So, you’re off to university – what an exciting time!
And if you’re moving out of your parent’s home for the first time, it’s made even more exciting by the new freedom on the horizon.
But before you pack your bags and prepare for freshers’ week, you need to decide where you’re going to live.
When it comes to living at university, you usually have three options:
- University owned halls of residence
- Privately rented accommodation (usually a house)
- Private halls of residence
Figuring out which option is best for you can be tough.
You’ll be spending a decent amount of your student loan on accommodation, so you don’t want to regret your choice.
That’s why we’ve compared your options for you.
University owned halls of residence
Often located on or close to campus, university owned student accommodation is owned and managed by your university.
University halls offer a great opportunity for students to get to know people from their university outside of their course.
This type of accommodation is often a top choice for first year students who are yet to explore the local area. Plus, those early morning lectures are made that little bit more bearable when you only need to get out of bed 10 minutes before.
Plus, as an added bonus, all bills are usually included in the rent and there’s often a range of en-suite and shared bathroom options available to suite every budget.
Privately rented accommodation
Privately rented accommodation is usually a house or individual flat that you’ll lease independently of the university. It’s usually rented out by a private landlord either directly or through an experienced letting agency.
This is a popular option for second and third year students as it gives a greater sense of independence, living away from home and away from the restraints and rules that come with university owned accommodation. They’re also a great choice for those wanting to live with their friends.
Although you’ll usually receive individual contracts, many landlords prefer to rent to groups, as this saves having to find individual tenants for each room. However, if you’re looking alone, groups often advertise for additional people online, on university Facebook groups for example.
In most cases, bills are not included in your rent. So, this will have to be accounted for when budgeting.
Student houses are often located slightly further away from university buildings, meaning you will also have to factor travel expenses and time into your considerations.
But this doesn’t mean they’re in the middle of nowhere. They are usually located in vibrant student areas, full of shops, restaurants, bars and other student favourites, so you’ll never be stuck for exciting evenings or days out.
Private halls of residence
Private halls of residence provide the perfect in-between, essentially combining the great features of university owned halls and privately rented homes.
Private halls of residence are similar to university owned halls of residence in that all bills are usually included in the rent. However, as they aren’t managed by your university, they add a bit of separation between your home life and your studies. You can also expect students from different universities across the city to reside there.
When signing up to stay at private halls of residence, you usually have the choice to specify whether or not you have a group of friends you would like to share a flat with – so whether you’re looking alone or with your best friend, this is a great option.
Plus, private halls of residence sometimes come with extra amenities, such as gyms and private parking, which makes them a desirable second or third year accommodation option.
Finding your accommodation with Caro Lettings
Here at Caro Lettings, we have a range of modern student accommodation in Liverpool.
Whether you’re ready to meet new people, or are looking to book as a group, we’re sure to have the answer.
Bookings for the 2023/2024 academic year have opened, so book your viewing now.
