Queen’s university Belfast accommodation in crisis

[travellinglighter]

Is anyone else struggling to get first year accommodation? It’s a week to go and no accommodation offered. An email today offering £1250 off peak gym membership and £100 credit on the uni card.

Apparently they are 12% over capacity and this is their solution.

At this time I’ve got to drag the worlds most disorganised 19 year old across the Irish Sea, some time next week and at this time I have no accommodation for him.

Leeds has offered £10k and a free year’s accommodation to students to defer. £1250 doesn’t seem like that much when they are supposed to guarantee the first years accommodation.

Have you tried the Roosts (John Bell house)? There are several locations nearby. DSD2 used the one close to Great Victoria Street station and it was comparable in cost to Halls with good security and study spaces

I'd take Leeds and 10k 🤣🤣

@Dontwanttobeyourmonkeywench

Have you tried the Roosts (John Bell house)? There are several locations nearby. DSD2 used the one close to Great Victoria Street station and it was comparable in cost to Halls with good security and study spaces

The uni has been touring private places for the same price but ideally I want him in halls with other first years. I realise that there is unprecedented demand but it’s ridiculous that it has all been left so late.

@stevalnamechanger

I'd take Leeds and 10k 🤣🤣

He would too but it was offered to our next door neighbours son three weeks ago. He’s walking round in smug mode, secure in the knowledge he’s got a year off.

DSD2 liked the Roost because it was almost like an apartment complex with en-suite bedrooms and shared kitchen/living spaces, and she was sharing with 4 others all similar ages but not on the same courses.

She enjoyed being in the Roost and they often had game nights or film nights for the residents. She found the study rooms to be comfortable and accessible 24/7 with decent WiFi and a mix of individual pods and bigger spaces. We were impressed with the security (key card accessible with 24hr security office overlooking the entrance) and she got a really good deal. It's worth noting that the security team was very good at controlling the level of rowdiness after nights out.

DS is due to start soon and has also chosen a studio apartment in the Roost because he didn't want to be in halls and his costs aren't that much more than the shared apartments. Trying to secure Halls was such a headache, so I'm glad he's chosen the same place as DSD2.

I went to Queens, trust me, its a Russell Group and they work people very hard. I did not have a good experience there.

Could he get a job in hospitality for a year? That would whack smugness away.