If you live in South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, or Nottinghamshire. and are thinking of applying to Sheffield University or Sheffield Hallam University, chances are you’ve thought about commuting to Sheffield rather than moving? Living at home and studying in Sheffield has both its advantages and disadvantages. With more than just financial impacts on student budgets. Here we take a look at the pros and cons of commuting to Sheffield University.
Pros of commuting to a Sheffield university
Living within a radius of up to 45 miles from Sheffield, you could reasonably expect to be able to commute with around an hour’s travel time. Whether driving using the motorways or the midland mainline train network. When it’s thought of like this it seems obvious that for up to 2 hours of travel a day you could potentially save a year’s worth of rent.
Not only by living at home could you save on rental costs but other bills such as utilities, food, and other household running costs. Even if your parents ask you to contribute towards the house financially it most probably would work out cheaper than having to pay towards the cost of flat rental or house sharing.
Home comforts
If you enjoy living at home enjoy the home comforts and get on and/or are close to the family members you live with. stopping in your current household situation could be worthwhile. WHY?
Health
No question about it but eating home-cooked meals will definitely be better for your health, Less processed and convenience foods that you get from home cooking are definitely better for your health and mind, Living at home will mean you don’t have to try and find new healthcare providers such as GP’s Dentists, etc. Chances are most students don’t even register until they need them. Having this healthcare infrastructure is already in place means you can take care of yourself better medically.
No Stress of moving
Moving is reportedly one of the most stressful things you can do. Staying at home means you don’t have to put yourself through this process. Also, no endless hours debating what to take with you when you move. Moving around between addresses can also have an effect on your credit rating. Showing that you are not capable of staying in one address for a long period of time.
No loud messy flatmates – unless it’s your parents
you may have a preconception that a student house would be a dump with loud music and parties 24/7 unless this is your idea of heaven, chances are you won’t find this at home. Living at home means you’ve most likely had plenty of time to adjust to your existing parental housemates. there won’t be any tiptoeing around them to work out if you like them or not. Hopefully, you would know by now.
Cons of commuting to a Sheffield university
The costs
Commuting may seem to be financially viable, but have a think about the full cost of travel, the closer to Sheffield you are the lower the cost of commuting. But if for example, you live out in a village in south Yorkshire and don’t drive. The cost of 2 bus journeys and 2 train journeys per day over 5 days could be anywhere between £50-£90 per week. In terms of time costs, this could lead to anywhere up to 10 hours a week in time spent traveling if your commute was 1 hour both ways.
What to do if there are delays, road closures, and service interruptions? These do happen and public transport doesn’t run all night. Missing the last train or bus can be costly. You may be lucky enough to stop with a friend in Sheffield, otherwise, hotel last-minute hotel costs aren’t cheap and could add up to a week’s rent. And a 10 mile trip in a hackney taxi can cost up to £40
Not being able to roll out of bed.
Student Accommodation is near to the universities, In fact, you can probably walk to your first lectures in the morning within 10 minutes from most places. Commuting into Sheffield from further away will probably need precise planning and route checking for a long journey. Plus theirs no just popping back home for something you forgot!
Harder to integrate with other students.
We’re not saying you won’t make new friends or get to meet lots of new people. It’s just that spending most of your time commuting means you won’t be using getting to know others as well from sharing living in residence halls or housing. While others in your peer group may be off to do other activities, you may have to be thinking at the end of the day about traveling back home. Weekend clubs and other social groups will be harder to join as it can add an extra day spent away from home traveling. All in all, unless you’re not really interested in the social aspect and only looking for your qualification. Commuting to University is fine, otherwise, your missing out on the “university experiance”
Fewer Freedoms and Independence
This may or may not be true depending on your circumstances and family relationships but chances are living with your family does have some restrictions. House rules, how much housework, who is allowed over, are potentially just some of the restrictions of living at home whilst at university. Many parents will also still potentially treat you with some subconscious undertones of you still being a child.
Your decision
In the end, you have to weigh up both sides of the argument but it’s down to you (and your parents.) While living at home may be financially viable or better, It comes at the expense of traveling time and costs and potentially missing out on having a student experience. How far away from Sheffield you are will have a big impact on it and may end up quite surprised how much it can cost to commute from some of the surrounding towns and cities.
If you’re looking to move to Sheffield to study we provide a fantastic range of affordable accommodation many with bills included options to help keep your budgets under control. All our properties are within close proximity of Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam city centre campus.
About Thornsett Properties
Thornsett Properties have been supporting students from South Yorkshire and Surrounding areas studying in Sheffield. with Student accommodation since 1985. We supply accommodation to over 650 undergraduates and postgraduate students studying at Sheffield University and Sheffield Hallam University every year. Designed to fit with your budget whilst looking for student accommodation. Thornsett Properties are property owners and not agents, meaning all our properties are managed by ourselves and not reliant on third parties. Our aim is to help you succeed in our student accommodation in Sheffield
