Manchester uni accommodation - where's nice??

user1469651871 · 2023-08-23T18:38:52+00:00

Thought we were home and dry when DD got into Manchester and had accommodation confirmed - but she's been reading reviews and thinks she's chosen the wrong halls! She's in Weston which looks to be an amazing location but the few reviews there are describe it as the least social, mostly used by international students with limited English and generally a bit depressing. On the other hand, nowhere really gets decent reviews - most halls seem to be party central and/or vermin-infested. Does anyone have very recent experience - where's a nice, normal, sociable Hall of res??

JesusWeptLady · 23/08/2023 20:50

It won't matter - Manchester is huge and there's so much to do outside of halls that she will be fine so long as she has a room that's clean and a bathroom nearby. FWIW a friend of mine lived in a squat in Hulme before it was torn down and made into luxury housing, and even that was nice enough to visit.

Thelondonone · 23/08/2023 20:52

They are all much of a muchness but I could suggest fallowfield.

Sadik · 23/08/2023 21:15

As far as I could see when DD was looking, all the halls had dreadful reviews for one reason or another. She was in Brook Hall in Victoria Park, in a 4 person flat & it was - fine. She didn't end up particularly friends with any of the other 3 (one international student who socialised entirely with compatriots, two UK students but none of them particularly had anything in common).

All it meant was that dd ended up socialising with friends from societies / her course. The flat was clean & warm, & probably because they all went their own way there were no fall outs either.

Original poster

user1469651871 · 23/08/2023 21:22

Sadik · 23/08/2023 21:15

As far as I could see when DD was looking, all the halls had dreadful reviews for one reason or another. She was in Brook Hall in Victoria Park, in a 4 person flat & it was - fine. She didn't end up particularly friends with any of the other 3 (one international student who socialised entirely with compatriots, two UK students but none of them particularly had anything in common).

All it meant was that dd ended up socialising with friends from societies / her course. The flat was clean & warm, & probably because they all went their own way there were no fall outs either.

You're right - based on reviews, everywhere looks terrible! Think we've figured out a slightly better option, but not sure what her chances of changing are.

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Original poster

user1469651871 · 23/08/2023 21:24

JesusWeptLady · 23/08/2023 20:50

It won't matter - Manchester is huge and there's so much to do outside of halls that she will be fine so long as she has a room that's clean and a bathroom nearby. FWIW a friend of mine lived in a squat in Hulme before it was torn down and made into luxury housing, and even that was nice enough to visit.

Thanks - a squat sounds pretty sociable, I think she'd be fine with that!

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Original poster

user1469651871 · 23/08/2023 21:25

Thelondonone · 23/08/2023 20:52

They are all much of a muchness but I could suggest fallowfield.

Thanks - yes, we're going to revisit and try for a swap tomorrow

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Ciri · 23/08/2023 21:28

From what people are saying online you have very little chance of being able to change. Accommodation is difficult in Manchester. Good luck though

Original poster

user1469651871 · 23/08/2023 21:32

Ciri · 23/08/2023 21:28

From what people are saying online you have very little chance of being able to change. Accommodation is difficult in Manchester. Good luck though

Worth a try! Any links to online chat? Is it all student room?

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CaveyWavey · 24/08/2023 23:05

My DD was given Whitworth. All of her choices had been in the Fallowfield area so she was a bit fed up. It was very outdated and had terrible reviews. Anyway, it turned out ok in the end. Most of their socializing was done in their halls or clubs in the city and they could walk to lectures. It ended up being pretty good and saved us a few thousand! In her second year she had a house in Fallowfield where most of the rentals are. She hated having to get the bus every day, it was either freezing cold or raining and the traffic isn't great. For her last year she is moving back closer to the uni and the city.

If joining a sports team is important the uni's facilities are in the fallowfield area I think.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, wherever they end up there are pros and cons.

Original poster

user1469651871 · 25/08/2023 00:15

CaveyWavey · 24/08/2023 23:05

My DD was given Whitworth. All of her choices had been in the Fallowfield area so she was a bit fed up. It was very outdated and had terrible reviews. Anyway, it turned out ok in the end. Most of their socializing was done in their halls or clubs in the city and they could walk to lectures. It ended up being pretty good and saved us a few thousand! In her second year she had a house in Fallowfield where most of the rentals are. She hated having to get the bus every day, it was either freezing cold or raining and the traffic isn't great. For her last year she is moving back closer to the uni and the city.

If joining a sports team is important the uni's facilities are in the fallowfield area I think.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, wherever they end up there are pros and cons.

Thanks for replying - you're right about pros and cons for each place. After sleeping on it, DD has chilled out and knows she'll be fine wherever. But she may have the chance to swap to Whitworth which she'd be very happy with.

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Userer · 25/08/2023 00:56

I was at Manchester albeit 30 years ago. I'm only posting because I had a bit of a nomadic first year in halls and I think I was in about 4 places because of one thing or another. Back then Weston was the best for everything other than hall socialising. Whitworth I stayed a week and promptly begged for a transfer, and it was dated back then and felt like a prison. Also wasn't in the best area for anything, although granted times may have changed. I loved fallowfield but not the halls that were available at that time. The one I liked the best is no longer available, so no use to you.

Sadik · 25/08/2023 20:22

I'm glad your dd's feeling happier @user1469651871 & as you say, I'm sure she'll be OK in whichever halls.

DD did manage to swap from her originally allocated accommodation, but she had a specific (disability related) reason & she didn't mind where she was in terms of location, just looking for a room that met a specific need. I don't know how possible general swaps are.