A little unlike Home Alone, I was not accidentally left behind, I was choosing to step into independence for the first time. When I moved from India to Manchester at 18, I was excited for the experience, but before anything else, I had one important question: where was I going to live?

Getting into the University of Manchester felt like a dream come true. I had worked hard for it and hoped it would happen, but I also knew it meant leaving my family behind, packing just a few essentials, and starting a completely new chapter on my own. Before I arrived, the thing I worried about most was finding the right place to live, because I knew my accommodation would shape a big part of my first-year experience. I wanted more than just a room to stay in, I wanted a place where I could feel settled, convenient, and, eventually, at home.

I was also certain from the beginning that I wanted an en-suite room, but during my research I found that university accommodation offered much cheaper prices than private options. In some cases, the difference was around £20–£40 per week, which made a real difference to my budget. I had five choices, and I got my second one (Park-View), which now, looking back, seems to have worked out for the best.
When I arrived in Manchester and saw my accommodation in person, I felt a sense of relief. Everything was new and unfamiliar, but I knew that I had a place to settle. One of the reasons I really liked my place was because of its location. It was close to the Business School (15 minutes’ walk / 8 minutes by bus), and I had a bus stop right outside, which made travelling into the city centre very convenient.
The area was also really lively. I was close to 7+ grocery shops within a 15-minute walk (Lidl, Co-op, Worldwide, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and B&M), while I also had plenty of restaurants with affordable options. I was even able to get a wrap for £3 on Curry Mile.
The wide range of restaurants, plus how quiet the university accommodation was, yet how I was still able to meet wonderful people, was perfect, as it made me feel more at home in Manchester.

While initially I did not know anyone, the accommodation common space gave me a real sense of community. I was living with other students who were also adjusting to university life, and the exposure I got was really unique. I was able to cook with my flatmates, who were from different parts of the world, and we had movie nights, went to the gym, and walked to university together. Sometimes, I was also able to meet people from my own place, and we would cook home-cooked meals together.

I also really enjoyed occasions like Halloween in my accommodation, when we would carve pumpkins or go with friends to local pubs. When I look back on them now, they bring a real sense of nostalgia.
The combination of these experiences gave me the feeling that Manchester was my new home, and I feel that coming here was one of the best choices I have made. Just a heads-up: you are going to walk a lot, so get a good pair of walking shoes!

Written by Krishnadeva Somayaji Bantwal, a current 2nd year BSc ITMB student. 

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