Shared apartments, spare rooms and roommates in Bristol

Did you know that Bristol is considered by many to be the happiest city in England? The quality of life in this city is very good and its education is also of a very good standard, having the well-known University of Bristol. For this reason, this city in the United Kingdom receives a large number of international and British students every year.

Of course, you have to know that the cost of living in Bristol is high. One of the best ways to save is to rent a room in a shared flat. Thus, the monthly rent and utility bills are divided among all the roommates, making it more affordable for everyone.

Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Bristol

These are some of the pros and cons of living in shared flats in this English city:

Advantages of sharing a flat in Bristol

• Shared flats are usually located in neighbourhoods that are convenient for students, like central Bristol, Clifton, Cotham and Redland.

• Some of the spare rooms in residences can be expensive because they are likely to be a small studio flat, with a small kitchen and bathroom, additionally, all utility bills are included.

• Thanks to saving on rent, you will be able to enjoy much more of all the leisure and entertainment options that Bristol has to offer.

Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Bristol

• If you are going to be in Bristol in the winter months, you have to reach an agreement with your roommates about the use of heating. Some people want to use it a lot and others prefer not to turn it on as much, especially if the cost is not included in the rental price.

• In many cases, utility bills are not included in the price, except for residences so you have to add an amount at the end of the month. Additionally, some floors may not have appliances such as a washer, dryer, and/or microwave.

Apps for your international exchange programme in Bristol

In the Apps for students, you can find a large amount of useful information for your stay in Bristol, corresponding to both the necessary paperwork and life in the city. For example, one fact that you can find is that there are a large number of bicycle lanes in the city, this makes using a bicycle to get around pretty easy. Get a second-hand one as soon as you arrive in the city to avoid spending money on public transport!

How to meet people in Bristol

These are some of the ways you have to meet people in this English city:

Student associations in Bristol

One of the associations you can join is the ESN Bristol, where you can meet other Erasmus with whom you will be part of events and activities together. In addition, you can take the opportunity to join one of the more than 300 university groups, such as those at the University of Bristol. You will find different fields, such as music, sports, religions, volunteering, art and other interests.

Facebook groups for international students in Bristol

Most of the Facebook groups that you will find belong to ESN Bristol and in them, you will be able to see the schedule of the events and activities that you can be a part of. For example, some of them are karaoke or language exchange nights, pub crawls, international dinners, ceramic painting, and walking tours of the city, among others.

WhatsApp groups for international students in Bristol

From the associations and Facebook groups, you will be able to access WhatsApp groups or other messaging services where you can get in touch with other international students.

Tips for living in a shared apartment in  Bristol

Some facts to keep in mind when living in shared flats in the English city:

• Coexistence is not usually easy, so we recommend that there be certain rules established from the beginning. This regarding, for example, cleaning, visiting conditions and the use of common spaces.

• If you happen to be in the city in August, you'll be able to enjoy the colourful Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Go out with your friends to the street and enjoy seeing hundreds of hot air balloons of all colours in the air! In addition, throughout the year you can enjoy many more festivals, such as the Bristol Harbor Festival (to honour maritime heritage), Grillstock (for music), Upfest (graffiti and urban art) or Love saves the day.

Frequently asked questions about sharing a flat in Bristol

Flat sharing in other Erasmus cities

Flatshare in Salford

Flatshare in Sunderland

Flatshare in Plymouth

Flatshare in Exeter