Samhitha loved Metalworks for its budget-friendly en-suite rooms, social vibe, and unbeatable location next to campus - perfect for a fun uni life.
Deciding where to live for the next year at university can seem a bit terrifying. Fortunately, the University of Birmingham has a huge variety of accommodations, and with these great options, you can find your home at the university. In this blog, I am going to tell you about my accommodation experiences in Metalworks in Selly Oak.
I live in The Metalworks in Selly Oak, in an en-suite flat with four other flatmates. Metalworks was in my top few choices since I wanted a relatively cheap option and a room with my own bathroom. They do not have a catering option, which worked out well for me since I wanted to try out cooking for myself, but for students who need a catering option, there are alternatives available.
My room had a small double bed with storage space at the bottom, a long desk with enough space for my laptop and other essentials, and a shelf on top. The room comes with a medium-sized cupboard, a small heater, and a bathroom as well. The kitchen and living room are together, which makes it easier to socialise with flatmates while you cook. The kitchen comes with two refrigerators—a big one and a mini fridge—an oven, a microwave, and a stove. It also comes with a few plates, a knife set, and other pots and pans that everyone can use.
One of the many added benefits of Metalworks is that it is located right next to the campus! The location is what attracted me the most to this accommodation since it is situated in Selly Oak. All the supermarkets like Aldi and Tesco are reachable within a 5–10-minute walking distance. Selly Oak also has a ton of fast-food places, and the neighbourhood is bustling all the time since it is right next to campus.
Being an international student, I was terrified I would not feel at home anywhere, but because of the diverse crowd in my neighbourhood, I felt comfortable. My flatmates have also been extremely welcoming and friendly, which makes it so much easier to share a co-space with them (the kitchen and the living room).
Metalworks also organises tons of activities in the common room where you can socialise with other people living in the same building. The common room is also a great place to just relax and meet friends as it has a huge couch, a TV, and a pool table as well. The building also has a laundry room, a reception that operates from Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm, and staff (security and maintenance) that work 24/7. Overall, the 24/7 staff ensures that you are safe, so I always felt secure knowing that I lived in a safe environment.
My name's Samhitha, I study BSc Psychology and come from India, Bangalore. I love all things film, dance and music!
