Uni accommodation or commuting
Hi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long. I'm also in a sports society and feel I may miss out on nights out and socials, even though i've had some friends say i could sleep over at theirs occasionally. Another option is staying on campus accommodation even though it's slightly more expensive. I'm not sure what to do or even how to find a house as im pretty sure a lot of my friends have already found places. Any advice would helpful or even people's own experiences.
Reply 1
Hi there,
I was in a similar position to you. I lived in halls in first year and then commuted from home in my second and third years, so I’ve seen both sides.
It might help to weigh up each option like this:
Commuting
Renting a house
Staying in on-campus accommodation
A few things that might help you decide:
Also, don’t worry if you feel like you’re late to house-hunting — people drop out of houses all the time, and spare rooms do come up through uni housing groups.
There’s no wrong choice here — it’s about what suits your routine, finances, and wellbeing best.
Hope this helps, and good luck with second year 🙂
Megan (LJMU Rep)
I was in a similar position to you. I lived in halls in first year and then commuted from home in my second and third years, so I’ve seen both sides.
It might help to weigh up each option like this:
Commuting
•
Can be cheaper overall (depending on travel costs and whether you contribute to rent/bills at home).
•
You can still stay at friends’ places occasionally for nights out or socials.
•
A 30–45 minute commute is pretty common for students.
•
It can take time to adjust from independent living back to living at home.
•
You may need to plan more around society events and socials.
•
More independence.
•
Living closer to campus makes lectures, sports, and socials easier.
•
You may be able to live with friends.
•
Finding a place can be stressful, especially if friends have already sorted housing.
•
You need to be careful with house quality, landlords, and housemates (always view before signing anything).
•
Very convenient and close to everything.
•
A good balance of independence without the stress of house-hunting.
•
Usually more expensive than other options.
A few things that might help you decide:
•
How many days a week are you actually on campus?
•
Do you have a part-time job, and is it near uni or home?
•
How important is being close to socials and society events for you?
Also, don’t worry if you feel like you’re late to house-hunting — people drop out of houses all the time, and spare rooms do come up through uni housing groups.
There’s no wrong choice here — it’s about what suits your routine, finances, and wellbeing best.
Hope this helps, and good luck with second year 🙂
Megan (LJMU Rep)
Reply 2
Original post
by AnonymousHi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long. I'm also in a sports society and feel I may miss out on nights out and socials, even though i've had some friends say i could sleep over at theirs occasionally. Another option is staying on campus accommodation even though it's slightly more expensive. I'm not sure what to do or even how to find a house as im pretty sure a lot of my friends have already found places. Any advice would helpful or even people's own experiences.
Hi, this is quite a common issue, in my opinion your not behind at all and your not doing anything either. This is more about selecting what will help you and be more convenient for next year. I would say travelling for 30-45 minutes is okay for many people, however it does often make early lectures, plans that are spontaneous, particularly when your motivation dips or days are lengthy. This can usually make uni feel like your going to a job rather than it feeling like a community. Also I would say staying in accommodation at campus (increased costs) usually provides more consistency, easier access and decreased mental load. If you are concerned about locating a house then please don't worry as there are loads of students who are still looking and you can use platforms such as Spare Room or use uni housing groups etc. I hope this helped and good luck! 😀
Kiran
Reply 3
Original post
by AnonymousHi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long. I'm also in a sports society and feel I may miss out on nights out and socials, even though i've had some friends say i could sleep over at theirs occasionally. Another option is staying on campus accommodation even though it's slightly more expensive. I'm not sure what to do or even how to find a house as im pretty sure a lot of my friends have already found places. Any advice would helpful or even people's own experiences.
Hello,
From my personal experience, I struggled attending early lectures when I lived on campus more than when I commute. A 30-45 minutes is doable in the morning. Although for the other part, you might slightly feel left out on the social life but as you mentioned you can stay over at yours friends. If you’re wishing for more independence then renting out might be better.
-Sarah (Kingston Rep)
Reply 4
Original post
by AnonymousHi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long. I'm also in a sports society and feel I may miss out on nights out and socials, even though i've had some friends say i could sleep over at theirs occasionally. Another option is staying on campus accommodation even though it's slightly more expensive. I'm not sure what to do or even how to find a house as im pretty sure a lot of my friends have already found places. Any advice would helpful or even people's own experiences.
Hi there,
I think a lot more people than you may think have this issue so I thought it would be worth giving my opinion too!
I did not commute myself, but a lot of my friends did and they still had just a good a time at uni as everyone else who may have stayed in halls or a uni house. I think one of the main things about this is if you would be bothered on missing out on things if you didn't have somewhere to stay as this could mean you end up feeling left out. However, if you are happy to miss a few and stay at someones house when you can, it could be a good way of saving some money and still being involved!
