De Montfort or Docklands? (De Montfort University in general)

Member Name: napsterloveruk

Product:	De Montfort University in general
Date:	07/03/04 (453 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Spacious, clean accomodation, Very close to Campus, no travelling required, No hidden extras to pay

Disadvantages: Expensive compared to private accommodation

De Montfort University seems to have aquired a rather unfair reupation, probably because of it?s ?ex-poly? status. However, with regard to student accommodation, this university really does excel. I have been at De Montfort for a year, living in Gosling Court halls of residence, a stone?s throw from the new union building. These are some of the cheapest, and supposedly the most basic halls. The term ?basic?, however, means bright, airy and clean surroundings, double glazed windows, modern matching furniture, well-sized bedrooms, 24 hour security, contract cleaners, caretakers and more ? in general, an extremely pleasant place to live.

This year we have seen half a dozen more halls spring up in the wake of some older ones being demolished, and these new buildings really are nothing short of luxury living. They are all situated within 5 minutes of the campus centre, and offer Sky TV, Broadband internet, en-suite rooms, entertainment areas with pool tables, landscaped courtyard areas, and security. Moreover, none seem to have the gloomy seventies feel about them that many other university halls are infamous for.

Some will complain that halls of residence here are expensive, but considering Leicester?s position as one of the top-ten largest cities in the country, the prices are minimal compared to what one would pay even on the outskirts of London, where on top of rent you have to pay underground/bus fares every day.

The reason De Montfort offers such a high standard of accommodation is because very few of the halls are university owned, or managed. Individual property companies (some nationwide, some local) have really invested in the areas to the west of the city where the decline in the hosiery and similar trades had left empty buildings and prime development space, and certainly me and many of my friends are not doing the traditional thing and moving out of ?halls? next year - simply because the ones we?re in are of such a high standard.
Moreover, the word ?halls? doesn?t really do the buildings here justice ? we are flats with a few sharing a large kitchen and two big bathrooms - these are more like self catered flats than halls.

Whatever reason you have chosen De Montfort University for, where you be living will not be something you have to worry about. Recommended halls are Newarke Point (expensive but extremely comfortable, en-suite, brand new and with views over the canal) Liberty Park (common room with Sky & Plasma TVs, large decked courtyard area, en-suite) and Kingfisher Court (right next to the union, en-suite, inexpensive and secure) and Victoria Halls (Perfect for those concerned about security ? totally self-contained halls with electronic keyfob locks, en-suite rooms and broadband access).

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