Edinburgh accommodation

[fluffytdog]

Hi, dd is leaning towards Edinburgh for next year so we are looking for some advice on halls. Neither I nor dh went to university so this is all uncharted territory for us. We are from SE England so would be very far away and for that reason I'd ideally like her in catered halls.
Has anybody got any recent experience of Pollock halls?

DD currently in 1st year at Edinburgh but in self catered halls near the Meadows. Bumping for you as there are some others with 1st years in Pollock.

Dd has been in Pollock. The rooms are pretty good as student residences go.
It is a big site and can be very noisy.
Dd is not keen on the catering options but she doesn't like spicy or highly flavoured food and much of the offering is in this category. There were quite a few problems with catering this year due to covid restrictions but hopefully that will be better in future.
From my point of view the 24 hour security on site was reassuring and we always found them very helpful.

I know several kids who’ve been in Pollock and really enjoyed it: very sociable!

Dd has been there this year, which is probably not wholly typical. The most expensive halls attract the wealthier, ex-public school party goer types (even during lockdowns). Catered food is variable quality (apparently has got worse as year went on and previous students say similar) and they are seated individually. Laundry facilities and cleaning has been patchy - a couple of hoovers for several blocks which have gone awol, no in-room cleaning. Communal indoor spaces have been off limits. Not the greatest value for money but all accommodation up there is pricey and the Pollock location is good and overlooks Arthur's Seat and golf course. There are other halls in the city but some are private, others in less safe areas or far out. Hth

Having said that dd has had a better uni experience there than many others describe on mn and has found a mixed group of friends. She actually moved rooms at end of first term to form a household with them.

Having said all

Pollock a pretty good choice for first year. We know Edinburgh well and DD1 chose Pollock for her first year. Baird and Grant on the pollock site are at the cheaper end and not so much frequented by the very well off crowd. My DS hoping to go to Edinburgh too this year but wanted self catering so we have picked 5 choices all south of princes street . He will do a science course so will have to go to KB. Worth looking at the map.

DD was in Pollock for her first year, made a great group of friends which set her up well for her second year (this year).

Pollock Halls is perfect if she would like catered accommodation. Avoid the more expensive ensuite options such as Chancellors Court, if she would like to avoid the public school crowd.

Thank you everyone. Dh thinks dd would get bored of catered but I imagine most of them do - they would probably get bored of cooking for themselves all the same. She is a decent cook but budgeting for food and meal planning would just be another thing for her to worry about. Ultimately the choice is hers but I want her to be clear on all her options.

I think most of them do opt out of catered at times and make a microwaved meal in the pantry or get a takeaway. Of course this is more expensive and means that you are paying for meals you don't eat. Something to consider if budgets are tight.

@ClerkMaxwell Which halls is your DD in, and would she recommend them? (Happy for you to PM me if you'd prefer not to post publicly.)

@LIZS What counts as a "household" for the purposes of Pollock Halls?

Done some of my own research over the past couple of days and had a good talk with dd last night. She definitely likes the sociable side to Pollock but admitted she is a little worried about its "snobbish" (direct quote from a group chat she's joined ) reputation. One of the older, cheaper buildings sounds like a good option!

[quote Bath789]@LIZS What counts as a "household" for the purposes of Pollock Halls?[/quote]
Those rooms sharing a kitchen. Which can be just a handful and not the nearest on a corridor.

My son has been living at Robertson’s close this year, it’s self catering and has a common room (although it’s been closed all year), he’s really enjoyed living there, it’s just off the royal mile and in the middle of the student bars (when open) and only a few min walk to uni. He was in college wynd for the first few weeks but struggled to settle and was able to move-he wouldn’t recommend college wynd, it felt very run down.

@Bath789: pmd you the name of DDs halls. She would definitely recommend. Loved the location and very cheap for Edinburgh as shared bathrooms (her flat had 2 bathrooms between 6). Probably not the halls for the party crowd though or equally those who rely on halls for all their friendships. Flat was clean but a bit old fashioned (updates were planned for summer 2020 but covid postponed).

She has a job in halls next year and has chosen catered so will be in Pollock. I was a bit surprised she chose Pollock as we'd seen the youtube clips last year but DD says if you avoid the very expensive blocks it is fine.
.

I was in Chancellors Court and I don't think it was that bad! Perhaps I didn't realise. I think my section was quite quiet though, definitely not that into parties. We used to all watch Dowton Abbey and the X factor together in the kitchen!

You get lovely views of Arthur's Seat, you're very close to the Commonwealth Pool if you enjoy swimming, and not far from the university gym either. Lots of the halls have music practice rooms as well, which is good if you play an instrument.

The food was good when I was there, and there was always somebody to eat with (obviously not so good at the moment with covid!). You could also have a packed tea if you had a society meeting that went over dinner time.

Personally I'm glad I was catered in my first year, and I made lots of friends on my course walking to and from King's Buildings with them. Also a few of us met up together to go to a society, so we went in with people we sort of knew.

DD was in Ewing (one if the Pollock Halls) last year. Really sociable, mixed backgrounds, she made great friends, some of whom she’s been sharing a flat with this year.

@ClerkMaxwell Have checked my Inbox, but no PM from you. Would you mind re-sending?