Housing is one of the many exciting aspects of the university experience. Typically, first year students live in catered or self-catered halls and then move into a student house in their 2nd and 3rd years. The question is overall which is better?
1. Cost
One of the first elements to consider is the costings of rent and living.
The most expensive halls tend to be catered since the cost of your meals are included in the price. Another consideration for the cost of rent in halls is what size room you apply for, since an ensuite is going to be more expensive than a room with communal bathrooms .
For those who are self-catered, a food budget may be required to ensure that you don’t go too crazy when your loan comes through! With that in mind, self-catered and catered halls are usually around the same price (catered may be a little bit more depending on the university).
When it comes to living in a student house there are other aspects to consider such as bills (TV, wifi, water, gas etc.) something that was all sorted for you in halls. This depends on whether the bills are included in the rent each month. But you have to be careful with landlords ripping you off too, make sure you have a parent or adult to read over the contract before you sign!
I have found that living in a student house is a lot cheaper when it comes to buying food as we all put money toward a big shop and cook a meal together. Overall student housing is the more affordable option.
2. Social side
This is an important part of university life and is affect by your living arrangements.
Halls are a great way to make friends with people as you are living in a close knit environment. Self-catered halls are especially close due to the fact you are sharing a kitchen with several other people. However it can be a difficult experience if you don’t get on with the people you live with. In that aspect it’s very much down to luck when you are living with strangers.
Student housing doesn’t really have this problem as in 2nd year you tend to live with the friends and people you got along with in 1st year. With this in mind you have more freedom in housing as there are no staff like in halls. Though if you do get a noise complaint, the police could be knocking at your door!
Houses tend to be bigger so are a lot better to host parties than in halls where you either have a small flat or go to the JCR.
3. Welfare
Welfare is a significant aspect to consider, especially with the stress of academic life.
In university halls, welfare support is something that is vocalised by staff. For example, at my halls of residence, there was a night time phone line I could call anonymously if I had any worries troubling me. There were always staff on the premises 24/7 too.
When it comes to welfare when living in a student house, you have to ask rather than it being in front of you since there are no welfare officers. You are more independent when living in a student house but that doesn’t mean that you can’t contact the University welfare officers in your department.
Overall, I feel that although halls are on the pricey side, the friendships you make as a result are invaluable. Student housing is more affordable and gives you more independence, but with that it means that welfare support isn’t on your doorstep. Though if you do live with your close friends then you do have a support network around you.
Edited by Isabelle Walker
Image sources:
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https://www.dur.ac.uk/images/STaidans/2017/StudentSupport.jpg
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