1st year Off-Campus ?

ray2012

may be heading to DCU next year, not too sure, but anyways, I'm just wondering how do you think a first year living off campus would cope?
I would love to live on-campus but the prices are extremely dear (around 4000euro), and I don't have the money for that :P I could stay with my uncle who lives in and around Lucan, which is around a 25/30 minute bus drive from DCU (not sure) ?

The only problem I'd have is with meeting people, as I wouldn't be living on-campus I'd rarely see people in my course outside of class.. Does anyone know if there does be many buses going to the suburbs of Dublin, eg. Lucan, much during the day? Like what would be the latest time they would leave the city? I've tried checking myself on the DublinBus website, but i can't manage that website at all, just confusing :pac:

But yeah, just seeking advice on would living off-campus for 1st year be ok, in your opinion?

Lockky

I live out in Howth myself and I dont find it any problem. The majority of people going to DCU don't live on campus. Many people live in digs in Gateway and Northwood, but thats pretty much the same I guess. I know at least 5 or 6 people from Lucan in DCU and I'm sure there are plenty more so it shouldn't be a problem. If you want go to DCU because the course you prefer is here then go for it. The distance won't be an issue after you get to know a few people. I often just crash on peoples' sofas after nights out anyway so its grand

ray2012

Lockky wrote: »

I live out in Howth myself and I dont find it any problem. The majority of people going to DCU don't live on campus. Many people live in digs in Gateway and Northwood, but thats pretty much the same I guess. I know at least 5 or 6 people from Lucan in DCU and I'm sure there are plenty more so it shouldn't be a problem. If you want go to DCU because the course you prefer is here then go for it. The distance won't be an issue after you get to know a few people. I often just crash on peoples' sofas after nights out anyway so its grand

looking to do that after a lot of the nights out! :P Do you have any idea on how much digs near the university cost? I can't find any info on them anywhere.. sound for this :cool:

Lockky

To be honest I'm not really sure. I know some of the guys pay 80 quid a week but I can't remember who that is so I don't know where they are staying. The only one I know a anything about about is Gateway. A few of my friends are there and the consensus is that it's a really nice block of apartments but the management are unhelpful and rude. Maybe thats just them having bad experiences, but I am constantly hearing complaints about it. Sorry I can't be much more help

polkabunny

ray2012 wrote: »

looking to do that after a lot of the nights out! :P Do you have any idea on how much digs near the university cost? I can't find any info on them anywhere.. sound for this :cool:

You can pay anything from 60 euro per week upwards, depends on where it is and how on the ball you are

ray2012

thanks a lot to both of you really appreciate it.

Breifne72

I'm livin in gateway at the minute, its €99 a week, which is pretty good considerin they pay all your bills. The management are kinda unhelpful and rude but as long as you stay out of their way they'll stay out of yours. I actually know a few people who come in from Lucan everyday, I wouldnt do it myself but they've made loads of friend and get on grand

Tippgal93

Hey there. I would imagine that living off campus would be grand. Plenty of my friends do and they still get on fine. And once you have made friends etc you will always be able to kip on their sofas etc if its too late to get a bus home. . The only thing they dont like about it is having their parents on their back every morning about lectures etc.

A good few stay in Gateway, however Shanowen Hall or Shanowen Square are just across the road from the college on the DCU entrance. There are mainly first years here, but there are also some 2nd, 3rd & 4th years. It costs €125 per year. this is paid in 2 installments. The first in September, and the 2nd in January. It includes internet, maintenance work, heating , security, electricity and general utility bills. I would highly recommend either of these places. It literally only takes a 5 minute walk to get to college.

polkabunny

Breifne72 wrote: »

I'm livin in gateway at the minute, its €99 a week, which is pretty good considerin they pay all your bills. The management are kinda unhelpful and rude but as long as you stay out of their way they'll stay out of yours. I actually know a few people who come in from Lucan everyday, I wouldnt do it myself but they've made loads of friend and get on grand

Just to point out, they don't pay your bills, they take €15 out of your deposit every week to cover bills.

xxmeabhxx

I'm in third year and I've been commuting in since I started and it's fine. I still made friends no problem and my buses are frequent enough that I can stay on campus till late to do society activities and I can get home easily afterwards. Loads of people commute in and aren't at a disadvantage socially. Someone mentioned that their friends don't like having their parents on their back every morning but this hasn't been a problem for me, I kinda like living at home because it means I can't just take the day off when I feel like it or mess around cos the parents are there. It's far too easy to fall into the trap of not going to lectures when there's no one to give out about it.

ChloChlo

ray2012 I am in my second year in DCU, and I live in hazelwood. I actually live in the private block and its 62 a week, not including ESB bills. the other blocks are are 120 a week but they include ESB bill. I would recommend hazelwood, but the only thing is like shanowen square & halls and larkfield (Campus accom.) they require you to pay per semester and its like 2000 a go which can be devastating to parents. If you have friends that are going to Dublin, try and look around for houses in Santry, Drumchondra, Whitehall and Glasnevin. The girls i am living with this year lived in house last year for 50 a week, 10 minute walk to DCU. Look around, dont be afraid to live with people you don't know that well (as long as they're not crazy!) Don't worry about not meeting people, the majority of people I met last year where people from dublin who needed somewhere to crash after nights out or pre-drink! You will meet people in college, joining societies ETC so don't worry! Your best bet would be to look to rent a house in the surrounding area