opting for the washbasin included accomodation leaves me with Westwood and Rootes - neither of which I'm big fan of. Rootes (with its fire alarms) seems to be too noisy and Westwood too far away (though it's closer to Tesco so that's some advantage). Whitefields is also about Ł400 cheaper.

oh, btw. I'll be doing degree in Economics. Where at campus do the economics lectures take place? Which accomodation would be the closest to that? (or at least not the furthest away - I'd much rather live close to SU, basketball court or a gym)

Economics lectures take all over the place L3, Arts Centre, Maths/Stats. I've had Economics tutorials in Humanities, Social Sciences and Ramphal as well. There's no real optimum position for Economics, I guess. Anywhere on central campus is probably good. See this map if you want to compare these locations - see the insert in the bottom right as well. Westwood is the furthest away though (still).

Whitefields and Tocil are flats - so perhaps it's disadvantageous not to have a washbasin in your room. Is it a big incovenience? Perhaps. But you won't notice it as you will have known nothing better.

Benefactors shared set up: Think of a squash court - square room, high walls, and a full sized clear window on one side. Apart from the door is on the opposite side.

It kind of looks like this. Nothing it to scale. My paint skillz are The top level is on the right - it's basically a floor that is halfway up the squash court, but it doesn't take up the full place - there are open gaps on at least two gaps so you feel like it is a large room.



Yeah. Separate desks, beds, but there's no walls between them, etc.

Basically I'm still trying to get this accommodation thing sorted out.

First, I wouldn't really like to be spending that much on accom. It would feel right to go for cheap accom as I don't see great advantage in spending perhaps 1000£ more.

Big first question: Cryfield or Whitefields?
I would personally choose the flats system (I suppose you get the best of two worlds - get to know your whole hall but be able to socialise more intensively with a bunch of mates.) but i'm frankly open to that. The stats are pretty much the same (nr to bathroom and kitchen) and the pics available at warwick accommodation are very similar (though Cryfield looks better).
Any further comments on this issue would be appreciated.

About Benefactors:
is it possible to apply specifically for shared or single accom there? Also, if we eventually get allocated to the shared room and don't enjoy the system how easy is it to swap for another room?

Thanks again.

Your definition of the flats system 'know the whole hall' is unfortunately wrong. Whitefields are separate flats, in separate buildings with their own front door that only 12 people or so have the key to. The only 12 people you will live with/be able to see without having someone to let you in will be those 12 people.

The other flats are less extreme - Tocil is in a block of up to 36 in one stairwell and Heronbank/Lakeside/Claycroft are more like corridors. Corridors allow you to know everyone in the block yet still socialise with the people you 'live with'/share the same kitchen, but you have the freedom to go elsewhere.

Check out the Flats and Corridors section of the guide in the first page

Changing: You can swap with other people, as long as there is someone else willing to move it. There have been cases in shared Benefactors where one of the students moves out without replacement - they have to pay for the accommodation. The good news is then that the other student has the largest room on campus. And it is en suite. And is has two floors. Swaps are open from week 3.

Economics lectures take all over the place L3, Arts Centre, Maths/Stats. I've had Economics tutorials in Humanities, Social Sciences and Ramphal as well. There's no real optimum position for Economics, I guess. Anywhere on central campus is probably good. See this map if you want to compare these locations - see the insert in the bottom right as well. Westwood is the furthest away though (still).

Whitefields and Tocil are flats - so perhaps it's disadvantageous not to have a washbasin in your room. Is it a big incovenience? Perhaps. But you won't notice it as you will have known nothing better.

Benefactors shared set up: Think of a squash court - square room, high walls, and a full sized clear window on one side. Apart from the door is on the opposite side.

It kind of looks like this. Nothing it to scale. My paint skillz are The top level is on the right - it's basically a floor that is halfway up the squash court, but it doesn't take up the full place - there are open gaps on at least two gaps so you feel like it is a large room.



Yeah. Separate desks, beds, but there's no walls between them, etc.

You're right. Completely forgot that "little" detail.
So out of those two (Whitefields / Cryfield) which one would you personally choose TheTallOne? Thanks again.

Do you reckon it would be possible to put up a screen or hang a curtain or something to divide the sleeping area in two? Just wondering because if you did that it would be almost like having a single with a shared bathroom/workspace (obviously not as good as the real thing but a slight improvement).

I mean I'm not applying there but thought maybe some of the people who are would appreciate the suggestion.

Probably. Just that the beds to take up most of the space/access to the bathroom to and from the stairs would be difficult with a full screen, perhaps a 1/2 screen??

Yeah, that would probably work better. Just a thought for anybody applying to Benefactors who's worried about privacy!

Or be annoying as hell so that they move out

As I said, after the first few weeks it will be fine, whatever arrangement you have. And even if you hate it after the first two weeks, swap lists open in week 3 (well they did last year).