Heading off to university is a big move with so many choices to consider. One of the biggest is where to live. There are pros and cons to all the options available, as you are about to find out.
1. Living at home
This is a cost-saving saving option that removes the need for the upheaval associated with moving and kitting out your new accommodation. You get to stay in a familiar environment; however, the downside is that this isn’t always practical, especially if your chosen university is a distance away. Living at home may also not offer the independence you want.
2. Halls of residence
There are many pros and cons to living in halls. They offer independence whilst still delivering security through close links to universities and being around students in a similar situation. They are usually located close to universities and are very sociable environments, offering easy opportunities to make new friends. They can be noisy, however, and lack privacy. They may also be more expensive than private rentals.
3. Shared accommodation
When looking at Exeter University accommodation or somewhere to stay in another part of the country, you may want to consider a shared property rented through a private landlord or providers such as www.exeteruniversityaccommodation.co.uk/. Shared houses and flats can be affordable options that allow you to live with friends or meet new people.
This option is often less expensive than living in halls but may not have the cleaning, maintenance, and utilities included in the rent, leaving you with more bills to manage. You may have more freedom when it comes to house rules, but there is also the potential for poor standards of accommodation, especially with some private landlords, and the chance that you will have to face conflicts with housemates.
You will also need to consider the location of private rentals carefully, both in terms of travelling time to university – and the associated costs – and the potential to find yourself living in an unsafe or unsavoury area.