How to spot a bad accommodation deal

Location: The location part of your housing is a very important one. If you balls this up it could be hazardous to your student life. So when looking for student accommodation make sure that you keep these points in mind.

College: Try and find a house closest to your college. You don't want to walk 5 miles every time you have a lesson do you!!

Nightlife: Lets face it, student's go out a lot so the closest to the night life the better. You want to be in walking distance to the nightlife so you don't need to pay bus and taxi fairs.

Shopping: Find out if there is a large and cheap supermarket around or any local stores before you decide on the house. Walking up a 2 mile hill with shopping bags aint easy...especially in Aberystwyth!

Transport: Also keep in mind how far you have to walk in order to get to the transport locations. If your next to a bus route then that's great. It means you can spend an extra 5 minutes in bed instead of rushing for that late bus. If you have a car try and find a place with a safe car-park near by so you don't find you car with no wheels the next day.

House mates: Try and move in with people who you know because you could move in with any Tom, Dick and Harry and find out that they love bondage at 5 in the morning while playing with their electric guitar.

Many of my friends moved in with right git's and they never get a long. Also try and move in with people who have the same interests as you. If you like going out a lot don't move in with people who don't.

"DON'T move in with your partner or boy/girl friend. If the relationship goes down the pan your house may turn into lovers hell."

Next: How to spot dodgy student accommodation, part 2 >>