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Deciding where you’re going to live in your second or third year of university is a big decision. Not only do you have to think about where you want to live but also who you want to live with. Do you already have a big crew that you can’t bear to be parted from, or after the mania of halls, are you looking forward to a more chilled living experience, with one or two of your besties?
The size of house you live in will undoubtedly flavour your overall university experience, so it’s important to choose wisely. With that in mind, we’ve put together a guide to help you decide whether a bigger or smaller house is right for you. And once you’ve made that decision, we’re here to help! We’ve got a great range of student apartments near the University of Leeds, whether you’re looking for 6-bedroom student homes in Leeds or properties for two.
Small Leeds student houses
Smaller houses, those with four bedrooms or less, are a great option if you’re looking for a more relaxed and potentially quieter living experience. As they’re smaller, they’re easier to clean and in theory, fewer housemates means more privacy and less demand on facilities.
Pros of small houses
If you prefer a quieter home life, you’ll probably find that anything from 2-bedroom student homes in Leeds to 4-bedroom student homes in Leeds will be the perfect solution for you. They’re generally less noisy and mean you’re more likely to find a few hours in the day when you’ll have some space and time to yourself.
Smaller houses also tend to foster a more cooperative environment than is possible with larger numbers. For example, you’ll probably find it easier to come to agreements about making noise early or late at night or who gets to watch their favourite TV shows and when.
Mealtimes can be easier in smaller homes as well. Three people sharing kitchen space at the same time is a lot less stressful than five, six or eight! You may also find that in a smaller house, you’re more likely to share cooking duties.
Finally, small houses are easier to keep clean and tidy, on the basis that there are fewer people to make a mess. Of course, this all depends on who you’re sharing with!
Cons of small houses
Your peace and quiet may come at a premium as 3-bedroom student homes in Leeds tend to be more expensive than larger properties. In addition, there are fewer people to split the cost of bills. Although here at Beyond Lettings, utilities and broadband are included in your rent, there will be other costs to consider, such as a TV licence or any streaming services you might want. These will obviously work out more expensive when split between three people, instead of say, six.
Even if you like the peace and quiet, you may find that you sometimes feel lonlier in a smaller house. In a larger group, there will always be someone to hang out with or talk to, but if there are only a few of you, you may crave company at times, especially when the others are out.
If you’re thinking that a smaller house might be the right size for you, we have a great range of properties on our books, from 2-bedroom student homes in Leeds to mid-size.
Big Leeds student houses
Do you like to be part of the action? Big student homes to rent in Leeds offer a lively living experience. They’re also generally a more cost-effective option.
Pros of big student houses
Bigger shared houses come with an inbuilt social life. From group trips to the pub to poker nights, there’s always something going on. If you’re watching the pennies, with so many people around, you’ve got a readymade party at home without even trying. And with a larger number of housemates you may find yourself introduced to different hobbies and interests that you hadn’t previously considered.
The rent on larger houses generally tends to be cheaper, plus there are more people to split the cost of things, whether it’s renting a film or streaming games.
There are also more people to share responsibilities with. When it comes to group chores like putting the bins out or cleaning the communal areas, you may find yourself on duty only a few times a month, rather than every week if you were living in a smaller house.
Cons of big student houses
While you may enjoy the general hustle and bustle of a larger house, the flipside is that it will be hard to find the personal space you may need from time to time. You also have to be very disciplined when it comes to studying. If you’ve got exams coming up, your housemates might not be on the same timetable as you, so you may find yourself distracted.
The more people you live with, the more compromises you will have to make. This is especially true when it comes to sharing resources, such as kitchen space and bathrooms. In a larger house with fewer bathrooms, there may be queues during peak times, so if you think this will bother you, you should consider a smaller house share. Likewise, come dinnertime, there won’t be enough space to all cook at once, so you’ll need to agree on a workable plan, such as a cooking rota.
And finally, there’s the mess! Eight people’s dirty dishes are considerably more than just three people’s. The larger the house, the more crucial it is for each housemate to clean up after themselves.
Here at Beyond Lettings, we have a great range of larger properties on our books, from 4-bedroom student homes in Leeds up to 8 bedrooms. Once you’ve decided on your housemates, head to our listings pages to find the place where you’ll be making many happy memories for the next year and beyond.