Nottingham, Birmingham, Exeter

[GrangeFill]

DD is hoping for offers from Uni of Nottingham, Uni of Birmingham and Uni of Exeter. We have been to open days at all three, but not ventured into the cities at all.

We are hoping to do this at offer holder days in the Spring.

What areas of each city are best to look at when we visit? For example, I’m aware Birmingham is like a collection of villages eg Stirchley, Selly Oak etc. And Nottingham Lenton, Beeston etc. Which parts of each city would a student likely venture to, so where is best to check out in each city?

At Birmingham they do. It's deeply irritating.

Yes in Nottingham too 😩

Daft question but are all student houses let in 52 week tenancies?!

Overwhelmingly, yes.
However, logically, the Landlord needs £X per year. You can pay £X / 12months or, if you paid for only 10 months, or 9 months, then each of those payments would have to be a higher amount, to get to the total of X.

Lots of students stay where they are and increase their hours at their jobs over the Summer.

Thanks everyone. DD found a house in Lenton yesterday and sent me the contract. I'm rapidly realising how spoiled we've been (financially!) with her elder brother at Cambridge

May I ask how much your DD is paying @Panicmode1 ? And how many are sharing? DD is going to look at a place in Lenton today!

The Spoons isn't on campus, it's just down the road but only a few minutes walk!

Of course - the rent is £130pw but they are taking the 'bills package' which takes it to £150 pw. There are four of them and she said it's very clean, the rooms are broadly equal size, and they like the area. They looked at about 8 yesterday and some of them were shocking for the money being asked (black mould everywhere, holes in carpets, and still £135 a week!!!).

Exeter is a small city but very student focussed. It's a campus and everything is walkable. The train station is just down the road (bit if a hill to the uni) but easy to get the train home. If friends are in Bath, the train is quick and cheap, just change at Bristol TM. Good sports facilities, next door to the cricket club and squash club. Great for weekends/day trips to Cornwall beaches. No huge cities nearby but it depends what they want. It's got a good reputation and Exeter feels like a very safe city. Lots of student accommodation and more being built all the time. Wetherspoons is just down the hill from the uni so very popular with students and then a 5 minute walk into town. Everything is close by so as a student you wouldn't really need public transport around the city.

Thank you @Panicmode1 that sounds very reasonable (well as reasonable as it's going to get!)

DS is at Exeter and is very happy. He's in ensuite catered halls for his first year (£290 a week for 32 weeks). They ask them to move out of catered halls at holidays which keeps the price down but could be difficult if you live far away.
The city is beautiful and very walkable. No need for taxis., everything is within a 20 min walk. They seem to get the train to the beach (20 mins) away in the summer a lot too!

£290 a week

That's £9,250 per academic year.

Christ!

It is catered though. Does it include money towards lunches as well like Nottingham? How does it compare with the Birmingham catered en suite option?

I suspect there isn’t a massive difference between the three if comparing like for like - ie catered en suite.

@Caitling DD in Notts is just over £9,500 for her 39 week contract (not even ensuite!)

I know! its alot. £290 a week includes a double ensuite room, all bills, 7 x dinners, 5 x breakfasts and 2 brunches at weekend. Doesn't include weekday lunches. The self-catered accommodation in Exeter is cheaper - around £180 / £200 a week but its for a longer contract so swings in roundabouts.
Next year, houseshare in Exeter...1x double bedroom is £170 a week plus bills for 48 weeks. This is average for Exeter.

DD has just signed for a house for 2nd year in Nottingham. Lenton Triangle which is popular with students. £159 a week inclusive of all bills. Letttings agency was very helpful - Parr Properties if anyone is interested.

As mentioned above, there are definitely cheaper houses in Nottingham, if cost is a factor. Dd is probably giving up the £80 4 bed one, as they're looking for 6, but they put an offer on a £99 house yesterday and have two more viewings of houses costing £105, in case they miss that one.

The prices I've quoted are exclusive of bills, but all in Lenton triangle

@crazycrofter who are those properties with? My DD has eventually signed for one @£145 per week and it was the cheapest they could find, and by all accounts it was a bit of a bun fight with lots of groups going for the same property because it was "so cheap".

DD is paying £134 pw over 42 weeks in Notts. Not catered (her choice), no en suite (mutual agreement). Clean, good size. No way would I shell out nearly £10k pa. That's before they start clubbing... or whatever they do.

@Caitling i'm guessing your DD is NTU or at least not on University of Nottingham campus (University park) you don't have a choice - it is all catered. You can give preferences of which hall you'd like (based on price / facilities/ location) but you don't always get your choice. My DD was allocated her 4th choice (out of 6 allowed preferences). You can turn it down once you're made an offer but no guarantee they'll make you another offer. Admittedly it wasn't her firm, but it's all very well saying "no way I'd be paying nearly £10k" but you dont always have a choice.

That's why it's really important to understand how accommodation is allocated for firm / insurance / clearing options.

@Africa2go - DD is at UofN so I know the accommodation options well. She chose not to live on campus because she didn't want catered. Which is a good thing because she's on minimum loan and I won't be chucking another £5k at accommodation.

It's madness.

Ahh ... I see what you mean @Africa2go - there isn't enough of the cheaper accommodation for everyone to be able to turn the £10k places down.

Good point.

Still think it's madness that this has been allowed to happen.

@Africa2go I’m not sure, I’ll find out later. There’s a few websites - Purplefrog and Unihomes are a couple I remember off the top of my head. They’ve signed up to the £99 house as it was nice. I think students panic too - DD’s current 4 bed £80 house will be going on the market now they’ve given their notice.