Pros and cons of different student accommodation options in Cardiff
Jordan, Senior Property Advisor, points out some of the pros and cons to the different student accommodation options that are available in Cardiff...
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes.
Choosing which university you’re going to attend to further your education is one big decision, but the next is just around the corner - where will your live during your studies?
If you choose to study at one of the many Cardiff university campuses, whether you’re from Cardiff, nearby or further afield, you will be weighing up to Cardiff student accommodation options.
From university halls of residence to private halls or a shared house, there are pros and cons to each, so we’re here to give you the lowdown to help you make the best decision for you.
Living in a shared house during university
Choosing to live with other students in a shared house is perhaps the most popular option for the majority of second year and third year students. By this point, it’s easier for you to buddy up with friends you’ve made at university, you’ll be a year or two older and wiser (and ready for the next step of independence), plus you’ll be more familiar with the city surroundings.
Pros of living in a shared house as a student
- You can make sure you’re happy with the housemates you’ll be living with (usually friends!)
- It’s a very affordable option as costs are split between more students
- You have more property options thanks to the array of student houses and flats on the market
- You can choose the exact area of Cardiff you’ll be living in
- You have more freedom when it comes to choosing utility providers
- More independence and an ability to continue your growth as a person
- Ability to shut yourself away in a quiet space and focus on your studies at the important times
Cons of living in a shared house as a student
- No cleaners, cooks or security personnel on hand so you’ll have to take care of everything yourself
- Potential fall-out with housemates could prove awkward while living together
- You may have to sign a longer tenancy agreement, but all cases will be different depending on the landlord
- Due to lack of security the property could potentially be more at risk of burglary - you’ll have to ensure any student house is as well-prepped as possible from a security standpoint with locks on all doors and windows etc.
- You’ll have to make (and follow) arrangements with other housemates, such as communal area cleaning duties, to keep everyone happy
- Shared student houses may often be up to a few miles away from university campuses so further commuting may be required
Read: 5 benefits of shared student accommodation at University
Living in University halls of residence
Students embarking on their university journey often opt for halls of residence for the first year as it keeps things simple and allows students to ease their way into university life.
Pros of living in university halls of residence
- Provides a great way to meet other students and build a network of friends
- Life in university halls of residence can be very social with many new students all living in the same vicinity and regular student social events and activities being organised
- No need to be concerned with addition responsibilities such as setting up and paying bills as everything that’s important is likely to be included within your rent
- Some university halls of residence even offer some form of catering so if you’re yet to hone your cooking skills this could be a great pro
Cons of living in university halls of residence
- Tends to be more expensive than living in a shared student house or flat
- With so many students living in the same building it can be quite a noisy space, which doesn’t lend itself well for quiet study times or consistent good nights of sleep
- If you’re in university halls that offers catering, you’re likely to find yourself in regular queues for breakfast and dinner
- You’ll have next to no choice with which other students are living within close proximity to your room
- Bathrooms, kitchens and other communal spaces will be shared with many other students
- Living with many other young students who are more focused on partying than studying can result in many distractions, such as late-night fire alarms due to drunk students burning their toast
Living in private halls during university
Private halls offer a similar experience to university halls of residence, but as they are privately owned and operated you can find yourself living with students from different universities, and they may sometimes be located just a little further afield from campuses.
Pros of living in private halls
- An opportunity to meet a range of different students from other universities and courses
- You may be able to attend student social events if they happen to be organised
- All bills are included so no need to concern yourself with the additional responsibility of setting up and managing utility bills
- Private halls are often better maintained than university halls of residence so you may be able to experience a little extra luxury and cleanliness in all living spaces
- Some private halls have the option to choose catered or non-catered accommodation
- Some private halls also offer extra benefits such as a gym (sometimes at no extra cost)
- Tenancy agreements are usually shorter meaning there’s no need for students to cover costs during the summer if they return home
Cons of living in private halls
- Private halls may offer extra luxury and benefits, but they are also typically the most expensive student accommodation option
- Less support may be available, such as the in-house pastoral care that university halls of residence typically offer
- Living with a range of different students could result in you being surrounded by people you have nothing in common with
- Due to the amount of students living within the building you can expect noise levels to be loud
- Private halls are often located further from campuses, so you’ll have to ensure the commute is reasonable enough for you
Here at CPS Homes, our team of student letting experts are here to help you source the perfect private student accommodation in Cardiff so that you can make the very most of your university experience. To find out more about how we can help with the entire process, be sure to get in touch by calling 02920 668585, e-mailing enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or by popping into one of our three Cardiff branches.
