Searching for housing in a different country can be much more difficult than it sounds. You can’t visit the property, you don’t know the best websites to use or what services are reliable, and the expectations may be different.
If you are like me, I was really excited to look for housing! Choosing where to live was a lot of fun, but I found it overwhelming because I didn’t really know where to look or even what to look for. Unfortunately, I fell into a student trap where I ended up paying a lot more money for basic housing than I should have.
I learned a lot from that experience, and so here is a list of tips and tricks to help you avoid falling into similar traps!
When to Apply for Housing?
Housing usually goes really fast! So try to establish where you will live as soon as you can. Don’t forget that you are competing for space against both returning students and new students, so it can get really competitive. Often, housing will be guaranteed for first-years, but that does not necessarily mean that you will get what you apply for.
It is okay if you apply for and accept housing offers before you receive you Student Visa. The timelines for both processes do not always line up exactly, so don’t let this dissuade you from finding accommodation early.
US vs. UK
Student housing culture is very different from the US to the UK. In the States, we are used to the dormitory atmosphere: sharing a room with 1-2 other people, communal bathrooms, a laundry room with rows of washers and dryers, etc.
In the UK, it is very different. Even in student housing, it can be much closer to an apartment style. Students typically have their own room, but are separated into 4-10 person suites where they share 1-2 bathrooms, have laundry facilities in the suite, and may have a full kitchen as well. The set up differs per school and even per building, so taking the time to really research the options is essential.
University Accommodation
A great place to start is with your university. They generally have a large percentage of international students (that’s where they make most of their money!) and will include options for university housing on their ‘Resources for International Students’ list. This option is guaranteed to be students-only and can be a great place to really delve into the university atmosphere!
I would recommend this route for undergraduates – it may even be required depending on the school. Dealing with housing responsibilities can be a lot on top of everything else, so you may prefer the stability that comes with university housing, such as catered food (usually options for this), 24/7 security, Resident Assistants, and more.
As a postgraduate student, I would caution against the typical university housing route. Academics can be much more intense and, of course, year-round, which does not always work well with undergraduate university culture. Plus, there are much cheaper options elsewhere.
University Recommendations
Your university may have a list of suggested companies for accommodation options, but be wary of this. These organizations probably have some sort of agreement with the university, meaning that they may charge a much higher rate than they should. However, exploring these options can be a good way of seeing what to expect!
Public Websites
If you are a postgraduate student, I recommend finding general accommodation within the city. The following website are good places to find options to either rent a room in a flat, or to flatshare with 1-3 other people:
- Spareroom
- OntheMarket
- Zoopla
- Citylets
- Rightmove
My personal favorite is Spareroom. They have easy-to-navigate search features with plenty of filters, and it seems to be one of the most-used housing websites. When searching for housing, make sure to get in contact with the person who has posted the advertisement and ask as many questions as you can. Important topics to cover include:
- Monthly rent (~700 pounds is average)
- If council tax is required (if living with majority students, council tax is waived)
- Average monthly utilities cost
- Location
- Nearby public transportation
- What kind of furniture you will need to supply for yourself, if any
- Get to know your flat mates as well! If you don’t see yourselves being friends, it might be a good idea to look around a bit more before deciding
Especially as a postgraduate, you will most likely be living in this area for at least a year. I really recommend trying to embrace this time as much as possible. Make it your home, find friends, be comfortable. Some amazing relationships can come out of this time.
Other Options
If none of the above options are working for you, often universities will have group chats for international students on Facebook and/or on WhatsApp. Definitely take advantage of these because I guarantee that almost everyone in these groups are also looking for friends, roommates, or classmates.
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