Finding somewhere to live is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever have to make when you go to university.
Most first-year students opt to live in university-owned halls or private student accommodation, before moving into private housing in their second and third years.
Private student accommodation and university halls of residence are very similar in the sense that numerous students will be living under the same roof – sharing a kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities.
The main difference is that private halls are owned by a private company, rather than the university. And private halls, like our student accommodation in Bolton, tend to boast more modern facilities, which can be reflected in the monthly rent.
Private housing, on the other hand, is usually the go-to option for a group of friends or course-mates looking to share a place. With this type of student accommodation, you’ll usually have to liaise with the landlord directly – giving you more independence.
Private student housing and purpose-built halls both have their perks – but the question is, which is right for you?
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.
The pros of private housing
Sharing a house with fellow students is typically the preferred choice for second and third-year university students, and it’s clear to see why when:
- You get to choose who you live with.
- You can invite friends over whenever you like for takeaways, movie nights and pre-drinks.
- You can split the costs between all housemates and share supplies.
- Student houses are usually comfier, as there are no awkward communal areas.
- There are properties to suit all budgets and group sizes with 3-7 bedrooms.
The cons of private housing
Whilst private housing gives you a taste of living independently, it also has its drawbacks.
For example:
- To find private housing, you’ll often have to go through a letting agent – and these usually have their own fees and commission, which adds to the cost.
- Unlike halls of residence, students renting a house privately (either on their own or with friends) are typically required to pay council tax. The fee can vary depending on the valuation band of the property.
- Most student houses are situated on the outskirts of town, further away from the university campus. The journey back and forth can be expensive and gruelling.
- When renting privately, you’ll often find that utility bills are not included in the monthly rent, meaning you’ll have to be savvier with your money.
The pros of private halls
Not just great for first-year students, private halls like ours are open to all ages.
Here are just a few of the perks of staying in private halls:
- If you’re moving to an area that you’re unfamiliar with and don’t know anyone, living in private halls is a fantastic way to meet new people. Who knows, you may even make some lifelong friends!
- Unlike private housing, electricity and water bills are normally included in the rent – making it easier for you to manage your money. Most providers also provide high-speed Wi-Fi, which we do at Orlando Village!
- Halls tend to be conveniently located – no more than a quick walk to the main campus. Not only do you get the luxury of an extra 5 minutes in bed but you can easily nip back if you forget something.
- Private halls are usually gated and have CCTV in operation 24/7, making them a safe and secure accommodation option. At Orlando Village, we have both of these security measures in place and our staff are on-site 24/7.
The cons of private halls
Although private halls provide a convenient and cost-effective alternative to private housing, it’s important to note the potential disadvantages.
- Unfortunately, you’re not going to get on with everyone, and you might not have much in common with your flatmates.
- Some students might steal your food from the shared kitchen, which is annoying when you’re on a student budget. However, at Orlando Village, we provide each tenant with their own cupboard, and this can be locked with a small padlock (similar to a luggage lock).
Yet to secure student accommodation in Bolton?
Orlando Village is the only accommodation provider to be approved and recommended by the University of Bolton.
We accommodate students throughout their university studies, meaning you can stay with us from your first year right through to your master’s degree.
Our purpose-built halls are split into 8 separate blocks and contain flats of 6 bedrooms. All our rooms are offered on a self-catering basis. But the beauty of living in our private halls is that you have access to a communal kitchen, meaning you and your flatmates can help each other to whip up tasty meals.
Another thing worth noting is that we offer incentives for current tenants when they refer friends. For instance, if you’re already staying with us and your friend books through your referral, you’ll both get £50.00 cash straight into your bank account. For more information, speak to a member of staff.
Arrange a viewing
Although you’re more than welcome to flick through the images on our website, we’d always recommend viewing our private halls in person. This will allow you to get a true feel for what our student accommodation in Bolton is really like and whether or not you could see yourself living here.
If you have any questions or would like to book a viewing, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01204 903 488 today.
