I'm thinking of staying at home when I go to university and commuting in rather than moving out (well, not yet anyway).
As has been said in another thread, it costs about £6k per month in rent excluding bills. That's in the South East, anyway. Money of which, seems like a huge amount.
I'm looking to be going to a uni where I can either live at home and commute or move away and not be too far from home (45 mins drive/train journey at most), so Scotland, deepest Wales and the Westcountry and anywhere too far up North is pretty much out of the question.
What are the benefits to moving away and staying at home? What are the disadvantages? What options do you get if you move away from home? Is there much point in moving out?
And halls. What are they like? Do they have mod cons such as phonelines and broadband internet?
I've heard some places actually make you pay rip off charges for phonecalls, and charging you for the free ones.
University - moving away or staying at home?
Move out.
You'll be amazed the amount of people you meet that say they didn't live in halls in the first year and just commuted and how much they regretted it. A lot choose to live in halls in their 2nd year if they can get a place.
Halls usually are a bit poo, but it unites everyone together and makes for a good laugh. I'm looking forward to University Attempt II in London. Obviously I have to move out of home...and halls are the only chance I'm going to get to live in Central London for £6,000 a year.
University isn't just about the learning...it's a whole experience too. And you'll be pissed off within 2 months of having to travel.
You'll be amazed the amount of people you meet that say they didn't live in halls in the first year and just commuted and how much they regretted it. A lot choose to live in halls in their 2nd year if they can get a place.
Halls usually are a bit poo, but it unites everyone together and makes for a good laugh. I'm looking forward to University Attempt II in London. Obviously I have to move out of home...and halls are the only chance I'm going to get to live in Central London for £6,000 a year.
University isn't just about the learning...it's a whole experience too. And you'll be pissed off within 2 months of having to travel.
Good Lord!
Phonelines and broadband internet? Good grief, in my day, all you got was a payphone in the basement, which you usually had to queue for hours to use while some girl sobbed down the line to her parents!! Don't know you're born these days!!Chris wrote:And halls. What are they like? Do they have mod cons such as phonelines and broadband internet?
I've heard some places actually make you pay rip off charges for phonecalls, and charging you for the free ones.
Oh, and I agree with Ison - definitely don't live at home.
Ison is right.
Move out.
To be honest, all the money in the world would not have prevented me from leaving. Perhaps something to do with the fact that I lived about 300 miles away from my university, but regardless, anyone I know who has stayed at home has seriously regretted it.
Move out.
To be honest, all the money in the world would not have prevented me from leaving. Perhaps something to do with the fact that I lived about 300 miles away from my university, but regardless, anyone I know who has stayed at home has seriously regretted it.
Funny this thread has been created today. I have spent the day in London trying to get this sorted.
I ended up getting my current place via UCAS Extra, as I decided on a last minute change of course. This has worked out quite well, with me getting a conditional offer of 3Ds and a place on a course much better suited for me and my future intentions.
But because I applied late, sorting out accomodation was a bit of a nightmare, realising late that a crucial information pack had not been sent. Instead of sorting it out via phone though, I went into London, filled in the forms, got a place in the halls of my choice, and even has the opportunity to visit them and a potential room.
I really am blessed as to where I'm staying. I have gone for a large room, only as it was not more expensive than a standard room. Plus it is in a very nice part of London. A twenty minute tube ride from the excitement of inner London and where my campus is located, but moreover with the ability to retreat and unwind surrounded by greenary.
Although this could horribly backfire, James and Tom are completely echoing what other friends of mine say. Yes, the cost can be a significant and tempting issue urging you to stay put. However Chris, if you do it, you will get an experience, the independence, the friends, the outlook on life, the ability to cook (haha) and the vastly expanded understanding of your full potential you just would not get living at home.
I ended up getting my current place via UCAS Extra, as I decided on a last minute change of course. This has worked out quite well, with me getting a conditional offer of 3Ds and a place on a course much better suited for me and my future intentions.
But because I applied late, sorting out accomodation was a bit of a nightmare, realising late that a crucial information pack had not been sent. Instead of sorting it out via phone though, I went into London, filled in the forms, got a place in the halls of my choice, and even has the opportunity to visit them and a potential room.
I really am blessed as to where I'm staying. I have gone for a large room, only as it was not more expensive than a standard room. Plus it is in a very nice part of London. A twenty minute tube ride from the excitement of inner London and where my campus is located, but moreover with the ability to retreat and unwind surrounded by greenary.
Although this could horribly backfire, James and Tom are completely echoing what other friends of mine say. Yes, the cost can be a significant and tempting issue urging you to stay put. However Chris, if you do it, you will get an experience, the independence, the friends, the outlook on life, the ability to cook (haha) and the vastly expanded understanding of your full potential you just would not get living at home.
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James Martin
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Move out! One WEEK of commuting did it for me once I saw what I was missing out on. And Ison lived in the same building. 
If you don't like it you should be able to pull out.
If you don't like it you should be able to pull out.
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Gavin Scott
- Admin
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That's what yer man said.James Martin wrote:If you don't like it you should be able to pull out.
*snigger*
I stayed at home, and now I guess I regret it a bit as I learnt about things like cooking and finances later than everyone else. On the plus side I graduated in credit (we had grants in my day 
) and home comforts. The course I took was mostly full of older people anyway so no-one went out to party on my course, they went home and cooked dinner for their kids. Yes, I missed out on the partying side, I ventured into a club for the first time two years after I left university... trying to catch up I guess.
) and home comforts. The course I took was mostly full of older people anyway so no-one went out to party on my course, they went home and cooked dinner for their kids. Yes, I missed out on the partying side, I ventured into a club for the first time two years after I left university... trying to catch up I guess. 
"That one!"
You need to get away from home! I didn't realise that's what I wanted to do before I did it and now I've never looked back! (in fact I don't like extended periods back home now because it's too easy for things to slip back into being treated like a kid).
I was physically sick on the day I moved out to go to University in Leeds, that's how scared I was of doing it. After a week I was very confortable in my new home, I made some fantastic friends and to be honest, the life experience is worth so much more than any short-term monatary gain...
I was physically sick on the day I moved out to go to University in Leeds, that's how scared I was of doing it. After a week I was very confortable in my new home, I made some fantastic friends and to be honest, the life experience is worth so much more than any short-term monatary gain...