The 10 most common mistakes when looking for university accommodation

Starting university in another city is a stage that involves many changes. You have to prepare for classes, meet new classmates, adapt to a new routine and decide where you will live during the academic year.

Looking for a university residence may seem simple, but when you start comparing different options, many questions may arise.
In this blog, we will tell you about the 10 mistakes when looking for university accommodation and how you can avoid them without spending too much time comparing.

It is important to know what you are looking for and what you need before looking for accommodation. Every student has different priorities, and what is important to one person may not be important to another.

Therefore, before choosing accommodation, you can think about the following aspects:

• The distance to the university.
• The available budget.
• The type of room you are looking for.
• The services you need.
• Common areas.
• Transport connections.
• The living environment.
• The length of the stay.

Having your priorities clear will help you better compare the different options and avoid making the wrong decisions.

One of the most common mistakes is waiting until the last few weeks before the academic year starts to look for accommodation. During the months before classes begin, many students start looking for a place to live and some options may already be occupied.

Starting your search early allows you to compare different accommodation options, ask any questions you may have and choose more calmly.

Price is one of the most important factors when looking for accommodation, but it should not be the only one.

An option may seem cheaper at first, but you may later find additional expenses or services that are not included. Before choosing accommodation, check what the price actually includes and whether there are any other additional expenses.

Some aspects to check are:

• Utilities.
• Internet.
• Cleaning.
• Laundry.
• Deposit.
• Additional services.
• Management fees.

This way, you will have a better idea of how much you will spend during the academic year.

Finding a nice room at a good price may seem like a good option, but if it is too far from your university, it can make your day-to-day life much more difficult.

Keep in mind that during the academic year you will have to commute practically every day. That is why location is one of the most important aspects when looking for university accommodation.

Before booking, you can check:

• How long it takes you to get to the university.
• What public transport is available nearby.
• Whether there are supermarkets and shops around.
• Whether there are areas for exercising or walking.
• What the connections with other areas of the city are like.

At Unihabit, you will find student residences in Barcelona, Sant Cugat, Girona and Manresa, so you can find the option that best fits your university and your routine.

Another mistake is thinking only about what the accommodation is like and not about what it will be like to live there throughout the academic year.

Before making your decision, think about the things you normally do. Do you need a quiet space to study? Do you like cooking? Do you want to exercise? Would you rather have common areas where you can meet other students?

All these little things can end up being very important.

Therefore, try to imagine what a normal day living there would be like and check whether the accommodation suits your needs.

When you find a residence or flat that you like, it is easy to want to book it quickly. However, comparing different alternatives can help you make a much better decision.

Not all university residences offer the same services, facilities or room types.

You can make a small table comparing different aspects such as:

• Price.
• Location.
• Rooms.
• Services.
• Common areas.
• Transport.

This way, you will have a clearer view of which option suits you best.

Services can make a big difference to your experience during the academic year. Therefore, when looking for a university residence, do not focus only on the room. Also look at everything you will find throughout the accommodation.

At Unihabit residences, depending on the residence, you can find study rooms, fully equipped kitchens, gyms, common areas and outdoor spaces, designed so that students can study, relax and enjoy their free time.

Another fairly common mistake is booking without properly reading the conditions of the stay.

Before confirming your accommodation, it is important to consider and check:

• The contract duration.
• The deposit.
• The cancellation conditions or what happens if you need to make any changes.

It may seem like a small detail, but knowing these conditions before booking helps avoid problems later on.

When looking for university accommodation, you also have to think about how you want to live during the academic year.

If you choose a university residence, you will share some areas with other students and have the opportunity to meet people who are going through a similar experience to yours.

In addition, taking part in activities or using the common areas can help you adapt more easily to the new city.

Photographs can help you get to know a residence before visiting it, but they should not be the only reason to choose it. An image can show you what a room or common area looks like, but it does not always allow you to discover other important aspects of the accommodation.

Therefore, in addition to looking at the photographs, check the information about:

• Location.
• Services.
• Facilities.
• Room types.
• Conditions of the stay.
• Common areas.

The more information you have, the easier it will be to know whether it is really the accommodation you are looking for.

Perhaps one of the most important mistakes is choosing while thinking only about the first few weeks.

Your accommodation will be your home for many months, so you have to think about how you will feel there throughout the academic year.

Ask yourself what you need to feel comfortable, study, relax and enjoy your university experience.

You can make a list of your priorities:

• Having good connections to the university.
• Having a suitable space to study.
• Having areas where you can relax.
• Having services that make everyday life easier.
• Being in a pleasant environment.
• Having spaces to socialise.
• Feeling comfortable in your room.

There is no perfect accommodation for everyone. The important thing is to find the one that best suits your needs.

Before booking, you should compare different options, carefully review the conditions and think about what your day-to-day life will be like.

At Unihabit, you will find our student residences in Barcelona, Sant Cugat, Girona and Manresa, with spaces and services designed to support you throughout your university experience.

Discover Unihabit residences and find the accommodation that best suits you.

The price depends on factors such as the city, room type, length of stay and services included.

Therefore, before comparing prices, it is important to check what each residence includes and whether there are any additional expenses.

Documents may vary depending on each residence. They may normally request personal details, identification documents and information related to your studies.

Before making the booking, it is advisable to check what documentation you need to prepare.

In some cases, it is possible to visit the residence or request more information before booking.

If you have the opportunity, it can be a good way to get to know the facilities, rooms and common areas before making a decision.