Halls vs Private Accommodation: The Pros and Cons

When deciding where to live during university, choosing between student halls and private housing can be challenging. Each option offers unique experiences, and the best choice depends on your priorities. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of both to help you decide.

Student Halls

Pros

1. A Social Hub
   If you enjoy meeting new people, halls are perfect for you. With several flatmates and sometimes hundreds of fellow students nearby, socializing is inevitable. Even if you don’t click with your immediate flatmates, you’re surrounded by potential friends, all living just steps away. Halls also provide a chance to interact with a diverse group of students you might not otherwise meet.

2. Convenience at Its Best
   Halls are designed with student needs in mind. Facilities like laundrettes, shops, gyms, transport links, and study spaces are usually right on your doorstep. Some halls even offer student bars, takeaways, or proximity to lecture theatres. You may never have such a convenient living arrangement again!

3. University Support
   Living in halls often means being well-supported by your university. Maintenance issues are usually addressed promptly, cleaners may help with communal areas, and events or student support services are readily available. This level of care is unlikely to be found in private housing.

Cons

1. Higher Costs
   Halls can be more expensive compared to private housing. While the social perks and facilities may justify the price in your first year, you’ll often find cheaper options elsewhere.

2. Smaller Spaces
   Room sizes in halls are typically smaller, so you may need to embrace minimalism for the year.

3. The Social Gamble
   While the social aspect of halls can be fantastic, sharing spaces with strangers can also lead to conflicts. You might encounter flatmates who don’t respect communal areas or simply don’t get along with you. However, the university can usually support you if the situation becomes unbearable.

Private Housing

Pros

1. Greater Independence
   Living in private housing offers more autonomy, giving you a taste of adult life. Managing bills, contracts, and household responsibilities is valuable experience for the future.

2. Choose Your Housemates
   One of the biggest perks of student housing is the ability to live with your friends. Cooking meals together, hosting house parties, or having movie nights can make for some unforgettable memories.

3. Flexibility in Location
   With private housing, you can prioritize proximity to what matters most—whether it’s the library, lecture halls, nightlife, or the gym. You have control over where you live.

Cons

1. The Organisation Hassle
   Finding housemates, attending viewings, managing deposits, and signing contracts can be stressful and time-consuming. In comparison, applying for halls through your university is much simpler. However, navigating this process now is great practice for life after university.

2. Managing Bills
   Unlike halls, private housing often requires you to handle your own bills. This includes budgeting for heating, electricity, and Wi-Fi, which can be challenging—especially during colder months. While bills-inclusive properties exist, they can sometimes be more expensive. Compare prices carefully before opting for this convenience.

3. Unreliable Landlords
   Not all landlords or agencies are student-friendly. Some may be slow to resolve maintenance issues, communicate poorly, or dispute deposit returns. To avoid trouble, ask older students for recommendations and research landlords and agencies before signing a contract.

Final Thoughts

Both student halls and private housing have their advantages and drawbacks. If you value convenience, a ready-made social environment, and university support, halls might be the way to go—especially in your first year. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more independence, the freedom to choose your housemates, and the chance to live in a location of your choice, private housing could be a better fit.

Whichever you choose, embrace the experience—it’s a memorable part of university life!