What are the Best Tips for Student Accommodation in Wellington

Famous for its vibrant culture, Wellington is a cosmopolitan city with an energetic personality. It is the capital and second-most populous urban area of New Zealand. It is home to four public universities — the Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, University of Otago, and  Wellington Institute of Technology. The University of Otago ranks 176 in the QS World University Rankings, 2019 and scores high in research quality. Thousands of overseas students pour into the city in hoards every year to take admission in these universities, which makes securing quality student accommodation Wellington quite strenuous. 

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The four parameters mentioned below will help you secure a comfortable accommodation without compromising on the facilities offered. 

Popular Student Areas 

It is quite challenging to find the perfect student accommodation in the right area of a city to suit your needs as well as your budget. Aro Valley, Island Bay, Hataitai, and more are some of the popular places to stay in Wellington for students. Among these student-friendly areas, Aro Valley is a favourite with students due to its events, parties, wonderful sense of community, and cheap student accommodation Wellington. The suburb is within easy walking distance to Wellington’s Central Business District (CBD) area and relatively affordable in comparison to other central suburbs.

Getting Around Wellington

Public transport in Wellington is well-developed compared to other parts of New Zealand. It consists of commuter trains, electric and diesel buses, funicular (Wellington Cable Car), and ferries. City Centre Buses operate across the city centre and inner suburbs. You can opt for a Snapper card which is a cheaper and faster way to pay. The trains in Wellington are the fastest way of travelling between Wellington Station and its surrounding districts. There are two major rail corridors in Wellington — the North Island Main Trunk (NIMT) which runs along the western coastline and the Wairarapa Line which runs along the edge of Wellington Harbour. 

Things to Do in Wellington

Wellington is a fun and vibrant place to live in, with a social calendar full of exciting events. It is one of the most cultural cities in New Zealand, so you’re bound to have a night out like no other! The main party district in Wellington is along Courtenay Place with a mix of nightclubs, bars, and pubs. Visit Cuba Street which is transformed into a multicultural street food and performance haven on every Friday and Saturday, from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. 

Wellington Student Accommodation

The city offers a variety of accommodation options depending on your budget and desired location. There are purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)  available with campus-like facilities designed for student living. These student properties are located within easy walking distance of the city’s top universities to drastically cut down on commute time. The average rent is around 190NZD-450NZD a week based on the location. This rent is inclusive of utility bills, amenities like a fully-equipped kitchen, games room, lounge area, gym, and more. University Living, a global student housing marketplace, helps students browse through shared and en-suite rooms, studios and apartments. 

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Keep in mind these parameters to secure quality accommodation and enjoy your stay in Wellington!

Guide to Living Costs for Students in Wellington

Recently named "the coolest little capital in the world" by Lonely Planet, Wellington is famous for its vibrant creative culture backed by great food, coffee, and events. It is situated at the southern end of the North Island and is a cosmopolitan city with an amazing student life. The cost of living in New Zealand is comparable to all The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, and Wellington is rated as more affordable than New Zealand's largest city, Auckland. Below are some points to consider if you are on a student budget and want to plan out well to save more and enjoy your student life in Wellington.

Accommodation

Students who are planning to settle down in Wellington should have predefined ideas about the type of accommodation they need and how much they can afford to pay depending on their budget. They must conduct a detailed research on the average cost paid on student accommodation Wellington depending on the region and the area they choose to live in. For a one-room accommodation, the average rent ranges from 800 NZD to 1500 NZD. However, these prices are subject to change depending on the cost trends that follow.

Food 

When it comes to satisfying your hunger pangs, it is worth calculating your daily expense on food. The amount spent on food totally depends on individual preferences. The average expenses incurred on food can be around 200 NZD per month. This amount tends to fluctuate depending upon the eating habits of a student.

Public Transport

The first and foremost is to consider the daily commute cost if you are living away from your university and will have to use public transport to commute. An average of 120 NZD per month is spent by a student on the commute if he/she uses public transport. However, if you are reluctant to use public transport for any reason, then you should know by now, that private transport can be expensive and subsequently add to your cost of living in Wellington.

Staying Connected 

Staying overseas, away from your family and close friends, brings the need to be in constant touch with your loved ones. The only way to stay in touch is through calls, messages, emails, and video calls. In fact, a lot of internet data also goes into referring to study resources and conducting research online. You will, therefore, have to consider the expenses incurred on internet bills. To save on your internet charges, you can look for student accommodations Wellington that provide Wi-Fi facilities included in the rent. You can also use prepaid plans that include data, calling, and texting and will cost you an average of 50 NZD per month.
 
The aforementioned points will surely help you plan better, especially if you are on a student budget and want to live a stress-free life without having to spend exorbitantly on your daily expenses. University Living, a global student accommodation marketplace, provides 360 degree services for students to avail all accommodation-related services under one roof.