Student Accomodation in Belfast

wirm

Alright folks here's the problem. I'm going to BIFHE and I need somewhere to live.....

Firstly I don't know Belfast so I don't even know the best area I should be in.... I was told around the Lisburn road but I don't even know how far away that is....


Secondly where do I go to get a house....

BTW I'm looking a house with at least 3 bedrooms as I'm staying wit me mates....

I'd be sooooo greatful for any help you can give me!

arkonite_babe

Lisburn Road?????????? Cost you an arm and a leg that will!!!!!!

Seriously though, I know Belfast, but not the student type areas or where would suit. Anyone else able to help wirm out??

master_blaster_2

wirm send me a pm
which campus r u goimg to be at ... do you know i have a place to rent at the min ( im showing it tonight to someone)
if i know where exactly u r going to be i could tell you if its handy for there

wirm

I think I'm in College Square Building.

lady_lucan

Wirm, Donegall Road/The Village (behind City Hospital) is as handy as Lisburn Road but much cheaper - it's scruffier but plenty of nurses and students stay there with no probs. A lot of the houses round there are 2 bed tho so you'll need to check carefully. Rent for *whole house* should be absolutely no more than 70 quid a week. Another bet would be the Holy lands, south of Botanic station, classic student area. Would probably be around 60 quid a week for a room round here (as opposed to 90/100 on Lisburn Road). If you're feeling brave, you could go North Central, around Crumlin/Antrim roads - it's far more residential than studenty, and is 'finely poised' re: the divide, but you can get a 3 bed flat here for around 70 quid a week, and the buses/basic shopping are excellent. It's handy for College Square and the Art School, and you can stagger back from the Front Page Bar. Really, student housing in Belfast is all about the money/security divide - if you want to be upmarket/twee you pays your price, otherwise brave out silly prejudices and grab a bargain. In any case, things have calmed down *a lot* and more students moving into the older central areas will only do Belfast good. For me, that's what the new Belfast should be all about - people overcoming prejudice and getting on with their lives. Who wants to pay a mercenary Lisburn Road landlord a heap of money because of fear anyway? Let me know how you get on, good luck, L.

wirm

I think I should phone round all the estate agents I can on Monday morning and see what they have?

Or should I go down to Belfast on Monday?!

lady_lucan

Both! And look up the Belfast Telegraph's classifieds online over the weekend. Also, visit Queens' accomodation office - they can point you in the right direction. Just be careful, cos landlords who advertise there bump up their prices a bit.

master_blaster_2

wirm uv got a pm

wirm

master_blaster wrote:

wirm uv got a pm

replied!

wirm

Anyone heard of or can provide some light on 'SHAC Housing Assoication'?

I've been told to try them but I don't know anything about them apart from whats on their website which to be honest isn't much....

nadnad

wouldn't bother with SHAC - not much use. I was at queens 4 years ago and so know the areas pretty well - I wouldn't rule out Lisburn road altogether - thats were I lived for three years and loved it - so handy to everything and at the time it was no more expensive than holylands. My boyfriend now husband lived in the village - and I never really felt comfortable there - heard some scary stories!, also you definitely don't wanna live there unless you are of "like" mind to the resident population. A couple of my mates still rent on the Lisburn road and some in holylands - they're all paying the same amount roughly - you just have to ring about. Belfast telegraph is best, also if you take a dander about the areas you fancy - say Lisburn Road, Stranmillis, Holylands wherever take a look in the newsagents windows - they always have adverts.

Good luck with everything and don't take the first one you see - look about first and make sure you're getting the best for your money.