Living alone- first year

I’m in Year 12 right now, and I guess I’m kinda just thinking about the future hehe. As soon as I can, I would like to move out of my house and live near campus. I was just thinking, how difficult would it be for me to live alone (with my partner and even a roommate would be fine) for the first year? I have heard that student accommodation is the option taken by most people in their first year so they can socialise and what not, but for personal reasons I want my girlfriend to move out of where she is living right now. From what I understand, non-students aren’t allowed in student accommodation, so of course that’s not really an option. Does anyone have any advice? Maybe someone had an experience where they didn’t go down the student accommodation route first year, or even just advice on renting and living in a house would be appreciated. Thank you!

Where would you be likely to be studying?

Lancaster uni is my first option right now and I don’t have any others yet. Just the one I was most interested in, and it also offers a very cheap area to live in.

Lancaster uni is my first option right now and I don’t have any others yet. Just the one I was most interested in, and it also offers a very cheap area to live in.

Hi, I know a little bit of lancaster accommodation (we helped search our daughters 2nd year accommodation).

So you are in year 12, so that give a bit of playtime when it comes to finding accommodation. If you was a year 13, majority of private landlord accommodation would be gone by now.
If you want to go to the private landlord route, I would suggest Lancaster university homes website, Yellow door lets, and escape room campus. They do have a good repuation. for this the best time is between October - January. If you are thinking around February-April time, there are some bits around still but not as a wide variety as the Oct-Jan period. Other websites to look out for are mighty student living, accommodation for students website. My daughter has gone through the private landlord route with 7 others and will be living in the city. If you do go down this route, check out the bus routes first from city centre to uni, then find accommodation close to it.

Should you want to do the privately owned halls option, there is accommodation around this time of year. Its a little bit more pricier than private landlord, but you do get a more modern accommodation, gym, security etc. You may have to share a flat kitchen with others and some contracts are 50-51 weeks, others no, so you have to do some reasearch..
These are:
Aparto - on bulk road. about 10 mins from the main bus station, then a 20 mins bus ride to uni. Very good for ''twin accommodation'' if you want your g/f.
Cable street- this is directly outside the bus station/sainsburys. and its cheap too. the rooms are not very big, but you are close to transport links.
Hello Student - Penny street and victoria court. These are all close to each other to the south of the city. Very nice accommodation, but more pricier.
Homes for students -this is a newly renovated building into accommodation.
CRM students - Luneside a new halls facing the river lune. quite desirable place

Either way, you will need to pay a deposit and will have to sign a contract. Make sure before you sign anything that you are free to drop out, should you not get the grades, change your mind about uni.

So what exactly do you suggest that I do in this October-January period near the start of Year 13? To be honest, I don’t completely understand how a deposit and stuff works. Do I pay this deposit and then start paying rent once I move in? But thanks for the response, it was really helpful!