[HDNG]IN COLLEGE:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Catered: 11% [BULL] Cost: ú32 (31wks) [BULL] Self-catering: 66% [BULL] Cost: ú50 (31wks)[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD][ITAL] None of the accommodation blocks is too far from the campus[EITAL] - the Oakland Halls of Residence, being furthest at just over a mile away. 1st years are often placed here, where catering and cleaning is done by the University. There's a single dining hall [ITAL]serving quite decent food,[EITAL] a bar, a shop and a common room. All 1st years who apply in time are guaranteed accommodation, and if self-catering, there's a choice of blocks of rooms, blocks of flats, courts of blocks of flats or rooms and the large Student Village (1,288 places in terraced single sex houses on the old race course at Castle Irwell). This is where some of the Union's [ITAL]best [EITAL]facilities are based which makes it popular with 2nd years (20% of whom live in), 3rd years (except for those on placements) and finalists (of whom 90% live in). [ITAL]Living in, particularly in the student village, has many of the advantages of the independence of living out, without losing too much of pampered atmosphere and the community feeling of living in. [EITAL]2 new blocks providing a further 500 places are being built.[PARA][BOLD]Car parking:[EBOLD] Although a permit is needed, there's [ITAL]generally adequate[EITAL] free parking around the student accommodation.[HDNG]EXTERNALLY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A1[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Renting: 33% [BULL] Ave rent: ú35[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Finding suitable accommodation could be easier, but not much. Local housing is reasonably priced and the neighbourhoods are friendly and welcoming. Students who can't find anything closer than Eccles are not looking hard enough. Some of the other areas (such as Manchester postcode M7) have a high theft rate and so insurance is expensive.[EITAL] The University have 460 places in local houses where they act as landlord. These are organised by the Accommodation Office whose full time staff also help other students find housing with a vacancies board and newsletter.