The commute itself sounds doable, but my best advice with this is to try it at a busy time so you can see what it would be like. Try doing it as if you had a 9am lecture and see how busy it is, or try leaving at 5pm to get home and again see what it is like as these are probably the worst times to be driving to and from uni. This might give you a better insight into whether you think you would be able to do it or whether you would be tired from doing it potentially a few times a week.
In itself, missing the odd lecture is fine but if your course requires you to have a certain attendance, you may not be able to miss lectures if it is busy. It is worth finding out whether you would be able to miss some or if this would be a problem, as if you only have one lecture for an hour, you will spend more time traveling so like you said you may end up missing some of them.
If you did want to live in a house, it isn't too late! Have a look on Facebook as people often post that they need someone to take over their tenancy or that they are looking for an extra housemate so that they can get a bigger or sometimes cheaper house so have a look as you could meet people there. You can also post saying you are looking for somewhere and if you find anyone you can meet them before to see if it is a good fit so you don't just have to live with anyone who has a room you can pick if you like the sound of them too.
More people than you might think end up living in student accommodation in second year and there is nothing wrong with it. You can meet lots of people by doing this and you may end up meeting some great people who you want to get a house with in third year!
I hope some of this helps,
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Reply 5
Original post
by AnonymousHi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long. I'm also in a sports society and feel I may miss out on nights out and socials, even though i've had some friends say i could sleep over at theirs occasionally. Another option is staying on campus accommodation even though it's slightly more expensive. I'm not sure what to do or even how to find a house as im pretty sure a lot of my friends have already found places. Any advice would helpful or even people's own experiences.
Hello, I commute to uni, so I totally get where you’re coming from. My experience has been a bit different from my friends who live on or around campus. When the weather’s bad, or I’m just tired, I end up missing out on nights out or society events sometimes. Also, if there’s a long gap between lectures, commuting can be a bit frustrating with the waiting around.
That said, I’ve been lucky that my friends who lived in halls during my first year and around campus in my second year have invited me there during longer breaks, or sometimes I’d stay over, which helps you feel more part of the campus social life even while commuting.
Pros and cons (from my experience):
Commuting
•
Pros: Saves money, home comforts, structured routine
•
Cons: Can be tiring, miss socials, weather makes it worse
Halls / living near campus
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Pros: Easier social life, independence, convenience
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Cons: More expensive, less home comfort, can be noisy
Tips:
•
Stay over with friends near campus sometimes to join in.
•
Fill long gaps with study or societies to make commuting feel less wasted.
•
Start looking early for houses via your uni’s housing portal or student groups.
It really comes down to what matters most to you, social life, convenience, or money, but you can still have a good experience either way. I don’t regret my decision to commute. Something I’ve really appreciated about commuting is that it gives me a clear bridge between university and home. I like having them as two separate spaces, it gives me a chance to “turn off” and relax, and not feel like I’m constantly surrounded by uni stress.
– Chloe ✮⋆˙
Reply 6
20
Original post
by AnonymousHi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad
The driving time is one thing, but what is the parking like? Does your university provide on-site parking for students? Many don't. (Some don't have enough parking for their staff, let alone for students.) If there isn't on-site parking, do you know where you would park? How much will parking cost you?
Make sure you factor in the costs of running a car -- fuel, insurance, MOT, servicing, tyres etc.
but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long.
You need to have the self-discipline to get up and get in on time. You'll need this in the future when you get a job!
Reply 7
I know the uni have on site parking and provide parking passes to students who commute a certain length.
For the lectures at 9am it’s not 100% about discipline. It’s the fact that lecture slides are sent out early and we get sent recordings of every lecture as well. There’s been times i’ve gone home and managed to complete the content in my lectures just from the online resources provided. Plus the discipline for uni lectures that are accessible online and a job is different.
For the lectures at 9am it’s not 100% about discipline. It’s the fact that lecture slides are sent out early and we get sent recordings of every lecture as well. There’s been times i’ve gone home and managed to complete the content in my lectures just from the online resources provided. Plus the discipline for uni lectures that are accessible online and a job is different.
Reply 8
Original post
by Kingston SarahHello,
From my personal experience, I struggled attending early lectures when I lived on campus more than when I commute. A 30-45 minutes is doable in the morning. Although for the other part, you might slightly feel left out on the social life but as you mentioned you can stay over at yours friends. If you’re wishing for more independence then renting out might be better.
