Options for Student accommodation are very much the same across the country.
-
University or College Halls of residence: Convenient and generally near or on campus with all facilities close or on hand, probably a good choice for the first year unfamiliar with the area and stepping out into a new world.
-
Rentals and lets: These can be in many and varied forms and you are on your own choosing a property that suits you at a rate you can afford. Do not forget safety considerations and do read the contracts.
-
Rooms in private houses: Again can be very variable and you have to chose carefully, at one end you become part of the family with everything short of a bedtime story laid on, at the other you are ignored completely to get on with your life. Something in the middle is probably desirable, but the right place can be excellent for foreign language students - you get plenty of opportunity to practice your English.
Halls of Residence
While there are no halls of residence actually in Fitzhugh there are several belonging to the University of Southampton in Archers Road, the grounds bordering the gardens of Fitzhugh dwellings.
Hall accommodation is well worth considering in your first year when you are a stranger to the area, but not always the most economical choice. It can also get a bit excitable at certain times of year not to mention stressed around exam periods. The on-site car parking that usually comes with the halls can be a bonus in this area.
Student Rentals and Lets
There is an abundance of Student Houses and Student Housing available for rent in the Fitzhugh area. mostly in the form of Shared houses. Some will have rooms large enough for room mates to share, but most will be smaller than that. Local Estate agents are usually helpful, Cryers in Bedford Place take a particular interest. Other than that walk the streets and look for the advertisements.
If you get the chance try and talk to the current occupants, to get some idea of what the place is like and take any advice available from the University / College accommodation office, who should at least have a list of properties to be avoided.
Browsing this website should also cover some basic things like local Parking arrangements etc..
Most houses in the area will have gardens for barbeques etc. in the Summer, but please give the neighbours chance to get their washing in first . ...... Especially before the smoky bit at the beginning!
Requests for Rental Accommodation ( outside the University Halls )

Private Rooms
If you are going for a room in a private house, try and get a reference first, or follow the recommendations of the College Accommodation Officer, who may be able to help find a place suited to your needs. Frequent requests do go out for people to host foreign language students particularly, who find themselves as "strangers in a strange land" and can use a bit of extra support to come to terms with the situation.
The Alternatives
For those daft enough to consider an "Alternative " lifestyle - If you are going to do it, do it as a student or wait until you retire .
I
suppose camping out in the New Forest might be an option, or a boat on the
Hamble, but do seriously consider what you are doing first.


Camping out on Southampton Common will probably get you Mugged, arrested or maybe both , boats and tree houses can have their drawbacks too.