On-campus Hall providing the basics for a low price (Bradford Hall and University Hall)

Member Name: BumpyBump

Product:	Bradford Hall and University Hall
Date:	22/09/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good socialising

Disadvantages: Poor security

I lived in University Hall a few years ago. I chose the accommodation because it was the cheapest available. It's really, really basic, but does have everything you need really. There is one kitchen on each floor and they are really large as they are supposed to cater for 32 residents each. The kitchens act as the social area for the floor and that is where I made most of my friends.

The kitchen divides up the floor and on one side they allocate men and on the other they allocate women (apart from the ground floor which they will only put men in for some reason). The rooms are clustered together and each cluster has two wash basins. Most of the clusters are of 4 rooms, but I think there are two clusters on each floor which have only 2 rooms so you do well if you get one of those. There are two shower cubicles, three toilet and a bath on each side of the floor, and one side had laundry facilities while the other side has a drying room. The showers and toilets are basically like public toilets so do not expect luxury of any kind while you're living there. I never thought I'd get used to it, but I quickly did.

The beds are terrible - a wooden frame with a piece of foam pretending to be a mattress - and it's not even a full single size. Large wardrobes though, which is good. Exposed brick walls as well, which make the room feel a bit like a cell rather than a bedroom.

One big plus-point is that the Hall was roasting hot all through the winter as I don't think the heating ever went off. It was weird as it meant that everyone was walking round in t-shirts in February, but then had to load up with layers as soon as they went outside.

The security is really, really poor. Do not expect to leave food, drink or anything in the kitchen area without someone stealing it. The cupboards are all lockable if you take your own padlock and I would strongly suggest that you do so and use it. No end of stuff went missing while I was living there (not my own, I might add) including toasters, milk, frozen food and kettles. I would also strongly suggest that you lock your bedroom door every time you leave it, even if you are only popping to the toilet. A friend of mine left hers unlocked and in the space of 5 minutes someone had nipped into her room and stolen her mobile phone.

Access to the bedrooms is by key, and access to the Hall itself is by swipe card. If you go out without your swipe card or bedroom key then you can just pop into the library right opposite the Hall and ask security to let you in. They're usually quite obliging, but they will ask to see ID once you're in your room. Fair enough, really!

Summary: This Hall is fine if you are prepared to live in a very basic Hall in order to save some money