Living in a shared flat is the most chosen option by students since it allows you to save on rent. In addition, living with roommates will allow you to practise English all the time, making you improve much faster.
Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Portsmouth
In this section, we will tell you what are some pros and cons of living in shared flats in the English city:
Advantages of sharing a flat in Portsmouth
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You can take advantage of the savings in rent to explore more of the city and travel to nearby places like Southampton and Isle of Wight, for example.
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Some spare rooms are part of private flats and others are in student residences. The latter usually have more rules but can also include services such as laundry, study area, leisure area, garden, and even a place to store bicycles.
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Living with roommates will cheer you up on those grey days of typical English weather.
Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Portsmouth
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You will have to reach an agreement with your flatmates about the use of heating, especially if utility bills are not included in the rent.
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Coexistence is usually not easy at all, so we recommend that there be certain rules established from the beginning.
Apps for your international exchange in Portsmouth
In recent years, many apps have been developed to make the exchange process simpler. In these apps, you can access instructions on procedures to study in Portsmouth, as well as information about the university and tips on life in the city. For example, young people recommend awareness of the different discounts students have since they can be in transportation, shops, even bars and restaurants.
How to meet people in Portsmouth
In this section, we inform you about the simplest and most fun ways you have to meet people in the English city, in addition to sharing moments with your flatmates:
Student associations in Portsmouth
The institutions of this city have societies and clubs you can join. For example, the University of Portsmouth has the Students' Union, which in turn has more than 150 societies and clubs of the most diverse interests. Some of them are for different sports (like climbing, cycling, soccer, quidditch, taekwondo, and diving, among others), to different nationalities, religions, and many more.
Facebook groups for international students in Portsmouth
There are several groups on this social network that you can join, such as the one from the international office of the University of Portsmouth, which is called “University of Portsmouth - Global Community”. You will also find those of the different societies that you can join, in which you will be able to see all the activities and events that they organize.
WhatsApp groups for international students in Portsmouth
Generally, Facebook groups and societies have WhatsApp groups, Telegram and even Discord servers that you can join. Take the opportunity to introduce yourself, to join the plans or propose your own, whether it's going to a bar for a few pints or walking quietly along the seafront.
Tips for living in a shared student apartment in Portsmouth
The following are some tips to remember when sharing a flat in this English city:
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Some neighbourhoods most chosen by young people to live during their stay in Portsmouth are Southsea, Fratton and the city centre. If you want to be close to the sea, Southsea is ideal.
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If any of your roommates are originally from Portsmouth and you don't initially understand them when they speak, don't worry! The local accent is usually powerful, but you will surely get used to it quickly.