Exeter Halls (Halls Of Residence At The University Of Exeter)

Member Name: data

Product:	Halls Of Residence At The University Of Exeter
Date:	18/08/01 (2138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: close to campus, cheaper than marden, friendly

Disadvantages: may well share a room, ransom pickard is a bit prison-like looking, Kilmorie has few residents, might be good/bad

As has been mentioned in some of the other opinions, Exeter University has a variety of catered accommodation, mostly for the freshers, but a fair number of people choose to move back in during their third year. During my first year I lived in one of the Exeter Halls, Lopes. These halls are grouped close to campus, with the advantage of being close to the on campus nightclub (The Lemmy). A big plus point is the proximity to campus, it was a 7 minute jog in in the mornings for me to get to my building, with the added advantage of avoiding the killer hills you will encounter on the way in from Birks or Duryard (They don't call the hill up from birks Cardiac Hill for nothing).

For girls it is also alot easier in the evenings, as students walking across from the birks and duryard side have some poorly lit areas which i would worry about going through late at night. On a similar note unfortunately the Guild minibus, which used to take students to and from town and across campus for a pound is no longer running, which means alot more relying on the more pricey taxis, or on friends walking you home.

The Exeter Halls are not too far from town, about 20 minutes ish, although it feels like more, due to the inevitable steep exeter gradients! There is however a fairly close newsagent for late night snacks when you can't face the hall food, which was fairly poor when I was there, but I hear it has improved considerably since. What you lose in nutrition from living in halls, however, is more than compensated for by the opportunities to meet lots of first years, all desparate to make lots of friends in the first few days. Halls is probably the most intense and memorable time you can have at university, and Exeter strongly encourages all freshers to live in self-catered accomodation, which I would agree is a good idea.

Lopes has two blocks, the main wing, which is a large old building, with a real community spirit, due to the smaller size
than some of the other halls. There are 2 tv rooms, as well as a library (although the books are all antiques... it's more just for working in). One disadvantage is that most rooms are shared, which some found worked out well, although there is always the risk that you will not get on with your room mate, which did happen to some people. There is also the less aesthetically pleasing Ransom Pickard, which does not have quite the same advantages as main wing, with a lack of any communal areas except the laundry. tv facilities and meals are in main wing, but this is only a few metres away, so it doesn't matter that much. There was also less of a tendency for people to congregate in each others rooms, which makes it a bit easier to get some work done, if you feel the need! If you can't bear the thought of sharing, then unless you have a real (eg medical) reason, chances are the odds of getting a single room will be better for example in birks or duryard. However a room mate is a default friend for the first few days, which makes freshers week less scary, and many in my year got on really well. The rent is also less for shared rooms

Like all halls in exeter there are a number of formal dinners, with smart dress, and table service, with wine, and after dinner entertainment, which is fun. Also the LHK ball, which is considered by many to be the best of the hall balls. As for accomodation prices, with all things in Exeter, there is always the feeling that perhaps you are being charged a bit much for what you get, but best to check the prospectus, chances are it's gone up a bit since I was there.

In Exeter the halls all have quite varied atmospheres, so on open days have a look round to see which suits you, the chances are there will be a resident around who will be willing to give you a quick tour, and guides are available open days to show you around their hall. It seems that, of all those I asked, most thought their own hall w
as the best, and I guess I am no exception, I would recommend Lopes, but each hall does have its good and bad points.

Summary: