[HDNG]IN COLLEGE:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Catered: 59% [BULL] Cost: ú63.66(27wks) [BULL] Self-catering: [PARA]4.5% [BULL] Cost: ú37(52wks)[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] Almost all 1st years live in, 5% having to share[ITAL].[EITAL] The [PARA]2nd years and finalists who live in don't often have to share, but [PARA]demand is much too high and most are 'balloted out' (don't get a [PARA]place in college). Limited provision for couples. Except St Mary's[PARA]which is all-female, all accommodation is fully mixed. [ITAL][PARA]Spectacular views can be seen through many a window and [PARA]rooms in peninsula colleges and at Hild/Bede often have a lot of [PARA]character. As the University increases towards 7,500, a return to[PARA]Durham's tradition of housing most students is unlikely.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Catering: [EBOLD]Living in means having to suffer or enjoy the variable [PARA]standards of mass-catering ([ITAL]University College is the worst, [PARA]Collingwood the best[EITAL]). Except for the self-catering places [PARA](post-grads only), the shared kitchens are only just adequate for [PARA]tea and toast.[PARA][BOLD]Amenities:[EBOLD] Launderettes; bars; libraries; chapels; common rooms;[PARA]TV and games rooms; music rooms; some colleges also have [PARA]halls and large theatre-style venues.[PARA][BOLD]Car parking:[EBOLD] Permit required for limited spaces at some colleges.[HDNG]EXTERNALLY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Renting: 30% [BULL] Ave rent: ú35[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] [ITAL]It's difficult to find private housing for rent. [EITAL] Some [PARA]choose to resort to the surrounding villages where rents are [PARA]lower and places are more available. What there is is in Victorian[PARA]houses shared between about 3 and 5. Avoid the Sherburn [PARA]Estate. Car parking is as limited as the housing. Cars are [PARA]unnecessary and are the cause of much local tension, but many [PARA]still bring them.[PARA][BOLD]Housing help:[EBOLD] DSU employs 1 part-time accommodation officer [PARA]who runs an office with vacancy lists, standard contracts and so [PARA]on. St Cuthbert's Society gives a bit of a boost to its own [PARA]students.
