Preston has a vibrant and welcoming campus and is an amazing place to study abroad. You can call this quaint town in the UK your home while you pursue your dreams here. However, finding the right student accommodation in Preston as a foreign student can be challenging. It is one of the most crucial steps in moving abroad and needs careful planning. Moreover, you also need to know your choices of homes in Preston and their pros and cons.
But worry not! This guide is here to equip you with the strategies you can employ to find your perfect student pad.
What are Your Options as per Your Needs and Budget?
Before you even start browsing for a house, take a moment to reflect on your wants. What kind of student accommodation in Preston would you prefer? Do you want a social space where there is a constant buzz or a quiet dorm? Or maybe you want the independence of a private flat and the off-campus life experiences?
Here are a few options you have in the city as a foreign student looking for a home:
- Halls of Residence: These are usually managed by the college and offer a social space. They, moreover, often come with catering and are the most convenient for a new student in a new country. However, they can also be more expensive and less flexible than every other option.
- Shared Houses/ Flats: This option offers more independence to individuals and is also cost-effective. However, it does entail finding flatmates and managing bills, which can be a headache.
- Private Halls: This student accommodation in Preston is similar to college halls but is managed by private companies or individuals. Furthermore, they often have more modern amenities and a stronger sense of camaraderie than the halls owned by colleges.
- Private Flats/ Studios: It is perfect for those looking for complete privacy and independence without worrying about spending extra on housing.
Moreover, also look at what your budget is. How much are you willing to spend on student accommodation in UK to find what you want? Factor in the rent, bills [electricity, gas, internet, water], food, travel, etc., as you budget for it.
How to Look for the Right Place?
Now that you know about your options, let us look at where you can search for your home.
As you are a student in a foreign country, it is not possible for you to manually inspect the place. So, for student accommodation in Preston, there are three ways you can go about searching your options:
- Internet
- Any friends/ relatives/acquaintances living in the city
- Study abroad agents’ network of alumni
Online
The internet might be your best friend in this quest since it has various resources at your disposal:
- Portals: There are many portals for students’ lodgings, like UniHomes, etc., offering a wide range of options like shared housing, etc.
- College Website for Halls: Every college that offers student accommodation in Preston will have a specific section detailing every info about it.
- Property Websites: For individuals looking to move in independently or in a shared flat, there are various property websites. This list private flats and houses one can rent as a student abroad.
- Social Media: The perfect place for connection now can be used to find you a home. You can join student Facebook groups and other social forums to connect with others like you. Who knows, maybe you might even find your future flatmate there?
Friends and Others
While your friends/ relatives/ or study abroad agent’s alumni may check a place out for you, it is not ideal. Firstly, they might not know what you want in your study abroad home. Moreover, they might also not know your budget, preference for amenities, and such. Lastly, they might not check out the property thoroughly, which will leave you to deal with any fallouts.
What to Consider when Deciding upon a Place?
When looking for a place to call home abroad, here are a few things you need to look for:
Location and Transport:
Think about:
- How far are you willing to travel to lectures?
- How safe is the locality?
- Are there any shops, hospitals, markets, etc., nearby?
- Do you have easy access to buses, trains, or bike lanes?
Inspection Results
When looking for a home, inspect it thoroughly, and if you can’t, hire professionals to help you.
- Clarify which bills you will have to pay for apart from the rent and which are covered under it.
- Look for any signs of dampness, mold, or damage.
- Ask about locks, cameras, and emergency protocols.
- Make sure all the appliances coming with the property are working correctly.
Conclusion
Finding the right student accommodation in UK for foreign students is like a maze, you have to walk through it to find the right place. However, by following the above given tips and guide, you can make this process easier for yourself. Remember, finding the perfect lodging is as essential as finding the right course, so do not rush it. Happy hunting!
