University Life- people's experiences as parents

[LHB43]

Hi,
Our son has just started at UCL. I'm not entirely convinced the accommodation will work out long term. He is a quiet and shy person. Accommodation in London is very expensive.I know it's early days yet
Has anyone got experience of their teenager moving back home and commuting to keep the costs down? Thanks for any tips/ advice 😊

One of mine decided Uni life wasn’t for them and came home after a week. The other only applied for courses at our closest Uni as he had no intention of living in, but his choice of course was then restricted by what the Uni was offering.

DD is at UCL and has additional needs. She is guaranteed accommodation for all years and has rent control. We live 40 minutes away by train but she finds the experience of travelling difficult so prefers to stay at UCL’ accommodation.

Her friend is commuting and has to travel more than 90 minutes one way. They lived in halls for first year but are absolutely fine with commuting.

One of her other friends left the accommodation after first term and are now commuting (40 minutes one way). They did not like living in the accommodation at as everyone around partied a lot.

Everyone’ different and unless the commute is very long it can be okay unless they are anxious about travelling.

One of mine has additional needs.

her original flatmates did not work out for her as they were into drugs and clubbing and not doing any work and she wasn’t.

she changed flats at Xmas and went into a studio room. Much happier.

three of the original flatmates also moved at Xmas into a more sociable flat.