Shared accommodation can be a nightmare, it's an unavoidable certainty of student life, along with writing essays at 4am, hangovers, overdrafts and waking up with someone (or something) you would rather not discuss in public.
 Universities do try to squeeze as many first year students as possible into the safe confines of the Halls of Residence (no bills, annoying security and a house keeper to act as surrogate mother). Those less fortunate tend to be forced to live miles away, or as a lodger in a family home (how annoying? you go to college to get away from your parents, and they give you someone else's!). The fun comes a year later, when you try to find a place to live under your own steam... Where to live A cosy flat all to yourself is a nice idea, but very expensive. A bed-sit (bed, cooker, everything crammed into one room) or a studio flat (a bed-sit with a loo) is fine if you like everything you own smelling of yesterday's dinner, but these too can be a bit pricey. The only other choice left is a shared house, the cheapest and most popular option: you, lots of mates, all in one house, it's party-central twenty-four hours a day! (apart from the fights over bills, who vomited where and who's turn is it to clean out the skanky fridge). Communal living is a unique experience that will keep you in humorous anecdotes for the rest of your life (why else do you think Friends is so popular?). The tears, the laughter, the landlord threatening to evict you all for not paying your rent, (no sign of Rachael or Joey either, funnily enough). Who to live with If you do decide to pursue this option - and let's face it, you haven't got much choice - what you first need is good friends. But try not to live with everyone you know, as when you come to fall out over the phone bill, or whose turn it is to buy the bog roll, you'll need someone understanding to moan to. There is no ideal number, but four or five people for one house is average and fairly manageable. Getting your dream place Once you've banded together a motley selection of classmates, drinking partners and other buddies, discuss suitable areas to live in and how much you can afford. Houses vary in quality and affordability depending on their area. Accommodation near to campus may be convenient for buses, but may also be run down, so look around - local papers, college notice boards, newsagents windows, other friends and their landlords are all sources to mine. Visit the property in groups, and pay particular heed to our brief CHECKLISTS - hunting for a decent property is damn frustrating, and the temptation can be to simply agree to whatever is on offer. Local newsagents windows and evening papers (Thursday edition) are the best sources of accommodation outside the college. Do remember though that your college Accommodation Office will have a list of landlords and properties. In an emergency, your SU Welfare Officer can help you with local hostels and B&Bs and you may also be able to apply for a place in Halls mid-term if someone drops out. | 
