Should I stay in student accommodation or get shared housing? Can’t decide
Hey everyone, I’m starting uni soon and I’m really torn between going for student accommodation or finding a private shared house off campus.
On one hand, everyone keeps saying student accommodation is where you make most of your friends, and I don’t want to end up feeling left out or isolated if I live elsewhere. I do really want the social side of uni and to meet people easily especially since i'm not much of an extrovert.
But on the other hand… student accommodation is so expensive compared to shared housing I’ve found nearby. The shared places have way more space (actual living room, bigger kitchen, etc.) and some even have gardens. I’m also kinda worried about how messy student halls might be — I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about dirty kitchens, noise, and random flatmates.
Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you think it’s really that much harder to make friends if you don’t live in halls your first year?
Would love to hear what other people did and whether you regretted your choice
On one hand, everyone keeps saying student accommodation is where you make most of your friends, and I don’t want to end up feeling left out or isolated if I live elsewhere. I do really want the social side of uni and to meet people easily especially since i'm not much of an extrovert.
But on the other hand… student accommodation is so expensive compared to shared housing I’ve found nearby. The shared places have way more space (actual living room, bigger kitchen, etc.) and some even have gardens. I’m also kinda worried about how messy student halls might be — I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about dirty kitchens, noise, and random flatmates.
Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you think it’s really that much harder to make friends if you don’t live in halls your first year?
Would love to hear what other people did and whether you regretted your choice
Reply 1
Original post
by GjsbsnshhHey everyone, I’m starting uni soon and I’m really torn between going for student accommodation or finding a private shared house off campus.
On one hand, everyone keeps saying student accommodation is where you make most of your friends, and I don’t want to end up feeling left out or isolated if I live elsewhere. I do really want the social side of uni and to meet people easily especially since i'm not much of an extrovert.
But on the other hand… student accommodation is so expensive compared to shared housing I’ve found nearby. The shared places have way more space (actual living room, bigger kitchen, etc.) and some even have gardens. I’m also kinda worried about how messy student halls might be — I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about dirty kitchens, noise, and random flatmates.
Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you think it’s really that much harder to make friends if you don’t live in halls your first year?
Would love to hear what other people did and whether you regretted your choice
On one hand, everyone keeps saying student accommodation is where you make most of your friends, and I don’t want to end up feeling left out or isolated if I live elsewhere. I do really want the social side of uni and to meet people easily especially since i'm not much of an extrovert.
But on the other hand… student accommodation is so expensive compared to shared housing I’ve found nearby. The shared places have way more space (actual living room, bigger kitchen, etc.) and some even have gardens. I’m also kinda worried about how messy student halls might be — I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about dirty kitchens, noise, and random flatmates.
Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you think it’s really that much harder to make friends if you don’t live in halls your first year?
Would love to hear what other people did and whether you regretted your choice
Hi,
Living in student accommodation is usually the easiest way to meet new friends, especially if you’re introverted, because you’re surrounded by other students in the same situation. There are often events, social areas, and plenty of opportunities to bump into people, which can make settling in much easier.
That said, shared houses off campus can be great if you want more space and a quieter environment. You may need to make more effort to meet people, but joining societies, clubs, or attending events can really help. Many people live off-campus and still have a full social life, it just takes being proactive.
Ultimately, it depends on what matters most to you. If you can, try visiting both options and imagine what your day-to-day life would be like in each.
Hope that helps,
Tayba
Student Rep
Reply 2
Original post
by GjsbsnshhHey everyone, I’m starting uni soon and I’m really torn between going for student accommodation or finding a private shared house off campus.
On one hand, everyone keeps saying student accommodation is where you make most of your friends, and I don’t want to end up feeling left out or isolated if I live elsewhere. I do really want the social side of uni and to meet people easily especially since i'm not much of an extrovert.
But on the other hand… student accommodation is so expensive compared to shared housing I’ve found nearby. The shared places have way more space (actual living room, bigger kitchen, etc.) and some even have gardens. I’m also kinda worried about how messy student halls might be — I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about dirty kitchens, noise, and random flatmates.
Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you think it’s really that much harder to make friends if you don’t live in halls your first year?
Would love to hear what other people did and whether you regretted your choice
On one hand, everyone keeps saying student accommodation is where you make most of your friends, and I don’t want to end up feeling left out or isolated if I live elsewhere. I do really want the social side of uni and to meet people easily especially since i'm not much of an extrovert.
But on the other hand… student accommodation is so expensive compared to shared housing I’ve found nearby. The shared places have way more space (actual living room, bigger kitchen, etc.) and some even have gardens. I’m also kinda worried about how messy student halls might be — I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about dirty kitchens, noise, and random flatmates.
Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you think it’s really that much harder to make friends if you don’t live in halls your first year?
Would love to hear what other people did and whether you regretted your choice
Hi @Gjsbsnshh
I lived in student accommodation during my first year. The benefits of this for me were:
•
It is an easier transition to live alone as you do not have to deal with bills, and you just have to report maintenance issues to reception rather than dealing with them yourself.
•
I got lucky and lived with 2 of the people that I ended up choosing to live with during second year.
•
My flat was fairly clean, although like you mentioned this is not always the case.
Whilst I did make friends from my accommodation, there are also lots of other ways to make friends! The important thing to remember is that there will be commuting students who will also not live in student accommodation, so you will not be the only one.
Hope that helps and let me know if you have any questions!
Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.
Quick Reply
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