Staying in hotel instead of renting

Dimey

Its a good idea. I've known others to do it. You can negotiate a good discounted rate for long term booking all be it 3 days a week.

You may find a B&B will be more homely if that appeals to you. On the other hand a Travelodge/ Premier will be more anonymous if that appeals to you.

Its easy to keep your gear in the car. My friend got his B&B owner to store his stuff for him while he wasn't in residence. Just a cupboard of books and a few clothes.

suffolkb

I spent most of my 3rd year in a Travelodge. The £9 rooms were less than my 80 mile commute. It was even cheaper than living in halls as I didn`t have to pay rent over Christmas and Easter.

nathanrandomhero

I have a friend in a similar situation that did this, only in University at the beginning of the year then tutorials for the rest of it. As student accommodation is fairly expensive he found he saved a fair bit staying elsewhere temporarily, but as someone else mentioned not very homely.

As long as you have a fairly active social life I imagine it could work in your favour.

mountainofdebt

Am so glad I came across this thread !

Junior's just about to go into yr 2 but yr 3 will be spent abroad with him coming back to do yr 4.

He's in Uni about 90 mins away and we've talked tentitvely about him doing this in yr 4 ......definitely food for thought!

greenorange

Thanks for all the responses. I've looked into this much more over the last week or two and am going to go for it.

A friend has offered to put me up for 3 weeks to start with (their flat mate is away for 3 weeks, so have let me stay very cheaply), so I only need to find a B&B/hotel for 3/4 days a week for 5/6 weeks. I've spoken to a few B&B's and have managed to do a little haggling. Just waiting for my timetable to be released in August and I'll book something from the middle of October to end of November/first week of December.

It will work out a lot cheaper than renting an apartment/flat/room for 6 months minimum. I don't mind the traveling (gives me time to do some work/reading).

Parents still think I'm a little crazy, but I'm all for being a little 'all over the place' for a few months to save money.

The need to be in university after December is not a problem as I do not need to use the labs. I'm on a software engineering course, so everything is done from my laptop wherever I am. If I need books, my university has most of them online, and I have a local library near my parents in London.

May seem a little drawn out and longwinded, but I'd do pretty much anything I can not to deal with deposits, landlords, bills and all the rest just now.

robslost

I use Travelodge regularly, it can be inexpensive and perfect for business. I'm not sure about staying long term but in terms of an experience it may feel a little strange using a hotel as a home...?

greenorange

robslost wrote: »

I use Travelodge regularly, it can be inexpensive and perfect for business. I'm not sure about staying long term but in terms of an experience it may feel a little strange using a hotel as a home...?

It's really just somewhere to sleep for a few nights a week for 5/6 weeks. I'm sure others have done similar when working away. 5 weeks of an experience, if nothing else.

Noctu

Great - sounds like a fab idea. And certainly preferable to tying yourself into contracts with awful student landlords. Good for you for thinking out of the box.

hannerrbabes

This is a great idea and definitely something for me to think about myself. Let us know how you get on!

Jarbuhu

I think it's a great idea, especially if it is only for two months. I can't see renting a place for six months when you can just as easily stay at your parents during the days you go to class. If you can catch the train at the right time then you might get some good study time in.