[HDNG]IN COLLEGE:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Self-catering: 3% [BULL] Cost: ú35/40(32-40wks)[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] There are 170 places in a hall at Craiglockhart, enough[PARA]for about 10% of 1st years, so students shouldn't reckon on a [PARA]University room unless they have got a really good argument, [PARA]which has to include a home further than 25 miles away. If they [PARA]do get a place, there's a 64% chance it'll be shared. [ITAL] It's a nice [PARA]building though, with atmosphere, if a little quiet[EITAL]. It is split into [PARA]single sex corridors with kitchens for every 5 or 6 students. The [PARA]new Bruntsfield Halls provide no more than 50 further places [PARA](including 30 shared), available to those in the 2nd year and [PARA]above, but they hardly even dent the demand. Planning is [PARA]underway for 1,200 new places by the end of 1995.[HDNG]EXTERNALLY:[EHDNG][PARA][GRPH]A2[EGRPH][STAT][BULL] Ave rent: ú40[ESTAT][PARA][BOLD]Availability:[EBOLD] Living out presents as many options as living in. Most [PARA]students opt to live in privately rented flats, some of which are [ITAL][PARA]very good value[EITAL], but some end up (for at least part of a year) in [PARA]lodgings with a live-in landlord/lady who cooks and cleans. [ITAL]Often [PARA]this is like a home from home, but students complain that rather [PARA]than making them homesick, this arrangement more frequently [PARA]makes them sick of home.[EITAL] Talking of home, many students are [PARA]local and live with their parents and/or families. [ITAL]With all these [PARA]options, most of the year it's not too difficult to find somewhere, [PARA]until it comes to September when everybody else is looking, or [PARA]August when landlords with any sense don't want to know [PARA]because all their properties are on profitable short-term rents to [PARA]Festival-goers. Students with nous can get a piece of this action [PARA]themselves.[EITAL] The trick is to avoid the crush and start a rental [PARA]period at the beginning of the summer and to ensure subletting's [PARA]allowed. Then get some am dram group doing a Fringe show to [PARA]pay ú50 per person per week, cramming in a cast of 20, during [PARA]the Festival and suddenly student debt is a thing of the past. [ITAL]The [PARA]best places to be are Marchmont, Bruntsfield and Newington, [PARA]particularly studenty areas, close to the centre with high quality [PARA]housing. [EITAL][PARA][PARA][BOLD]Housing help:[EBOLD] NSA's Student Services employ a full-time [PARA]accommodation officer who keeps a list of vacancies, who helps[PARA]match students and landlords and who advises generally on [PARA]housing and contracts. [ITAL]Private agencies are also worth [PARA]contacting.[EITAL][PARA][PARA]
