Benefactors Accommodation

I realise there is already a very thorough thread on campus accomodation, but some people have asked the same question there and not got a response so I thought putting a seperate thread may encourage a response from people who are in a position to answer.

Basically I'm likely to put Cryfield and Whitefields as my main choices, for financial reasons really, but I like what I've heard about the shared Benefactors rooms and at £80/week on a 30 week let it's probably just affordable. So then:

a) Is it true that all of the shared room have an upstairs and downstairs? I really like this as while I find aspects of sharing attractive I like the idea of a bit of space when necessary.
b) Do people who apply tend to get this accomodation? Is sharing very popular or unpopular?
and leading on from that
c)Do people enjoy the sharing, or find it strange on a campus that has such an emphasis on single rooms? I know that's a bit subjective and that there'll always be horror stories of people hating each other, but does it seem to work out alright?
If anyone can take any photos (the ones on the website are a bit rubbish) I'd be very thankful.

(If this thread really is a nuisance then I don't mind it getting put in with the general thread, I just thought it was worth a go.)

Reply 1

Wizardtb

6

The problem with Benefactors is that if you stay at Benefactor's, all your friends will be from Benefactors. The way it's designed makes it introverted- it is a mini-bubble in a bubble. You have unlock four doors to get to your own room- it really is a mini-fortress, and it really does make a big difference.

That being said, it's a great place- the rooms are big, the location is excellent, but I wouldn't recommend it.

The kitchens have no windows... are absolutley cramped, and they seem to suffer from quite a bit of theft. On top of that- the warden is the biggest dick on campus who sends out useless emails every single week. I kid you not, he is actually a fascist.

So choose at your own peril.

Reply 2

Notebooksecrets

11

I'm interested in Benefactors too, but I'm guessing not many people get it seeing as how if my maths is right only 69 people live in the building.

I was looking on another forum a few days back with last year's freshers, like the week before they moved in, and everyone with Benefactors were all like "OMFG I didn't realise it was sharing. I CAN'T share! I need my space! Omg what do I do?!?!" Reading everyone's reactions was so annoying, I was just sitting there thinking "Did none of you actually even look at the description?!" Lol.

Reply 3

KING IS HERE

tacceber

I realise there is already a very thorough thread on campus accomodation, but some people have asked the same question there and not got a response so I thought putting a seperate thread may encourage a response from people who are in a position to answer.

Basically I'm likely to put Cryfield and Whitefields as my main choices, for financial reasons really, but I like what I've heard about the shared Benefactors rooms and at £80/week on a 30 week let it's probably just affordable. So then:

a) Is it true that all of the shared room have an upstairs and downstairs? I really like this as while I find aspects of sharing attractive I like the idea of a bit of space when necessary.
b) Do people who apply tend to get this accomodation? Is sharing very popular or unpopular?
and leading on from that
c)Do people enjoy the sharing, or find it strange on a campus that has such an emphasis on single rooms? I know that's a bit subjective and that there'll always be horror stories of people hating each other, but does it seem to work out alright?
If anyone can take any photos (the ones on the website are a bit rubbish) I'd be very thankful.

(If this thread really is a nuisance then I don't mind it getting put in with the general thread, I just thought it was worth a go.)

a) yes the rooms have upstairs and downstairs, the bedroom and bathroom are upstairs and downstairs its a fairly big room I think its 1.5 times bigger than my dorm room (claycroft) and they have room for 2 desks and chairs and etc its quite big. You almost have a feeling of living in an apartment in New York City its quite nice and the upstairs bathroom is quite sizeable and the beds are both upstaris

b) I think entire benefactors is a quite small building next to rootes and between Rootes and Cryfield and there are around 20-30 rooms (i have no clue of exact #) but from what I hear people will prefer to have their own bedroom, but me im used to having a roomate and its just like the US schools. All of my friends who stay in Benefactors picked it as their first choice.

c)It really depends what you make of it. Your roomate will be closer as a friend than ur flatmates since u are sharing a room together I mean there might be some common difference and arguments at first ex: lower the music, turn the lights off, dont wake me up when u wake up, but the point is after a month of so it will be fine.

Reply 4

username84864

OP

Thanks for the responses. I still find the idea of the split level room attractive, and am not really fussed about sharing as if I go to Durham I will definitely be sharing for at least one term anyway.
Obviously the bubble/fascist side of things is a little offputting. I like being socially active so I don't want to feel completely detached from what's going on around me. Is there anyone in Benefactors on here who has had difficulty with this?
One last question I forgot about, on the application do you get to specify whether you want a twin or not? It's just £80/week is the very top end of my budget and if I was given a £98/week single there's no way I could afford it.

Reply 5

KING IS HERE

tacceber

Thanks for the responses. I still find the idea of the split level room attractive, and am not really fussed about sharing as if I go to Durham I will definitely be sharing for at least one term anyway.
Obviously the bubble/fascist side of things is a little offputting. I like being socially active so I don't want to feel completely detached from what's going on around me. Is there anyone in Benefactors on here who has had difficulty with this?
One last question I forgot about, on the application do you get to specify whether you want a twin or not? It's just £80/week is the very top end of my budget and if I was given a £98/week single there's no way I could afford it.

i have seen no one with a single benefactors so dont worry

Reply 6

Notebooksecrets

11

There are only 21 single rooms in Benefactors. There are 1000s of undergrads. Chances really are you won't get one.

Reply 7

Redredred

Benefactors sounds amazing and I really want to apply.. bbutttttt, like its been said, there will be disputes about timing of sleeping, lights of, noises.. I can see myself getting very angry.... lol. I'm so undecided because I do love how spacious the rooms in Benefactors seem. Although I haven't been to see it in real life, I've just seen the photographs online. Are they really as big as they seem? The desk seems twice the one in Arthur Vick.

Benefactors Accommodation

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