Thoughts on student accommodation

[Biscuitsneeded]

DS is doing his application for first year accommodation, going in September (fingers crossed). He has to put 'bands' of accommodation in order of preference. Basically there are shared rooms (which he doesn't want), then some single rooms in purpose-built student flats/houses with shared bathrooms, and then there's a price leap of about £50 a week to have an en-suite room. I am trying to tell him he doesn't need an en-suite room and he will be really glad to have an extra £200 a month for food and/or socialising, but he has older friends who are telling him to prioritise en-suite. I wonder if they have more money than we do, though? Just wondering what is most normal nowadays?

DS has got his first choice, the cheapest as he's paying, but we did apply at 5am on the morning that booking opened.

The most important thing is the social space. You want halls / accomodation with shared living room or hangout space not just kitchen.

The best halls I lived in was catered. When we got home , you went to the lounge . There was useally someone else watching g neighbours, etc. There was also a garden. It was catered so nice to touch base with friends at least once a day.

I suspect mental health and not being lonely was much better here . Easy to make friends and get involved with activities.

Absolutely agree with this . My dd had a ground floor en- suite for her 1st year - a total damp - fest , she ended up binning clothes afterwards.

I have to say neither of mine had an issue with their en suites. Both had decent extractor fans. Gave them somewhere to hang any hand washing. DDs was even cleaned!

I know many share in second/third years (although in some areas lots of rentals have en suites), but at least you have chosen your own housemates at that stage and have a vague idea of how clean/tidy they might be. Sharing with complete strangers us different.

Very few houses rented to students have en suites. If they take private student new builds they might. Usually at a fairly high price. Lots take the older houses and flats and happily share bathrooms. Very much depends where the university is and how well the city is geared up for student rentals in terms of older properties.