Bristol Uni housing crisis

[RosyCheekedBird]

Are any of you concerned about your DCs applying to Bristol Uni, considering the massive student housing crisis?

Dd is in her second year in Bristol. First year she didn’t get any of her choices in accommodation and was allocated city centre - horribly expensive and a mouldy damp cupboard sized room although did have an en-suite for I think £185 per week.
This year she found her own accomodation closer to her uni for £210 a week. Medium sized bedroom where she can at least walk about 3 steps in her room. She has found somewhere to live next year for £180 a week.
She gets the minimum maintenance loan and along with that we are topping up almost £550 a month and sending her £100 a week to live on, we are paying roughly a grand a month.
annoyingly the course finishes about 2 months shorter than the contract for the rent and of course we need to pay the deposit for the new place months before she moves in.
Luckily we had saved money for the kids but it’s still galling!

thanks for replying @TheChosenTwo. So £700 a calendar month (£8400 for the year) sounds about right for Bristol? It’s just around the corner from her halls in Clifton which were around £5000 so it fel like a bit of a jump. We’re in the same position as you in that dd gets the minimum maintenance loan, really hoping she can find a part time job to boost her contribution.

@Tindrum it sounds on the cheaper end of everything dd has come across but certainly in keeping with Bristol prices to me.
I should say she’s at UWE not UofB so she’s across the city in another direction.

Not too bad if for 52 weeks. Probably is.

I think that sounds really good - does it include bills?
DD is loving university life in Bristol. I'm so glad I didn't try and steer her away because of the housing situation.
It's a beautiful city same unlike someone upthread, I would jump at the chance to study there.

Same so

@NCTDN it doesn’t include bills but she’s decided to go for it. It’s in Clifton opposite the Student Union in a lovely Georgian terrace, a short walk to the Uni and is owned by a lovely Reverend so I think it seems a good bet.

She absolutely loves it there much like your DD, wants to stay after uni finishes if possible. Such a beautiful artsy place. If anyone is in two minds about accepting their place, she had no issues finding somewhere to live. There are a number of agencies aimed at students and a variety of locations on offer. I think getting a group together can be a sticking point but that would be he same anywhere. The bigger groups seems to be paying more £ in rent but perhaps they’ll make that up splitting bills?

DD is very central to Clifton and her lectures are less than ten minutes walk. Her flat is tiny though.
In comparison, friends are much further out and need to use the bus, but their rent is cheaper and their houses are bigger. It's a Kirstie and Phil situation of location vs size and price.

Yep that sounds about right re size, it has large bedrooms but a small kitchen living room. Glad your Dd is enjoying herself, it certainly is a great uni city.

The truth is that most dc like Bristol when they get there - it’s just the doom mongers on MN who don’t! Of course it’s a great city.

Yes Tizer most DC do love where they study. It's a defining time of their lives. Just because someone doesn't share your love for where your own DC ended up doesn't mean they are doom mongers. There are other valid views besides your own.

Crikey can we lay off bashing any comment @TizerorFizz makes? Jeez give them a break!

@Tindrum excuse me, it's her calling people doom mongers because they don't share the lurve for Bristol. People should be entitled to opinions without being called names. Unless the preference is for echo chambers of course.

The thread was about Bristol. Not DC at any uni. @Tindrum Thanks for your support. Much appreciated.

My DD loves Bristol. Doubt she'll ever leave 😊

Yes the thread was about Bristol and it specifically asked "Are any of you concerned about your DCs applying to Bristol Uni, considering the massive student housing crisis?". It invited views. People are allowed to have different ones without being labelled doom mongers.

Hi Bristol uni parents. Do you know if students are likely to get uni accom if they put it second on their preference? Or do you have to put it first?

any advice on which accom to try and get to be close to centre? Is there a good catered option?

Ps I agree it’s a very cool arty city and would happily live there myself

Personally I only think the accommodation chance is off they out it as their firm choice. Even then they get nine laces toto rank and 20% don't get any of their choices.
DD was catered in the north village. I can't say food was great but it was a really good option for dd.

Omg look at all the typos! You can't see what you've typed when quoting a post and I can't edit in the app

so I’d be concerned about getting halls if putting it as a second choice. It’s possible but a defo risk. My kid’s at Manor Hall, it’s really lovely- big rooms with window seats, parquet flooring and lots of storage, very active jcr and loads of organised events and under £5000 a year rent.

Thanks I managed to read it 😂

ok good to be aware of that risk.

Manor Hall sounds lovely - here’s hoping!

@Newgirls I can confirm it’s a risk and has been for a long time. My DD was insurance a long time ago and mit was a problem. Although now there’s loads more accommodation, student numbers have grown. I would firm and then dc probably will get what they want within reason. Whether self catered or catered, it’s just one year so put down halls that you can afford but some are more popular than others eg Goldney.

Would you all recommend it as a uni? Easy to make friends?

For my dd, definitely yes
But everyone is different. She knows of a couple of people who dropped out in the first term but that happens in all unis.