renting in or near Cardiff

christina_2

hi! My girlfriend is about to start a 4 year course at Cardiff Uni so we want to move there and rent a place. We are not city lovers but she would like an easy commute - neither of us really know the areas in or around cardiff some were after some tips - obviously we want somewhere nice in a nice location for not loads of money! As we see it as a temporary move, we don't want to spend loads on rent especially as she won't be earning. A one bed place would be fine. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Deleted User]

I use to flat-share near Cathays Terrace in Cardiff. Walking distance to the uni and big Tescos...

Maybe you could look at places on the Taff trail and cycle into Cardiff every day (best cycle path I've ever known)

aurora_borealis_2

Here you go.

This is two mins from the train station in a seaside town - with pier - and a huge country park.

Jorgan_2

How do you define an easy commute? Will she be using public transport or does she have access to a car?

Jonbvn

Hi,

I suggest you post this question on the local money saving board for Wales.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=87

The university should assist you with finding accommodation.
More info: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/ug/services/halls/index.html
A limited number of University bedsits and flats are available for first year students who are bringing their partner and or children. Demand for such accommodation always exceeds supply and you are strongly advised to secure suitable accommodation prior to your arrival in Cardiff. Such flats are let to students in their first year of study at Cardiff only.

Most students gravitate towards the Cathays area, which is right next to the Uni (working distance), which is very close to the city centre.

Might be worth considering a renting an flat in Cardiff Bay. There are 1000's for rent ATM.

Some more links:
http://www.accommodationforstudents.com/Cardiff.asp
http://www.unofficial-guides.com/guides/cardiff-accommodation.html
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Cardiff_Talybont

wriggly

Cathays and Roath have many places for let to students, typically converted Victorian terraces. I can recommend the Albany Road area of Roath, plenty of shops and cafes, and a comfortable walking distance to both the university and Roath Park.

For more modern flats, Cardiff Bay has plenty of action, but is further from the university.

dexters_mum_2

If you don't mind going further out, look at routes on the train line, such as Taffs Well, Treforest, Pontypridd etc but depending on which uni she is going to (UWIC, Cardiff or Uni Glamorgan Campus in town), Cathays is traditional student digs areas and plenty of student letting shops are about.

Public transport is fairly good in Cardiff but can be a bit pricey, so obviously the cheapest option is walking but on good bus routes, you have Roath (lovely area), Cathays (More studenty but great), areas of Gabalfa (through more likely to get private landlord there) and possibly Birchgrove and Heath areas.

Cardiff Bay is lovely but it is swampped with high rise blocks and can be pricey and if you don't drive, in some areas you may struggle to get into town.

If you'd like any more advice, just shout!

PasturesNew

Also be aware that if you are not a student and you move into a student house to share with others, you'll have to pay the WHOLE council tax (minus 25% single person discount) on a huge house. Places advertised as "students only" are listed as such partly to flag up the student lifestyle, but this is also an indicator that you'd cop for the whole council tax bill yourself.

Roughly speaking, a completely self-contained flat/flatlet should cost you £300-450.

As has been pointed out: there are a number of Universities here, so be aware of the postcode of the one she's meaning to be in.

Buses, by the way, are cheap compared to many places, at £3/day for an all day ticket. There are some boundaries to where that includes. And discounts for a weekly or monthly ticket.

PasturesNew

aurora_borealis wrote: »

Here you go.

This is two mins from the train station in a seaside town - with pier - and a huge country park.

Odd choice imho for the original spec. Is that one of yours?

aurora_borealis_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

Odd choice imho for the original spec. Is that one of yours?

No

I assumed the OP meant Cardiff Uni - I used to travel there from near this flat on a train.

20 mins and very easy.

Also Op stressed that they don't like city living

So. There.;)

PasturesNew

aurora_borealis wrote: »

No

I assumed the OP meant Cardiff Uni - I used to travel there from near this flat on a train.

20 mins and very easy.

Also Op stressed that they don't like city living

So. There.;)

Ah.

I guess it all depends on the other end. Where the trains land up. I went to Penarth expecting it to be great. Unfortunately first time I couldn't find the pier; second time I got lost (got off the bus too soon and walked down past Tesco then along a road, ended up at a dead end where some old mansions were boarded up) I then ended up walking along the "beach" in 4-inch heels not knowing how long it'd take me to get anywhere. By the time I got to the Pier (including clambering over some old concrete/smashed up/storm-damaged walkway) my feet were burning and I was finished. But I was at the Pier and thought "Is this IT??". So ended up walking up the hill and catching a bus home.

I'm not very good at public transport/knowing where I'm going or when to get off.


Cardiff isn't really "city" though is it. When I came here I expected something big and scarey, but it's all green and open and un-city-like.

Penarth's OK, but it'd be a pain if you were coming/going a number of times a day to keep getting to/from the train station.

So there. Haven't heard that for years

I don't know where the Uni bits are yet to be honest. Not been to most parts of Cardiff yet.