Secure student digs (St Andrews Gardens)

Member Name: sassypat456

Product:	St Andrews Gardens
Date:	10/11/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Central location, safe

Disadvantages: Ugly building, limited facilities

I had decided NOT to take up my place at university, until I was standing at the bus stop on a cold morning, suited and booted and on my way to my dull and boring nine-to-five job.

It was then that I had a sudden change of heart and a huge panic, as I realised that if I was going, I had to go immediately before I chickened out again, and before my place was alocated to some other eager wannabe student type.

Having procrastinated for weeks I had left it far to late to be offered a choice of accommodation and was, therefore, lucky to be allocated a last minute place at St Andrews Gardens.

Reserved for students of Liverpool John Moores University, the block is split into self contained flats of between two and six bedrooms each.
There is a launderette and limited parking on-site, but thats about it.

On first impressions the place looks a bit like a prison. Its a circular structure with access through a sturdy gate at the front. Its not a beautiful piece of architecture, but it is central, well maintained and very secure.

You need a fob to get in, and the building is monitored by security staff and CCTV cameras, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

I was placed in a two-bedroom apartment, with my own room and a shared kitchen and bathroom. The flat was tiny but sufficient, and my room was furnished with a sink unit, desk, bed, bedside locker and wardrobe.

With views towards Liverpool city centre, I soon realised that the location is the major selling point here.
St Andrews Gardens was just five minutes from both Lime Street Station and my campus, but more importantly also the same distance from the main shopping areas.
This proved to be invaluable for me, especially when dragging bags of shopping over from Lidl, or Tesco if I was feeling flush!

I cant remember exactly how much this accommodation set me back as my memory has faded in the six years since Ive left, but in the academic year 2009/10 a room will cost £65.00 to £69.00 per week, including basic possessions insurance, and all utility bills. There is a £250 deposit and broadband is extra.

In the end I stayed there for three years, as they very kindly let me leave my room with everything in it for the summer holidays, saving me the major headache of trying to ship all my stuff to my home overseas at the end of each academic year.

I loved living there but am glad its an experience sitting proudly in the past, since I appreciate my space these days and not having to share with anyone I didnt choose to live with!

Summary: A good choice