Tuesday 28 November 2017

Choosing the Right Accommodation

The majority of students today will spend their first year in a community based student accommodation known as ‘student halls’. This type of shared living does not suit every student however and come the second-year, students will have the opportunity to branch out as a group or independently. The vital decisions that are made in this moment can shape the rest of your university experience, therefore, we are here to shed some light on the variety of student accommodation that is available in Birmingham and its surrounding area.

Independent Living

If you’ve spent your first year in student halls and have decided that they are not for you, maybe it’s time to consider an independent living environment. This is ideal for students who enjoy time to themselves. Student studios and apartments offer a perfect get away from the busy life as a student. Both studios and apartment have their pros and cons so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.


Price

Studios – the cost of a studio can vary greatly depending on the supplier, but the average for a studio in the Selly Oak area next to the University of Birmingham can be between £100 - £150 a week. This price is affordable to students, but by doing your research, there’s always a chance you can find a good quality studio for a lower price.
Apartments – the cost of a student apartment is very similar to the cost of a studio, so in this instance, there is not a great difference. Both are affordable for students in Birmingham.

Layout

Studios – a studio often consists of one large room that contains your bed, a kitchen and a lounge/study area. It is said that a studio is suited to a person who lives a busy life, as everything you need is in one space allowing you to easily move between tasks. While you may have enough space to have your friends around, some of your friends may have to perch on the end of your bed, which could be invasive to your privacy.

Apartments – the layout of an apartment can provide a great environment to relax and relieve stress after a long day at university. However, apartments differ from studios here due to their layout, an apartment has 2 or 3 rooms, one large main living room for relaxing and study, a second kitchen room and finally a bedroom. This can offer a more relaxed style of living, and means that you can have friends visit without impacting your privacy.


Size

The size of both a studio and an apartment are solely dependent on the size of the property and can vary. As should be expected, the price of a studio or apartment will increase with it’s size.

Storage

Studios – storage in all property types will not vary much, however you could argue due to a studio being one large room that it will not contain as much storage as you may need.
Apartments – an apartment can offer a more ideal storage solution. Having a number of rooms offers the opportunity to add multiple storage options of your own, without your accommodation looking like a storage facility.

Shared Accommodation

For those who have enjoyed their time in student halls, shared accommodation would be a great way to live during your time at university. Shared accommodation such as housing has its own advantages and disadvantages for student life, but with communication between everyone, most of the disadvantages can be worked through.  


Price

The price for a shared house in Birmingham averages around £60 – £90 a week per person. This price gets you your own room, with shared bathrooms, a lounge and kitchen. This is often a lot more affordable for students than an independent living solution, however you are sharing the space with other people.

Floor Plan

In shared accommodation, the layout tends to vary a lot more. A student house can hold anywhere from 2 bedrooms to 12 and above. Alongside this, there will be a number of bathrooms, usually 1 to every two/three rooms. On the bottom floor you will have a large kitchen complete with appliances such as a washing machine, cooker and fridge/freezer. You will often find that the layout of the student house will differ street to street. The best way to find a property that suits you is to book several viewings.


Size

Houses tend to have a lot of variety in the size of its rooms. You are likely to get a larger kitchen and lounging area than those found in independent accommodation, but this is to be shared between everyone at the property. Most properties have bedrooms with a double bed and storage, alongside a small desk or study area. The bedroom in shared accommodation is your private space away from your housemates, so make sure you find a house with a bedroom that suits you.

Storage

The amount of storage you have available in a property will often depend on the size of the property that you are looking at. However, almost all properties will give you a wardrobe for your clothes and a desk with drawers in your room, with some properties giving you additional drawers or shelving space. There will likely be room to add a further small storage unit if you require it. The true test of storage in shared accommodation comes in the kitchen, as everyone will be trying to find room for their pots and pans. It may be worthwhile for everyone to agree on sharing utensils, or to buy a shared pack of cooking utensils for the entire house to use. 


What’s Right for You?

This isn’t something that we can tell you. Where you decide to live in your second and third year at university is up to you and your preferences. Each form of student accommodation has advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. It is important that you pick your accommodation based on what suits you and your requirements. Living in a space that doesn’t agree with you can lead to you not enjoying your university experience, or causing issues with your studying.


Unihousing offers all types of student accommodation in Selly Oak and other surrounding areas of Birmingham. Both student studios and shared housing are on the market for the new academic year in 2018. We could have your ideal student accommodation, head to our site and book a viewing so you can find your ideal student accommodation.

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