The Benefits of Shared Accommodation for Students coming to the UK from abroad.
While university halls and some purpose-built student accommodation can offer opportunities to meet new people, there can be significant advantages to living with a group of friends, particularly fellow students from China, India or elsewhere. Here’s why considering a shared apartment might be the perfect option for you:
Built-in Social Circle:
Moving to a new country can be daunting, and having familiar faces can ease the transition. Sharing an apartment with fellow students from your home country provides a ready-made support network and a sense of belonging. You can celebrate holidays and festivals together, explore your chosen university town as a group, and navigate the challenges of student life with familiar support.
Cultural Comfort:
Living with friends who share your background can provide a sense of cultural familiarity. You can cook meals together, watch movies or TV shows from home, and converse in your own first language in a comfortable environment. This can be especially helpful if you’re still adjusting to the language and customs of the UK.
Cost-effective and Shared Responsibilities
Sharing an apartment can significantly reduce your living expenses. Rent, bills, and even groceries can be split amongst the group, making student life more affordable. Additionally, living with friends means sharing household chores and responsibilities. This can relieve pressure and allow you to focus on your studies and social life.
Beyond Roommates. Building a Community in Your Shared Space
University halls and purpose-built student accommodation can be a great introduction to student life, offering convenience and the potential to meet new people. However, for some students, particularly those from China who are coming to a new country, these environments can feel impersonal and isolating. Living with strangers can be a lottery; personalities might clash, or cultural differences might make it difficult to forge strong friendships. Additionally, some student residences have strict rules regarding noise levels and room socialising, further limiting opportunities to connect with others.
The Best of Both Worlds: Privacy and Community in Shared Apartments
Shared private accommodation, particularly multi-occupancy flats offered by providers like Metro Student Accommodation, perfectly balances privacy and community. Spacious apartments like those within The Jazz Bar and The Guild Tavern provide private bedrooms when you need to study or sleep. However, these apartments boast comfortable shared living areas, kitchens, and common rooms, allowing you to enjoy the company of your friends when you want to relax, cook meals together, or chat about your day.
Imagine cosy evenings spent in the communal area, sharing stories and laughter with your friends after a day of lectures. Having a built-in social circle within your accommodation eliminates the pressure to constantly seek out social interaction elsewhere. This can be a significant advantage for students from China, India or elsewhere, who might miss the familiar comforts of home and the close-knit social circles they may be accustomed to.
Living with friends brings a sense of camaraderie and belonging. You can celebrate important holidays and festivals together, explore your university city as a group, and navigate the challenges of student life with familiar support.
Finding the perfect shared space is critical to creating a home away from home that fosters a sense of community and belonging. By choosing a multi-occupancy flat with colleagues from your home country, you can create an environment that allows you to focus on your studies while still having the privacy you need to thrive in your academic journey. With familiar faces around, adjusting to a new country and culture becomes a shared experience, and the challenges of student life can be tackled together, making your time in your chosen university town all the more enriching.
Take the Next Step: Finding Your Ideal Shared apartment or house in your chosen university town.
Now that you’re convinced of the benefits of shared accommodation with friends let’s delve into the practicalities of finding the perfect multi-occupancy flat in the UK. Here are some critical steps to ensure a smooth and successful search:
Start Early
Competition for the best student accommodation in Preston can be fierce, particularly for more extensive multi-occupancy flats. Begin your search early, ideally a few months before your intended move-in date. This will give you ample time to browse options, compare prices, and secure your ideal place.
Communicate with Your Friends
Open communication with your friends is crucial. Discuss your budget expectations, desired location, and any essential amenities you need. Do you all require en-suite bathrooms for ultimate privacy, or are you comfortable with shared facilities? Would you prefer a modern apartment with a dishwasher and laundry facilities, or are you willing to compromise on some amenities to stay within budget? Discussing these preferences upfront will streamline your search and prevent any last-minute disagreements.
Set a Realistic Budget
Student life comes with various expenses beyond rent. Factor in the cost of bills (utilities and internet come included with Metro Student Accommodation), transport, groceries, and any additional services you might need, like laundry facilities or a cleaner.
Once you clearly understand your collective budget, you can realistically determine the type and location of your ideal shared flat.
Conduct Virtual Viewings:
Once you’ve shortlisted a few potential flats, schedule viewings to get a firsthand feel for the space. Many landlords, such as Metro Student Accommodation, can provide walkthrough video tours.
Pay attention to the overall condition of the property, the size of the bedrooms and shared areas, and the functionality of the kitchen and bathroom facilities. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the surrounding neighbourhood, noise levels, security measures, and internet connectivity.
Explore Purpose-built private student accommodation.
Many purpose-built student accommodation providers in university towns offer multi-occupancy flats specifically designed for groups of students. These flats often boast modern amenities like shared living areas, well-equipped kitchens, and on-site laundry facilities. Some residences might offer additional perks like on-site gyms, common rooms with game tables, or courtyards, which can be great for socialising and unwinding.
As mentioned earlier, Metro Student Accommodation offers excellent options like “The Jazz Bar” and “The Guild Tavern” in Person and an incredible 10-bedroom house in Swansea. These spacious flats provide individual bedrooms for privacy and comfortable shared living areas, perfect for fostering community within your friend group.
Private Student Accommodation Landlords
While converted offices and tower blocks offer a convenient and hassle-free option, exploring private rentals can sometimes be more attractive. Ensure you find a reputable landlord with a proven record of renting to students (such as Metro Student Accommodation).
It is well worth carefully reviewing the tenancy agreement before signing it, ensuring it clearly outlines each tenant’s responsibilities regarding rent, bills, maintenance, and security deposits.
Online Resources:
The internet is a powerful tool for finding student accommodation across the United Kingdom. Use property listing websites like Metro Student Accommodation and student forums to browse options and compare prices.
Additionally, many universities have dedicated online portals that advertise student accommodation, including shared flats. Don’t hesitate to contact your university’s international student support team for guidance and recommendations on reputable landlords or agencies specialising in student rentals.
Trust Your Instinct:
Finding suitable accommodation is more than location and amenities. Pay attention to your instincts during viewings. Does the flat feel comfortable and welcoming? Can you envision yourself living and socialising with your friends in this space? Ultimately, choosing a shared flat is about creating a home away from home. In this place, you feel safe, supported, and comfortable throughout your student journey in the United Kingdom.
Following these steps and prioritising open communication with friends, you can find the perfect multi-occupancy apartment. This shared space will be a place to live and a hub for creating lasting memories, fostering friendships, and making your time studying at university an enriching and unforgettable experience.
