Being a new student in a foreign city is scary to say the least.
But I will say that finding a place to live is probably one of the most important things an international/ EU student has to do. Student accommodation can either make or break your student experience; specially during the first few months.
That is why today I wanted to share with you 3 things you must know to find a place that makes you feel like home.
Know what you are looking for.
There are so many options out there. Do you want to live in a studio apartment? Or do you want to share with other people? Do you want an ensuite room, or do you mind sharing a bathroom? These are key when filtering out options for you to choose from.
In the UK it is normal to share with other students. There are houses available for up to 12/15 to share, with only a few bathrooms in the house. So, it is important to know what you are after. The amount of people you live with will likely affect the way your student life goes in terms of going out.
Know your surroundings.
Living in a big city like Manchester means there are a lot of neighbourhoods with student housing. I have always chosen mine according to distance from university and public transport. If you drive, this might not be an issue, but the safety of the area might, especially if you need parking. I recommend going on the police website here to check crimes by postcode.
The main student housing area for second and third years is Fallowfield.
Know who to trust.
As students, it is not always easy to be taken seriously. That is why you should have a reliable source that will lead you to the right halls and landlords. If you are a first year, I recommend living in university halls, Salford, Manchester Met, UoMand RNCM all have private halls of residence you can apply for.-If you are an international Tier 4 student, this will make it easier for you visa application. Alternately, Manchester Student Homes will be able to cater for students and has a specific section on policies against discrimination towards foreign students.
Important: Housing that is not university owned might ask you to pay all year upfront, this is standard in the UK. This is with the exception you have guarantor. Which you can learn more about here.
Hope this helps you find exactly what you are looking for! When I doubt, always try to reach out to your university or drop us a message on the comments section below!
