The Iglu Guide | Blog
The pros and cons of shared student accommodation
Heading to university and not sure where to live? Moving into shared student housing is usually considered a great option. Not only will you get a head start on making new friends, it makes good financial sense at a time when budgets are under strain. But it’s definitely not for everyone. Here’s what you need to know.
The pros of shared housing
Student community on tap
Much of your uni life is centred around who you spend time with, and your housemates will form a large part of that experience. Living and studying with a like-minded group is a chance to build up memories and experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. It’s a great way to meet new people without the hassle of always going out. Our built-in Iglu community gives you the best of both worlds – the space to be apart and the opportunity to come together.
Sharing the load
Even if you’re working as well as studying, student living can be expensive. Shared accommodation is a great way to offset that cost as you can split out rent, food and bills and keep your expenses down to a minimum. Don’t forget to share out the household chores as well.
Independent living
Living away from home is probably the first big decision you’ll make after deciding where to go to university. And while the idea of no parental control sounds pretty exciting, it can also feel a bit daunting. Living with other students is the ideal transition to full independence, and a more reassuring environment than living alone.
Location
Leaving the comfort and security of home can be a huge step, but there’s nothing quite so good as convenience living. Choose accommodation that minimises your travel time, and really make the most of exploring your new area. Iglu has a range of central city locations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that make this super easy.
The cons of shared housing
Student housemates
Sometimes, housemates don’t always go to plan. Whether that’s stealing your food, playing loud music or using the last of the loo roll, this is always a risk with shared accommodation. Set the rules up in advance – and remember, you don’t have to be best friends to share kitchen equipment and a conversation.
Reduced privacy
If you prefer your own space without the intrusion of others or you actively don’t want to meet new people, shared living is probably not for you. Unless you spend every minute in your bedroom, you will have to interact with others whenever you leave that space – and some housemates are better at observing privacy rules than others. At Iglu, we offer private rooms in shared apartments, providing the perfect combination of privacy when you need it and company when you don’t.
Shared facilities
This can be challenging in a student share house – particularly when the hot water runs out before you’ve even got into the shower. And if the household chores are falling a little unfairly, you might find yourself on bathroom duty more than you would like. Even a shared lease can be problematic if someone leaves and the contract is in your name. Sharing is not always caring.
Location
Unlike purpose-built student accommodation, most student rentals can be quite a distance from campus which means there are travel costs involved to get to uni. Be aware of your journey time before committing to a student share house. If the travel is going to impact your experience too much, it’s better to divert the budget and live closer to the action.
Image: Iglu South Yarra
