VITA Student accommodation:

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

Anyone had any experience.

I looked at one of their apartments in Bristol and I was blown away by the quality of the offering. They seem to have thought of everything and a couple of students I spoke to (Brits) absolutely loved living there and were returning next year.

I'm thinking of using it next year for my son, does anyone have any experience, please?

In my day mice in the toaster and cling film double glazing was to be expected, but students have much higher standards now it seems. I suppose it's fair enough since it's no longer a free experience.

But any insight re VITA would be great.

[Littleham]

I've seen them and they are gorgeous. The only downside is the cost.

However if your son is a first year student then halls might be a better for making friends.

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

Son 2 has been in uni halls for a year. It's for accommodation for him going into his second year. The Vita offering seems vastly superior to the uni offering and actually not that much more expensive really. You certainly don't get a 38" smart TV (TV license paid) on your wall in uni accommodation. And private accommodation for students it notoriously difficult. Yesterday a landlord told me he had a 'no mates back' policy on his flats. FGS.

I have an about to be 4th year son and an about to be 2nd year. I've been around the block with student landlords and I wonder if Vita might be the answer to all my prayers?

[Littleham]

My dd has found a house right next to the university (also 2nd year student) with three friends & it has all gone smoothly so far.

The Vita accommodation looks great. Which one are you interested in?

[Littleham]

I expect you have already seen the other private halls but just in case....

www.accommodationforstudents.com/studentprivatehalls/studentaccommodation_lphs_Bristol.asp

[chloe2222]

Hi Alpha Bravo

There are a few more properties listed on Student Source too,

studentsource.co.uk/student-accommodation/bristol

Bristol sells out quite early,

As Littleham suggested it is generally better to start in university halls for the first year, to form a wider network of friends also in some of the privately operated halls 1st years can get a bit isolated.

Kindest regards,

Chloe.

[Rosieposy4]

Vita is eyewateringly expensive, twice the price my DS is paying for a room in a shared house in Bristol, also very close to the uni.
I would also be concerned about isolation as they all appear to be single person studios.

[Millymollymama]

Definitely share a flat with friends in 2nd year. He has left it really late to get anything decent. Dealing with landlords is part of what a student has to do. My DD had great 2nd year accommodation in Clifton. The landlord owned several large houses in a terrace and had a caretaker on site so everything was fixed immediately. His flats go in a matter of hours after they are released onto the market in January! Not a single landlord problem. Early bird catches..........etc

[Millymollymama]

It is well placed for the clubs and nightlife though!

[AlphaBravoHenryFoxtons]

Thanks for the comments so far.

He's a second year. He's been in a s/c flat in halls and has a nice group of friends and a lovely girlfriend (also at the same uni). He was invited to live in a shared house but he would prefer to live on his own. I think that's fair enough. He's neat and tidy and not a drinker. He found sharing a kitchen quite frustrating at times, especially on the mornings after his flatmates' big nights out. I know Vita is an expensive option but I feel it's a good compromise between having your own private space and having some sociable spaces too.

My eldest son is a fourth year student so we've had a fair bit of experience of student property. Some of his accommodation has been woeful: the rent is cheap but the cost is high. Last year he and his housemates were given a month's notice a few weeks before exams (and having to house hunt again and move house over their exam period). And we've had our fill of landlords not fixing things.

One of his friends is also going to live in Vita.

[catslife]

I would double check what is included in the price - if it includes all bills i.e. gas, electricity and water that may account for the high cost.
I would check out what the area is like late at night though as there is a chance that it could be noisy due to proximity of night-clubs and bars etc.