I'm a Chinese student and have lived here for a year. I truly love this place, one word to describe is PEACEFUL!.= My friends live in different student accommodations nearby, and after comparing experiences, I honestly believe choosing this place was the best decision I made.
Value for Money
Because the building is quite new, it has many advantages that older ones don’t. The soundproofing is amazing—I can play music or have phone calls in my room without bothering my flatmates at all. The mattress was completely new when I moved in, and the room showed barely any signs of previous use. I stayed on a higher floor, and it was never too hot in summer or too cold in winter. I could see the sunrise from my window—it was stunning. Downstairs was a private garden, always quiet. The shared kitchen was huge and always kept clean. Everything—from chairs to kitchen equipment—looked and felt brand new. Considering all of this, I really feel that the rent was worth it.
Location
I’m a postgraduate student, and my department was only a 2 minute walk away! The library and my building were just 5 minutes away on foot. For daily life, there’s a Chinese supermarket downstairs, and local supermarkets are also nearby. For fun, the flat is just below West Street, which is filled with bars—but it’s quiet and safe. After a night out, I could walk home quickly and confidently.
Property Management
There’s a lovely Chinese-speaking lady at the front desk, which made me feel especially welcomed as an international student. The staff are all kind and helpful. There were often free snacks at reception, and they regularly organized food events—all delicious! On Valentine’s Day, they even handed out candies and chocolates. One time, they arranged a free coach trip to York!
Maintenance service was fast and friendly—everything was fixed by the next day. The technicians were not only efficient but also incredibly warm. I still remember their bright, sunny smiles and how kindly they treated everyone.
Cleaning
The building is kept very clean. The gym, games room, and study room were always tidy and fresh. I never had to worry about dirty shared spaces during my stay.
Social Spaces
Gym:
Very new sports equipment, very clean, never had any odor. Also very large, completely saved the cost of going to the gym.（very few people here!
Games Room:
bright, clean, and spacious. I loved that I could invite friends over to play ping pong or pool—it made making new friends so much easier. Sometimes there were group movie nights too, which really gave the place a sense of community.
Study Room:
the biggest I’ve seen among all student accommodations. The air is fresh, the temperature is perfect all year round, and it’s not crowded at all. There are quiet zones with sofas and power outlets. I used to stay there late at night, sometimes writing essays until 3 or 4am—it felt safe and calm, even at that hour.
Top-Floor Lounge:
The view was breathtaking—you could see both sunrise and sunset. One night, I even saw the Northern Lights from there. In summer, I’d go up to sunbathe in peace. During Chinese New Year, I invited friends to have a reunion dinner there. We opened champagne on the balcony, used the shared iPad to watch the gala, and video-called our families. My parents were so happy to see we were doing well abroad—it felt so warm and meaningful.
Social Experience
I became really good friends with my flatmates—we came from different countries, and that meant a lot to me. The accommodation also regularly hosted different kinds of events that helped bring people together.
Internet / Wifi
The internet was fast and stable—never cut off once. It was way better than my previous student accommodation!
Living here has made me feel so happy and cared for. I’m really sad to leave—this one-year master’s program passed too quickly, and this place holds so many beautiful memories for me. 💛
