The best approach to thinking about where to live next year is to consider all the options and take your time. Despite what you may be hearing from older year students or local agencies, there are many options in Exeter, so don’t sign a contract before you’re sure you’ve made the right choice.
Where to look
There are different types of accommodation options in Exeter, not just the traditional shared house set-up. Living with a host family or in purpose-built student accommodation might suit you better. Read more on the Private Accommodation Options webpage.
If you’re a first-year student, you’re probably still getting used to the city and might not have much knowledge about the different residential areas. Don’t worry – the Community Engagement Officers have shared their experiences and thoughts on the wards (areas) they have lived in and we’ll be sharing these as a series of blogs over the coming week. So keep an eye on the blog to find more information to help you broaden your accommodation search.
Events
Meeting other students who are also looking for next year’s accommodation can really help, as can talking to the advice teams at the University. Our Move Smart events give you an opportunity to do just that.
Kicking off on Thursday 19th October is a week-long series of evening Housemate Finder Events in different residences, where you can meet other students looking for a place to live, and students from the Residence Life and Community Engagement teams, who can share their first-hand experiences and answer any questions you may have.
You’ll also be able to speak to these teams at the ‘Accommodation After the First Year’ event, taking place in the Forum Street on Thursday 19th October, between 10:00 and 16:00. Find more details on the Move Smart website.
Before you view a property…
If you’re already thinking of viewing a property, the Community Liaison Team have created some handy videos to help you consider some important things before you go to a viewing, plus what to look for once you are there.
Useful resources
Information and guidance is out there to help with your accommodation journey. Here are some useful links:
- The Students’ Guild website has lots of information, including advice about contacts and advice contact details.
- The University Move Smart webpages run through lots of information, including the main points to consider when starting your search.
- The University Community Engagement Team are experts when it comes to transitioning into private accommodation. Take a look at their website for helpful tips.
- The Residence Life Team are there to chat and offer advice and insights from their own experiences
- Studentpad is our free online tool to search for accommodation in Exeter.