For many, entering university is an important milestone as it signifies the start of their journey into adulthood. However, the prospect of moving out of their parents’ house to be closer to school is an intimidating prospect for some. Finding a place which you can confidently call home will make it easier to assimilate to the new situation.
While there are plenty of options for student housing in and around London, finding the right one for you will take a little bit of work. Choosing the place you will be living in for the next four years or so is a serious decision that should not be hastily made. Here are five important factors to take into consideration when you are looking for your home away from home.
Affordability
Establish a workable budget before you start looking at flats or house-shares. Knowing exactly how much you are willing to spend on your accommodation allows you to narrow down your search. In addition, having a fixed budget will make it easier for you to break down the amount you will spend on rent, utilities, and other costs that might come up.
Inexpensive housing does not have to equate to bad housing. There are plenty of buy-to-let student accommodations and flat-shares for rent in London that have been modernised and refurbished to be more comfortable while still being affordable for university students.
Proximity
After deciding on how much you are willing to spend on your new place, consider the options that are within the vicinity of your university. As you will be commuting from your place to your university back and forth on a regular basis, the distance should not be so far that it becomes inconvenient for you. In addition to the accommodation’s proximity to your university, consider its distance from bus and train stations and the shopping centre for easier accessibility.
Safety
Seeing as this is the place you will be living in for the foreseeable future, ensuring that it is safe and secure is a top priority. When you are at the viewing, ask the landlord if they have an alarm system installed and if they have other security measures in place. Make sure to also check the locks on doors to see if they work properly and if windows can be closed all the way through. Doing additional research on the neighbourhood where the flat or house is located can also inform you of the precautions you will have to take if you choose to move in that area.
Facilities
Most buy to let houses and flat-shares these days have common facilities such as a kitchen and utility room. Some modern accommodations even have group study rooms, a gym, or even an entertainment centre for residents. While these might not seem like a big deal, the convenience of having these facilities in the same building as your room or flat allows you to save money, time, and effort.
Maintenance
As you are viewing the accommodation, talk to the landlord about maintenance and repairs. There are some accommodations that will shoulder the cost of these necessities while there are others that might have you pay for them yourself. The latter situation can put a dent in your budget as these types of expenses can be costly over time.
Moving away from home to pursue your dreams is a daunting task that plenty of young adults go through. While entering the university of your dreams is the first step, finding a suitable home for your stay there will make the long journey all the easier.
