Living in Manchester on a Student Budget: A Guide to Affordable Student Life
Is it
expensive to live in Manchester as a student?
Manchester is one of the friendliest
cities for students; therefore, such an experience can be quite exciting. The
city is a busy community that is a place of student life. Still, the energy and
vibrant culture of the city are combined with the historical and cultural
background of the second-largest city in the United Kingdom. The question of
whether living in Manchester as a
student is expensive or not comes to the lips of every student. Let us give the
topic the due and adequate attention it deserves by discussing the cost of
living and the aspect that pertains to the participation of the students, i.e.
budget management, in the activities this beautiful city has to offer.
Cost of Accommodation in Manchester
The biggest portion
of any student's budget usually goes to accommodation. In Manchester, there are
various student housings to choose
from, including on-campus accommodations and off-campus ones. You should expect
to pay about £400 per month for a room in a shared flat or student apartment that is away from the campus. The price, of
course, is determined by various factors among them the location and the type
of property i.e. on-campus or private. The type of amenities provided is also a
factor. On-campus accommodation would probably be dearer but many of these
usually have a package that includes everything such as utilities, Wi-Fi, and
other expenses.
If you're the one
looking for a more independent lifestyle, then the private rented apartments or
shared houses, which have lower prices will fit your needs. Nonetheless, bear
in mind that you're likely to have to account for extra bills such as gas, electricity,
and council tax (the amount of which is $50-$100 per month), depending on the
property size.
Food and Groceries
In terms of food,
Manchester gives affordable choices to all types of residents. If you're going
to cook at home, your regular weekly grocery shop can cost around £25-£35
depending on where you go and what you shop. Engaging the services of
supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and Tesco, which are very familiar to students,
can help in the quest to keep costs down. Eating out is also decently priced
and plenty of cafes and eateries supplying meals between £5 to £10 are used by
students. Whether you're buying a coffee at a restaurant on campus or planning
a full-course meal to cook at home, your budget might still be adequate for
food with some configurations on your part.
Transportation Costs
Travelling in
Manchester is quite cheap, particularly for students, which is one of the main
reasons that most of them live in this city. The cost of a student's monthly
bus pass, which gives the right to unlimited rides across the city, is about
£40. If cycling is the way you like the most, you will be glad to know that the
city is bike-friendly, plus rental rates, starting from only £2 per day or £30
per month, are also very reasonable. Manchester's tram system is vast with a
single trip normally costing £2, but discounts are available for students.
Students can also
take advantage of the Metrolink tram service, which has reduced student fares,
thereby lowering travel expenses. If your housing location is close to the
university or the city centre, you will find walking as one untreated option to
save your money entirely.
Entertainment and Social Life
Manchester, on the
contrary, is regarded as one of the most bustling and vibrant cities in the
country, being the hub concerning not only the entertainment and nightlife
scene but the vibrant culture and arts scene as well, with tons of free or
low-cost events across the whole year. You could enjoy a variety of things such
as visits to museums and art galleries concerts in the open air and festivals.
The wonderful museums of Manchester like the Manchester Museum or the Whitworth
Art Gallery, where you have free entry, serve as quiet spots to chill out
without worrying about any expenditure.
Another area that
the nightlife of Manchester does very well is a variety of student-friendly
pubs, bars, and clubs from which they can choose. You can go to the club and
pay anywhere between £10-£30, or you can have a few drinks at the nearby pub.
If the cinema is more of your thing there are quite a lot of places that sell
student tickets for £6 to £8. Be sure to always have up-to-date information
about cinemas, attractions, and other such activities to find all the discount
cards and special offers you are looking for.
Healthcare and Miscellaneous Costs
As a student in
Manchester, you will have access to free medical care via the National Health
Service, which is one of the reasons why you will be able to live quite cheaply
there. This is a major plus compared to many other countries where they may
need to purchase medical insurance.
Other minor
expenses are phone bills, toiletries, and other personal things. On average,
they might be an extra £50-£70 every month, but there is nothing difficult
about it if you restrain yourself from going overboard with your spending and
always spend prudently.
Managing Your Budget
If you are living
in Manchester on a student budget,
it will be no longer than necessary if you do some forward-thinking and
planning. Economical apartments, home-cooked meals when possible, and
reductions that are available to students are the things that will make the
money go further. The secret is to be thoughtful about your shopping habits and
look for bargains wherever you go.
As far as housing
is concerned, many companies provide students with cheap apartments. Student Tenant is a brilliant
organization, where students may find a variety of student accommodations in Manchester or elsewhere in the country
that is safe and affordable. If you're interested in shared accommodation, you
may wish to visit Student Tenant, which,
besides student accommodation, also has affordable apartments of various types
that suit different budgets and tastes in the centre of Manchester.
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