When's the best time to do this?

Geenie

smartpicture wrote: »

Thanks, I will definitely look into the availability of halls before I commit to anything. I was under the impression that halls were only available to 1st year students, but I might be getting mixed up, so I'll check that.

The problem is she hates living in halls - I admit she's probably lived a sheltered life up to now and it's good life experience for her to spend a year sharing with people who think it's okay to get drunk every night and throw up over other people's stuff, keep their ashtray full of butt-ends in the shared fridge, and think she's a freak because she owns a bottle of Kitchen Flash. I know that sounds snobby, and she needs to experience some of this and learn how to handle it so I've told her to stick at it for a year, but I don't want her to be miserable for three years, so I'm not sure halls is the answer.

Financially, I'm thinking a property is as good as anywhere to put my money at the minute, probably a bit of a gamble but what isn't nowadays?? I had money in Iceland, my pension & isas are worth half what they were, and I've come to the conclusion it's better to spend my money on something that improves my familys quality of life instead.

Hi Smartpicture

I have a daughter first year at Birmingham, and have been thinking along the same lines as you for her 2nd. She loves her accommodation at present on the campus, but as you say, they are expected to move out after the 1st year.

The property that is desirable tends to be near the Uni, and already let by long term LL's from what I have gathered, so not sure we could get anything within the area students want. I gather Birmingham prices are coming down rapidly so may have a chance, but a good knowledge of the area and reading up is essential, to avoid any pitfalls.

Find out about the local market and also talk to the University. We used to let to students here in Exeter some years ago, and found the housing department of the University very helpful in what students wanted and how far they would go out! We had 3rd years with cars who were prepared to go out in the country a few miles, for quiet to study in their final years!

Must confess that the mess outweighed the money in the end, and we stopped and let to long term families in the end.