[HDNG]IN COLLEGE:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Catered: 18% [BULL] Cost: ú63-75 (30wks) [BULL] Self-catering: 26% [BULL] Cost: ú39 (39wks)[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] It's almost exclusively 1st years who live in the modern catered [ITAL]rabbit hutch-like[EITAL] Pollock Halls of Residence which house 1,794 students in 10 halls, 1/2 mile from the city centre. The 1/2 of 1st years who can't get into Pollock are spread between student houses, which accommodate 9 to 77 students each, and the University-owned flats. Wherever they're housed, there's a chance that students will find themselves sharing. There is room for about 18% of students from other years, particularly in the flats, but also in Mylne's Court, a [ITAL]beautiful [EITAL]old building on Princes Street housing 230 students, mainly postgrads and 2nd years, but including a few 1st years sharing.[PARA][BOLD]Car parking:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Because so much of Edinburgh's residential housing is in tenements, there is a tremendous parking problem all round the city[EITAL]. For those who really think it necessary, limited permits are available, costing ú40 a year at Pollock Halls and up to ú100 elsewhere.[HDNG]EXTERNALLY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Ave rent: ú40[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] Living out presents as many options as living in. Most students opt to live in privately rented flats, some of which are [ITAL]very good value[EITAL], but some end up (for at least part of a year) in lodgings with a live-in landlord/lady who cooks and cleans. [ITAL]Often this is like a home from home, but students complain that rather than making them homesick, this arrangement more frequently makes them sick of home.[EITAL] Talking of home, many students are local and live with their parents and/or families. [ITAL]With all these options, most of the year it's not too difficult to find somewhere, until it comes to September when everybody else is looking, or August when landlords with any sense don't want to know because all their properties are on profitable short-term rents to Festival-goers. Students with nous can get a piece of this action themselves.[EITAL] The trick is to avoid the crush and start a rental period at the beginning of the summer and to ensure subletting's allowed. Then get some am dram group doing a Fringe show to pay ú50 per person per week, cramming in a cast of 20, during the Festival and suddenly student debt is a thing of the past. [ITAL]The best places to be are Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Newington, particularly studenty areas, close to the centre with high quality housing. [EITAL][PARA][PARA][STAT][BULL] Renting: 56%[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Housing help: [EBOLD]The 4 full time staff of the Allocations Office of the Accommodation Service, apart from allocating and managing University-run properties, keep a register of approved flats and lodgings, help negotiate contracts and provide general advice.[PARA][PARA]
