Types of second year housing

The group I’m planning on living with next year want to live in purpose-built off campus student accommodation. However I’m concerned this may reduce our development of independence and may mean we don’t get the full experience. I know living in a house can be quite complicated due to splitting bills and working with landlords etc, so I was thinking about a flat.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it actually a much better experience to live in a house/flat than student accommodation? It feels like time is running out, I know people who have already applied for houses, and I’m worried the good places will be gone soon.

Reply 1

University of Sheffield Students

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by LittleFire10

The group I’m planning on living with next year want to live in purpose-built off campus student accommodation. However I’m concerned this may reduce our development of independence and may mean we don’t get the full experience. I know living in a house can be quite complicated due to splitting bills and working with landlords etc, so I was thinking about a flat.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it actually a much better experience to live in a house/flat than student accommodation? It feels like time is running out, I know people who have already applied for houses, and I’m worried the good places will be gone soon.

Hi @LittleFire10,

I completely sympathise with your current situation. Accommodation can feel really overwhelming, especially when it feels like you're running out of time. I would recommend not allowing that to push you into making a rushed decision or one you're not particularly happy with, as there are always housing options available. I lived in a shared house for my second year and found it great fun, especially with the change of scenery from student accommodation during my first year; however, I also know others who had an equally amazing time staying in student accommodation. In many university cities, student housing packages are available that include the option to bundle a bill package. This can alleviate any stress or tension caused by reducing confusion about what needs to be paid and how much each housemate can use, so I would definitely check to see if this is available.

I also think there are other factors that are very helpful to consider, including the number of people you are living with and how far you are from the university campus, among others. I think it's entirely a matter of personal preference in terms of where you want to live, and there is no wrong choice. I would try to communicate your worries to the group you are hoping to live with and see if anyone else shares the same concerns. This may help you feel more secure in your options.

Best of luck with your decision, and enjoy the experience. It can feel stressful right now, but it's also a very exciting opportunity. 😊

Mia
BSc Final-Year Biomedical Science Student
University of Sheffield