Living on-campus vs off-campus

Deciding where to live during my masters was one of the most confusing decisions I had to make while considering so many variables. It can be daunting to decide on an accommodation when you are an international student who does not know much about the living scenario. I decided to live on campus but have many friends living off campus and here is a guide to choosing the right accommodation for you needs.

• Commuting

When you live on campus, it is easier to get to lectures because every academic building is at a walkable distance from most on-campus accommodations. Living off-campus means travelling to university from where you live usually by bus. Most students who live off-campus live in one of these locations: Canley, Coventry, Leamington and Earlsdon. It is very easy to find buses on weekdays but it might require some time getting used to bus schedules.

• Facilities

On-campus facilities are excellent. The sports centre has a gym, squash courts, indoor swimming pool and other great facilities. There is a Rootes on campus for grocery shopping and other everyday essentials. The on-campus pubs are great and there are plenty of food trucks as well. There are various places for socializing outdoors. The library is near the central campus which is close to all accommodations. Similar facilities can be found at off-campus accommodations as well but it depends on where one decides to live and how accessible these facilities are. The campus accommodations and their kitchens get cleaned at least once a week and the washrooms are cleaned as well. This might not be the case for most off-campus accommodations. Many pubs and other great hang-out spots are closer to off-campus accommodations. There is a larger variety of pubs, restaurants, parks and gardens at a shorter distance when living off-campus.

• Rent

Some accommodations in Coventry, Canley and Earlsdon are considerably cheaper than those on-campus. Most accommodations in Leamington are either the same or more expensive than campus accommodations. With choosing a campus accommodation, the choice is broad when it comes to rent. There are both affordable and expensive options available depending on whether it is an en-suite accommodation or not.

• Travel

Travelling to places nearby is easier when living on an off-campus accommodation because Canley, Coventry and Leamington, all have train stations which have direct trains going to most places like Birmingham, London and Oxford. They also have direct buses to other places like Leamington has a direct bus to Stratford-upon-Avon. Moreover, War Memorial Park is at a walking distance from Earlsdon and so is Jephson Gardens from most accommodations in Leamington.

Thus, living in a campus accommodation or an off-campus accommodation both have their pros and cons but it is important to keep your needs in mind while deciding where to live and hopefully this blog would have helped some of you with that.

The most important thing is to make most of your time in either accommodations and to enjoy yourself.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this blog.

Bye 😊