Commuting

[lhf9]

Hi,

I'm a first year who like many others did not get into halls for next year. I have quite a tight budget and most of the properties in St.Andrews are far too expensive even if they were easy to get. We applied as group of 6 and through quite a bit of luck it looks like the 5 other girls are quite sorted, which is great.

I've worked out living with my boyfriend in Edinburgh and commuting would be really cheap for me. Two of the girls I was going to live with next year have a spare bed (not got HMO liscense so I couldn't live there permanently) but I could stay over a lot and be able to go out. Plus be able to stay if I had an exam the next day etc. At the moment my lectures next year will be 11, 12 and 4, 3 days a week so it's not too hard to get in for. Plus because I'm Scottish I can claim back my travel expenses.

I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on this matter? Do you think it would it be really hard taking into consideration I'd be happy living with my boyfriend and would have a place to stay. I think it is likely I would find something later in the year but would not have the choice of a lot of people to live with and I am scared of being living with someone who is not a good housemate (happened this year in halls and I found it really difficult to cope with). Any advice would be much appreciated.

I also heard about a commuting society or something for people who commute to place. Is there such a place?

Thanks

[HarryP]

. Plus because I'm Scottish I can claim back my travel expenses.
Thanks

What?

[lhf9]

. Plus because I'm Scottish I can claim back my travel expenses.
Thanks

What?

I'm not sure if it is because I'm Scottish or on a lower income but I know I can claim back my travel expenses from SAAS.

[SchizophrenicCabbage]

And let's say you break up with your boyfriend half-way through a semester...

[lhf9]

And let's say you break up with your boyfriend half-way through a semester...

My mum also lives in Edinburgh with my brother and sister.

[orudge]

I believe SAAS will pay back a small amount of travel expenses, to cover "usual" trips home (summer, Christmas, etc). I don't know for sure, but I would be very doubtful that they would pay for you to travel in daily by train or whatever. Since you wouldn't be paying (as much) rent, surely that is what your student living costs budget is for?

Anyway, I would imagine your commute would be about 1-1.5 hours each way, by train or car at least. If you think you'll be able to cope with that, then go ahead, I guess. But also take into consideration that you will miss out on, or at least find it harder to attend, social activities outside of class - you're not going to be able to get back to Edinburgh after the bop, for instance!

Ultimately, it's up to you, but I wouldn't totally discount St Andrews yet - it is possible to find housing, although it may be more difficult. There are certainly flats and rooms available if you keep your eyes open.

[lhf9]

I have friends from edinburgh who get all their travel expenses back from SAAS. They get the train from the middle of Edinburgh to Queen Margaret University and get it all back. I know someone who just got £1400 back from SAAS. They give the same amount of student loan because I won't be living at home.

I've talked to my friends who have the house and we have agreed it would make sense for me to stay overnight at theirs on a Monday, so hopefully I'll only have to get four trains a week.

If I was to go to the bop I would stay at my friends house, same with loads of other parties and the whole of freshers week, but you are right it would make it a bit harder.

Yeah I am keeping my eyes open still and still applying for things, but thinking this might be an option. Thanks for you advice, very much appreciated.

[Thalia]

According to the SAAS website:

Maximum amounts
* A dependent student living in their parents' home - £790 (945-£155)
* A dependent student living in term-time accommodation - £450 plus three return journeys between their parents' home and their term-time address, less £155

I'm not sure why your friend got £1400, unless their term is longer than 30 weeks, but even independent students should only get £930. The £155 is because you have to pay the first £155 yourself and then they'll pay anything on top of that up to the maximum, depending on your circumstance. It's worked out based on them only paying £3 a day for travel. I'd seriously look at what SAAS says about it, and maybe talk to them about your circumstances, before you assume they'll pay all travel expenses.

[lhf9]

Thanks for that advice and I have actually already emailed someone at SAAS to check on it. I know quite a few friends who got more than £980 though and have similar money situations to me. But even if they were only to pay that much, commuting is still cheaper.