-Sarah (Kingston Rep)
From my personal experience, I struggled attending early lectures when I lived on campus more than when I commute. A 30-45 minutes is doable in the morning. Although for the other part, you might slightly feel left out on the social life but as you mentioned you can stay over at yours friends. If you’re wishing for more independence then renting out might be better.
-Sarah (Kingston Rep)
Reply 9
Hey,
I think both options (commuting or renting) have their advantages here; it just depends on what you feel will work best for you. Renting a house with friends will obviously cost more than commuting every day, but may give you a better social experience and improve your overall attendance. Commuting will save you money but admittedly isn't for everyone.
Have you talked to any friends/coursemates about their accommodation plans for next year? Although some of them might have already found a house, they may know of others who need an extra person. Do you have a general idea of how much it might cost to rent in your area and whether or not it would fit into your budget? It might be worthwhile to write out a short list of potential incomings/outgoings to see whether or not renting is feasible.
Hope this helps and best of luck,
Eve (Kingston Rep).
I think both options (commuting or renting) have their advantages here; it just depends on what you feel will work best for you. Renting a house with friends will obviously cost more than commuting every day, but may give you a better social experience and improve your overall attendance. Commuting will save you money but admittedly isn't for everyone.
Have you talked to any friends/coursemates about their accommodation plans for next year? Although some of them might have already found a house, they may know of others who need an extra person. Do you have a general idea of how much it might cost to rent in your area and whether or not it would fit into your budget? It might be worthwhile to write out a short list of potential incomings/outgoings to see whether or not renting is feasible.
Hope this helps and best of luck,
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Reply 10
Original post
by AnonymousHi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long. I'm also in a sports society and feel I may miss out on nights out and socials, even though i've had some friends say i could sleep over at theirs occasionally. Another option is staying on campus accommodation even though it's slightly more expensive. I'm not sure what to do or even how to find a house as im pretty sure a lot of my friends have already found places. Any advice would helpful or even people's own experiences.
Hi Anom,
I'd love to give my input on this as I've experienced both! During my first year and semester one of my second year, I lived on campus but decided to move home after this. I much prefer travelling in, but it's entirely dependent on the type of person you are, the effort you put in and what you want from your university experience.
Firstly, you can still get the full university experience from commuting, especially if you have got places to stay after those late-night socials. By remaining organised, you can still attend all your classes and have an excellent social life. Additionally, if you are going to struggle with attending your 9am lectures, inquire about having a recording of the lectures sent over to accommodate for this. However, if you commute you must commit to putting in the effort, as it's easy to become less engaged with university life due to the distance.
Having accommodation increased my flexibility in attending last-minute events, alongside the convenience of classes only being around the corner. Additionally, you gain experience of being independent. However, costs can be off-putting alongside your personal preference for your living situation.
Overall, I recommend weighing up the pros and cons, however remember, it's really about how much effort you put in and then you can chose the living situation you prefer!
I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)
Reply 11
Hi! If you intend to be part of social events, sports, and early lectures, it would be easier to stay in residences, although it will be a bit pricier for you. If you commute for 30 to 45 minutes, it will always be possible, although some mornings or evenings will be missed. Some people end up commuting some of the time and sleeping over at some friends' houses. For houses, you can check with university housing services, social media groups for students in your university and city, and websites for renting houses.
Original post
by AnonymousHi, i'm currently a first year student and residing in on campus accommodation and for second year i'm facing a problem. Im not sure whether to look for a house to live in or to commute from home. I only live a 30-45 minute drive away which isn't too bad but i feel like i would likely miss 9am lectures due to this especially if they're only an hour long. I'm also in a sports society and feel I may miss out on nights out and socials, even though i've had some friends say i could sleep over at theirs occasionally. Another option is staying on campus accommodation even though it's slightly more expensive. I'm not sure what to do or even how to find a house as im pretty sure a lot of my friends have already found places. Any advice would helpful or even people's own experiences.
Hi, I am a current student at Salford Uni and I commute about the same 30-45 minute drive.
It can be a little more restricting to commute as you need to find parking and late nights can be tiring but I have often driven home past 10pm after attending socials.
I don't drink so that was never a factor I had to take into account when commuting but I know that is something most people need to take in to account. If you have friends willing to let you stay over that can be really helpful.
At Salford there is really good public transport links from my house. So if I have 9ams I often take those. Public transport generally takes longer but, with rush hour traffic my chances of being on time are much better unless I left at that same earlier time to drive in anyway.
I would recommend doing a test drive / commute before making your choice.
Head home after one of your socials or society events and then commute back in the next day. Pretend it's a 9am if you can motivate yourself for it, then at least you would have a better grasp on what to expect.
Eleanor
University of Salford Student Rep
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