{"id":10481,"date":"2025-11-18T10:47:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T10:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/accommodation\/?p=10481"},"modified":"2025-11-18T10:47:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T10:47:19","slug":"move-smart-spotlight-on-where-to-live-private-accommodation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/accommodation\/move-smart-spotlight-on-where-to-live-private-accommodation\/","title":{"rendered":"Move Smart – Spotlight on where to live: Private Accommodation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Purpose-built student accommodation can be a great choice for living after your first year, but the advice from current student and Community Engagement Officer, Nazrin Mammadova, is to do you research.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been living in private accommodation since my second year at Exeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest advantages has been how safe and quiet<\/strong> the area is \u2014 I\u2019ve always felt comfortable coming home late or walking around in the evenings. It\u2019s definitely a good choice if you’re looking for a bit more peace and personal space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private accommodation also gives you more independence. It feels less like temporary student housing and more like a proper home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my second year…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I moved into a private accommodation complex that seemed great at first glance \u2014 modern, central, and lively. But despite the high price, the experience was far from ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the facilities frequently did not work and aspects of the design and location of my room needed attention, but when I complained, my issues were not addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That experience really reinforced that a high price doesn\u2019t always mean high quality \u2014 and that some private providers prioritise image over genuine care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my third year…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I moved into a different purpose-built student accommodation, which I heard about through word of mouth from other international students, not online listings. It\u2019s also private accommodation, but the difference has been night and day. It\u2019s clean, peaceful, and well-maintained, and I haven\u2019t had a single issue so far. I live in a studio flat, which was a personal choice \u2014 I prefer having my own space. I know shared housing works for some people, but I\u2019ve also seen many friendships fall apart after first year, so I knew I\u2019d do better in an independent setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The property was well-maintained, and any issues were usually dealt with quite quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to consider<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

That said, it\u2019s important to note that private accommodation can be quite expensive<\/strong>, especially if bills aren\u2019t included. You\u2019ll want to budget carefully and factor in things like Wi-Fi, utilities, and council tax (if you’re not a full-time student).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another thing to consider is location \u2014 while some private places are closer to campus, others may be further out, so make sure to check transport links and walking distance before committing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your budget allows and you value a quieter, more independent living setup, private accommodation is definitely worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My biggest piece of advice<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Overall, my biggest piece of advice is simple: talk to people who\u2019ve actually lived there. No amount of glossy photos or Google reviews can replace an honest opinion from someone who\u2019s experienced it first hand. Ask what the atmosphere is like \u2014 are there constant parties or is it quiet? Is it near a club or a busy road? Even where your window faces can make a huge difference to your comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private accommodation can be a fantastic option if you choose carefully. After some challenging experiences, I\u2019ve finally found somewhere that feels like home \u2014 and it\u2019s made my university life much calmer, healthier, and more enjoyable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Purpose-built student accommodation can be a great choice for living after your first year, but the advice from current student and Community Engagement Officer, Nazrin […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":10491,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[713,595],"tags":[765,411,767,503],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMove Smart - Spotlight on where to live: Private Accommodation - University Living<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/accommodation\/move-smart-spotlight-on-where-to-live-private-accommodation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Move Smart - 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