A Postgrad's Accommodation Experience

While the LUSU site provides good info on accommodation, I thought I would share my own personal experience as a case example for those of you who are still unsure about where to live. Deciding on accommodation is one of the most important aspects of your university experience, especially if you are coming from overseas and are not familiar with living in Britain. Even if you are only here for a year, the type of place you settle into will be an essential part of how well you will be able to study, adapt and cultivate an international student's life.

I've lived in England for three years now, and have resided in Lancaster for two of those years as a postgraduate student. I have had the opportunity to live on campus in Graduate College and now in a flat with my partner on the outskirts of town. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to living on or off campus and what's best for you greatly depends on what type of experience you are looking for.

On-Campus:

There are 9 different college residences on campus: Fylde, Cartmel, Grizedale, Pendle, Bowland, Furness, Lonsdale, County and Graduate College. For more information about these colleges and to find out which is best suited to you, visit the University's accommodation website: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/cro/frontpage.htm.

When I arrived here in 2004, I lived in Graduate College (the main college specifically for postgrads). I enjoyed the proximity to my classes and the communal atmosphere of living and studying with other students from all over the world. I also lived directly above the porter's office, which meant easy access to my postbox. For those of you not familiar with how the residence system works, each college has a main porter's lodge. If you ever lose your keys or have any immediate problems with your flat, these are the people to talk to. More important to note is that they are staffed 24 hrs a day so if you are ever in trouble, they are always there to help.

The main benefits of living on campus for me were meeting new people, not having to worry about regular housing issues such as utility bills, the close proximity to everything on campus, and also having the basic amenities already set up. This is especially nice if you are travelling from abroad. The fact that your flat and room already come equipped with tables, desks, chairs and some cooking equipment means that you don't have as much to worry about when setting up house. Another great factor is that the Internet is fast and easy to set up in the residences, whereas it can be a bit more expensive and tricky in a regular house. You can also choose a room with an en-suite bathroom like I did so that you don't have to share with your flatmates. For room costs on this matter, go here:

The only downside to living on campus is the fact that it can become a bit isolating. That is why it is important to get out and go into town as much as possible, as well as take frequent trips to nearby cities or towns such as Manchester or the Lake District. Maintaining a varied and active social life alongside your studies can only make you more productive and a lot happier.


Off Campus

Off-campus accommodation also has its benefits. You can choose who you are going to live with and where. If you are still looking for the college experience outside of campus, there is also Chancellor's Wharf accommodation which is situated at the canal, directly across from the Waterwitch pub. More info: http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/cro/chancellors.htm

But if it's a house you're looking for, then the options definitely increase. Many students choose this because it can give you more flexibility and autonomy with your lifestyle. Prices in town can range from being really cheap to being on the more expensive side, depending on the location and how many people you share with. To find accommodation, people often post signs around the noticeboards on campus asking for house mates. Or, you can also find rooms on websites such as:

http://www.lancasterhousing.co.uk/
http://www.accommodationforstudents.com/
http://www.studenthousinglancaster.co.uk/
http://www.letstudents.co.uk/

You can also go through a local letting agent, although they tend to be more pricey!

After living on campus for a year, my husband and I moved into a house near the ASDA, about 10 minutes from the town centre. We found our house through a small ad and while it is a moderate distance from the university, it lies on all the major bus routes. Personally, I love being close to town as I find my life has more diversity. It's also nice to have your space and to live in a house that feels more like your own. That being said, I did also have the experience of sharing a house with other students for a year in Manchester. During that time, it was fun to co-habit with other students because of the social environment. However, my advice to anyone looking to share, is be selective about who you live with. It may seem like common sense, but it is extremely important to not just pick a place based on how nice it is or how cheap it may seem. If you don't get along with your housemates, it can be a tough road ahead.

Overall, the off campus experience is good insofar as you have great access to shops, night life and other cultural centres around town. The downside for me has been the long commutes to uni, but that is always superseded by the fact that I live on a major bus route and have the satisfaction of coming home at night to a comfortable space.

* Based on my experiences of living on campus, sharing a house with other students and then living alone with my partner, I would say this: choose your accommodation based on what you think is most important to you. It might be convenience, it might be comfort, it might be socializing or it might be solitude. Whatever the case, know that there are always benefits and disadvantages to any option. All that matter is what is right for you.