Accommodation in Bournemouth

[watch_the_birdie]

Right...... Ok, I (and many others) are starting in July down at NATS CATC in Bournemouth.

So. July. Bournemouth. Summer holidays. Accommodation in B&Bs is impossible. I have been looking at various options to "start me off" so then whilst I am down there I can find my feet and sort things out (I'm coming down from Inverness-way here, I'm not daunted by this, just understandably apprehensive).

The questions I generally have are:

1) Do people generally stay in B&Bs for their time at college? If so, what is the general price to pay, and does it allow self catering option for dinner? To me at the moment, living for x months in a B&B seems alien to me, but if it's the done thing, then so be it.

2) Is Boscombe pretty much the place to stay if you want to be near to other students for studying/socialising benefits?

Would post this in departure lounge, but this is a more open forum...

Would love any advice!

[Defruiter]

There are 100's of B&B's in Bournemouth - You will find loads with room.

When I was at the college, I stayed in a B&B for the entire 6 months, as did most other people. Some got house shares, but the majority were in B&B's. Mine was about £110 a week, evening meal included. You can expect to pay about that for a meal, between about £80 and 100 without.

As for Boscombe, yep - Just about everyone on my course stayed there. The odd few in other places...but Boscombe is the place it's all happenin'

DF

[timelapse]

Boscombe B&B is the norm for the start. Some stay there for the whole time, some then move on to rent a house/flat with other coursemates. Obviously you don't have to stay there.. but Westby Road is the usual habitat.. all depends what you want to do really.

Have a look at gumtree if it's getting difficult!

I started this time last year and stayed with a friend with a spare room for the first few weeks, then shared a flat with another trainee, then moved into a big shared house for the final few weeks.

At the start, I didn't hear about people having a problem getting rooms - the accommodation guide should have a fairly good list?

[Fidgell]

Westby Road is THE place to be central to course after hours life as the vast majority take up residence there and for little cash. I stayed at Clematis on Westby Road, more than sufficient and ran by Sheila and her husband who know the college well as their son is an ATCO, She didnt used to chaqrge for weekends and let you use her kitchen to make your own lunch and dinner...

Boscombe aint the crown jewels of the seaside but its cheap and near to Bournemouth where it all happens... Oh and roll on summer, with a July start just wait till you experience the err "sights" of Bournemouth Beach!

I wanna go back... but then actually no, I dont!!!

NJOI

[ADIS5000]

w_t_b,

Don't stress too much about it. I came down from Aberdeenshire 18 months ago and had the same Qs and feelings you do. There are no problems getting accomodation as Bournemouth and its surrounds has thousands of B&Bs. The college will send you a list of accomodation and phone numbers nearer the course start date. Just note that the list is not on a 'recommended by students basis' and some of the B&Bs are a bit shabby! (As is Boscombe!) However, a bit of internet research will give you some pointers. The only problem with starting in July is that the prices are a bit higher to start with. My top tip is if you book accomodation before you get there, only book it for a week or so. Then if you hate it or it's too far away from everybody else, or you want to share with someone on the course you're not tied in for months on end.

Regards, ADIS

[timelapse]

Also - tell the B&B people what you're doing, many of them have discounts for trainees.

[aerotech07]

I'd also give a thumbs up to a B&B in Boscombe. It may seem alien, but alot of B&Bs in the area are used to having TATCs and are very accommodating. It varies at different places but most will let you use their kitchen etc; some are more like a shared house than a B&B. That said if you prefer the rented/shared flat route then people do that as well. All down to personal preference I guess. But as a starting point you won't go wrong with a B&B in Boscombe.

From my point of view, its worth its weight in gold living near other people on the course. From lifts to college, to study sessions in the evenings, and socialising at the weekends, its great being surrounded by people also at the college.

[The Many Tentacles]

I have to be honest, I never used a B&B at all when I was at the college. I rented a house from the start and stayed there until about a year ago when I moved closer to Swanwick.

Sure it cost more then a B&B, but I was a lot happier - I had my own space, I could eat when I wanted and what I wanted - usually a lot of rubbish, but I digress. With a few of you getting together either through here or after a week or two it'll work out cheaper than a B&B and you can hold "social" gatherings.

Incidentally, if anyone is after a single room in a house about 6 miles from the college then I know of someone who might have one - not my own I might add. PM me if you want some details

[littlemisstinker]

Hi to all coming down south !!!

I can understand that your all trying to get accm sorted and strugling due to holidays (the bain of any southerners life !!! )

If your access to the college via car then why don't you try looking North of the college ??

nearest towns like this are Ferndown (I grew up here and its v.pleasent and nearest to the college), parley, ringwood, west moors, Verwood, kinson (a bit like boscombe but would be cheap) , red hill, moordown, winton .......... the list goes on and on ...........

these all have easy access to either the A31 that takes you directly to the airport or are around 15mins away, If I was coming down i'd look at these places as they will be shedloads cheaper and the demand wouldn't be as high as there not on the coast ........

If anybody wants anymore info about the local area just ask !!!

tinker x
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