University Accomodation Advice

[PG501]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody would advise me on postgraduate university accomodation? I've narrowed it down to the cheapest options: Albany Park (4 or 6 people), Stanley Smith and Angus House. I've looked at the pictures on the website but I don't really have much or a sense of the merits/downfalls of each, the quality of accomodation, the location merits, the personality/ 'feel' of the halls, etc. I'm on a tight budget and want to be somewhere friendly but not overly noisy in the evenings. I don't drive but from what I understand of St Andrews everywhere is within easy walking distance of city centre and supermarket? I'd appreciate any advice anybody could give, even if it was just a general first hand description of the places it'd be really helpful .

Thanks

[albanysucks]

I'm afraid i'm only an undergrad so can't advise on the others, but Albany Park is literally the worst place in the world, so I would avoid it at all costs

[Guest]

I'm undergrad too and haven't lived in any of the above-mentioned so my advice might be worthless. But - I live in Fifepark right now, which is similar to Albany, and I can tell you now that if you want quite you might struggle to get it. I hear the cheaper places are really bad for sound-proofing. I get woken up by my flatmates alarms in the morning, that's how bad it is. As long as you're with people who respect the need for quiet you'll be fine.

However, I would recommend Angus and Stanley Smith purely because they are brilliant location wise - dead centre but down a side street so you're two minutes walk to everything but not necessarily on a main street that will be loud all night - and because they are purely post grad, so you won't get any first years who just want to party too near to you.

Again, I've never been in any of these, but based on what I know about St Andrews in general, I hope this helps!

[PG501]

Hey,

Thanks so much for your replies. Poor Albany certainly seems to be getting a bad rep. I was leaning towards SS or Angus, but its nice to have an 'insiders' perspective. Thanks

[Thomas]

Albany is amazing and I know a good few postgrads living there this year who also love it. Clearly the best accommodation

[adrazahl]

One of my best friends lives in Stanley Smith. He shares his flat with three other flatmates. Each room is pretty small (single bed) and each flat has a large kitchen. To be completely honest, the building looks like Soviet-bloc housing and the inside is rather dark and rundown. Although it is in a prime location, as someone already mentioned.

Any reason why you are staying with University accommodation and not searching for a private flat?

[lyncFetty]

контеерные перевозки грузов

[Stretch76]

Stanley Smith is very small and like the other person said, it does look like a Soviet block house. The best thing for any postgrad is to share a flat. Despite the fact that you'd have to pay bills (electric/internet/phone) you would have some peace and quiet and you could get something closer to town. See my post below, I need a flatmate from Sept-May.

http://www.thesinner.net/mb/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=36703

[PG501]

Any reason why you are staying with University accommodation and not searching for a private flat?

it seemed cheaper in the long run, and with uni accomodation I can pay monthly.

Thanks for all the feedback, still so very confused!

[advice]

[quote="PG501"]Hi,

I was wondering if anybody would advise me on postgraduate university accomodation?

Places are only as good as you and your roomines make it,

Albany, Fife parks, Stanly Smith and Angus house are basic, thats why they are cheap, They are all fully cleaned every summer by a team of students. So if they are dirty its the student roomies that dirty them.

If you consider private you can find rooms outwith the town centre at around £350 a month, sometimes less if you are lucky
WARNING Do NOT pay much more than this outwith the centre, its not worth it. There are still places at £300-£320 if you are lucky