How To Decide Where To Live At Uni

Finding your perfect home

We’ll help you make the right choice whether you want to stay in a hall, rental or staying at home

Going to uni might be your first experience of moving away from home, and you’ll be experiencing the first time you experience independence. Choosing where to reside at university can be one of the most exciting aspects of the process.

But it’s also difficult to decide where you want you’d like to live. Do you want to live in student living spaces, private apartments or just stay at home?

This guide can help you move on to the next stage of the beginning of your university journey. Find out what the alternatives are and the pros and cons of choosing private renting, student halls or living at your home.

Halls for students

Many universities offer halls for students in the first year that are located on campus or near the university. They’re usually separate flats with six to eight rooms for students in each flat, so you’ll get to meet other students and make friends right from the moment you are moved in.

Student halls are the ideal choice for staying in the center of life at uni. As they’re based close to uni it’s easy getting to your morning lectures on time.

If you’re in the process of preparing for starting your very first semester at university it is likely that you’ll find student halls to be the most convenient accommodation that is available.

What’s included?

Student halls are usually include internet and bills included, which makes the calculation of the rent easy. The rooms are fully furnished with a desk, bed , and storage, so you can get right in. Bring your personal television, video games, or posters.

Halls are run by the University, who often have a security team and residential support any time you need it.

Shared spaces

There will be a shared kitchen with fellow students if you have opted for student halls that are self-catered or access to a canteen if you prefer catering halls. Most student hall rooms have bathroom facilities with an en-suite. However, some have shared bathrooms, be sure to look for these when looking for a place to live.

Private renting

If you’d prefer to live with your friends in a house shared by others, or would prefer to be on your own and have no one to share your space with, you can privately rent a house that isn’t operated by the university. Private renting offers you the freedom to choose where you live and with whom you reside with, but you’ll also have more responsibility.

What’s included

Private student properties Leicester means that you’ll have to handle your rent and bills in conjunction with the landlord and the university. Not all landlords include bills and internet in their rent either – so make sure to keep an eye out for this while seeking a home to live in.

Location

It is also important to consider the distance you’d like to travel to university and what transportation is available. Student halls are often situated near the campus, however private accommodations are usually farther away.
Being with friends

Many students choose to rent privately for their third and second years of university, meaning they could live in a shared house with friends they made during their your first year. It’s also an option for your first year, particularly when you already have friends at the university.

Living in a shared home

If you don’t have friends to share your home with but don’t need to live in university halls, you may be able to find rooms in private shared houses that are available from the beginning of each year. The rooms may be in student houses where you’ll get to know other students from different stages of studies.

Lodging

It is also possible to find private rooms within the homes of people who live in the city. This is known as lodging and you’ll become a lodger. You’ll stay with the landlord or their family. Most likely, you’ll be the sole student in the house, although certain landlords have more one spare room they rent out.

Renting a spare room in the house of someone else is an ideal opportunity to get to know the city’s residents and their acquaintances, which will aid in expanding your circle of friends beyond your university.

Home-based living

If you don’t want to move to a new location for your university you can choose to stay at your home. There’s no need to live in a dormitory with other students, but you’ll still be able to be a part of the university experience.

The option of staying at home at university is a good option to save money on food purchases, rent and bills in particular if you don’t need to pay rent at home. However, you may have less freedom when you are at home, and you may have fewer opportunities to develop your independence.