self catered flats @ Sheffield Uni (Accommodation in general)

Name: los penguinos

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Product:	Accommodation in general
Date:	12/02/05 (1682 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Close to everything, Clean and comfortable, Opportunities to make loads of mates!

Disadvantages: Would be nice if there was a living room..? But i'm nit-picking.

Ok.. I have to say, I am spending my first year at Uni of Sheffield living in self catered flats - Broad Lane Court to be precise - and I am struggling to pick fault with them. Granted, they are not at the height of luxury, but i think if you are living in halls you have to expect quite basic living conditions. However, although the walls and stuff may seem a little sparse at first, its nothing a few posters and photos won't sort out.
The rooms are mostly identical, fairly spacious, 6 rooms in each flat, one of which is slightly larger and en suite. You will have to pay more for the privilege though, and it really isn't worth it to be honest. My flatmate who occupies the en suite room wishes she could pay less and just share. The communal bathrooms are similar to those you would find in a youth hostel or something - basic (there's that word again!) but clean - the main thing. Two showers, two loos. You get a washbasin in your room so you can do your teeth and stuff there!
The only feature that would make our flat complete would be some sort of a living room thing; its what i miss most! However, we do have a massive kitchen/diner thing, so we have improvised by putting all the armchairs from our rooms down one end of it to create a make-shift living room. It does the job!
Broad Lane Court (and Mappin Court too) are excellently situated. If you are one of the lucky few who manages to get a place here then you have everything close by. West St, which includes loads of shops, bars and take-aways plus the all-important Tesco Express (the staff will actually feel like members of your family after a year here), are about 2 mins walk away. Plus you are just over the roundabout from the main Uni campus, where as an English student, most of my lectures are. Although, as a tiny drawback, its close proximity can make you feel extra-guilty for missing lectures! :)
I should probably mention one little thing that may put you off living around here, and that is the fact that this area at night is actually on the outskirts of the red-light district of Sheffield. However, before the alarm bells start ringing, it doesnt make much of an impact on the area. For one, you will only ever see the odd prostitute (!) hanging about very late at night (eg, 3/4am) and there is never any trouble round here. It stills sounds dodgy but i promise, no-one has even noticed it really (apart from the occasional drunken walk home, etc). Just make sure that, as with any big city, you dont walk home alone at night (especially the girls!).
Okay... what else. I've mentioned that its a short walk from West St, which is great for bits and bobs, and also Division St, which is full of studenty shops and stuff (Forum is good)but its also only about ten mins walk from the city centre itself. If you're really lazy, you can hop on the tram at West St and get off at either Cathedral or Castle Square for the city centre shops etc, but i recommend the short walk instead.
All in all, i would say that Uni accommodation - particularly Broad Lane Court (or 'BLC' as its affectionately known round our block) - is 100% worth applying for in your first year. Last year i went to a different Uni down south and was placed straight into private sector accommodation (a house in a residential area) with a four strangers. Having that experience - which wasn't a good one - has made me appreciate all the more being able to move Uni's and try halls. So glad i moved; much better!! Sounds dead cheesy but i have had the best year ever, and i reckon i've made some of the best friends i'll ever have. It's great that there's always someone around to have a chat with, or watch tv with, or traipse up the Union with for a couple of pints. Like living in a big mad boarding school or dormitory or something! So as soon as that little 'Home from Home' brochure hits your doormat, apply for BLC!!! And don't delay cos its the most popular residence! x

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