Housing Advice.

Moving house always raises lots of questions, whether your moving to a new area or a new city there’s a lot to think about. Here are some things you should consider when searching for student accommodation.

Get ahead of the game

As you are probably aware, the student housing market in Manchester is very competitive. Try to organise your accommodation for the next academic year as soon as possible. The best time to look is supposedly between November and January, particularly if you are looking for a certain area.

Do your research

In the same breath, it’s important not to rush into signing contracts before you have viewed and checked the property and neighbourhood. Look at reviews of your landlord or letting agent and get your contract checked. Our brand new partner, Manchester Student Homes, offer a free contract checking service for Spirit Students, as well as information, advice and guidance on finding accommodation. Find our more about Manchester Student Homes here.

Transport links

Luckily most parts of Manchester are very well connected with frequent buses, trams, trains and cycle lanes. However there is generally a trade-off between proximity to the city centre and rent prices so it is worth considering where you are moving to and the journeys you’ll be making.

Commuting to Spirit.

Consider your journey to Spirit, particularly during the morning rush as the buses from Fallowfield and Withington get extremely busy.

Getting home after a night out

Make sure you’re aware of how to get home safely after a night out. Although there are night buses, sometimes taxis may be the easiest and safest option.

Neighbours

Be mindful of where you are moving and how your lifestyle might impact your neighbours. If you are wanting to play music all day, don’t move into a quiet family neighbourhood. If you want a peace and quiet, don’t move into the centre of Northern Quarter.

Manchester Student Homes has an full guide on House Hunting for 2025/2026, they also have a full Housing Advice page on their website covering all of the stages from house hunting to moving out.