A hall of residence in Ligota or a flat in the centre of Katowice – which to choose?

Is choosing between a hall of residence and renting a flat like weighing a wild student life against a quiet existence in the seclusion of a studio flat? Definitely not! Both in a hall of residence and in private accommodation you can have a great time, work creatively and relax in peace and quiet. It all depends on us. If we do face such a choice, however, it is worth taking a close look at all the possible options.

A hall of residence in Ligota, or a survival school?

Years pass, and halls of residence remain enormously popular. Standards and decor change, but the atmosphere stays the same. Legends circulate about the parties held there. A hippie paradise? For some, certainly. For others, a chance to make new friends and break out of the grey reality of everyday life. Living on a university campus has many advantages. It allows instant integration with other students, unforgettable parties and the chance to chat until the small hours. Students are provided with internet access and can use quiet study rooms, a common room, a laundry, a drying room, kitchens and a car park. The rooms have washbasins, fridges and a shower. If they decide to invest more, they can choose a room of a higher standard, equipped with a kitchenette. You must, however, be prepared for rooms shared by 2 or 3 people. Any privacy is out of the question. It is noisy, even despite the night-time quiet hours, and attempts to rein in a crowd swept up in a party mood may come to nothing. Halls most often offer claustrophobic interiors filled with furnishings from a bygone era. Not everyone is keen to party, either. After all, university is a time that should be devoted to studying.

The halls of residence are located in Ligota, which lies on the outskirts of Katowice, about 6.5 km from the centre. You can of course get there by Koleje Śląskie trains or ZTM buses on lines 9, 10, 12, 13, 36, 37, 46, 48, 51, 138, 154, 238, 292, 657, 912, 913, but it takes a good deal of valuable time.

Hall of residence prices are not encouraging

What are the prices for renting a room? Here is an example. The Student Halls Complex of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice consists of four halls of residence. A place in a 2-person room (the halls at ul. Medyków 12a and 12b) costs from 350 to 400 PLN, while a place in a 3-person room costs from 330 to 370 PLN a month, depending on the standard of the unit. If we want a kitchenette, this option is available in Student Halls no. 3 and 4 (ul. Medyków 24 and 26), where foreigners studying in English live, and they pay from 740 to 890 PLN for a place in a room of 21 sq m, while in a room of 27 sq m prices range from 810 to 970 PLN.

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A place in the halls of residence belonging to the University of Silesia, in turn, will cost from 417 to about 600 PLN. A night can cost as little as 13.90 PLN! Interestingly, students of the University of Economics in Katowice have, since the 2019/2020 academic year, been able to find accommodation only on the commercial market and through private listings. The university's website even lists websites where students can find suitable accommodation.

Or perhaps a flat in the centre of Katowice?

If we compare the price lists of halls of residence with flat rental listings, it may turn out that it is more convenient and cheaper to opt for the latter. If we choose to rent a flat in the centre of Katowice, we need a decidedly fuller wallet, because prices range from 1,500 PLN up to as much as 3,000 PLN for a flat and about 500 – 900 PLN for a room. Of course, slightly cheaper ones can be found too. Utility charges are often added on top of this amount. Most listings can be found in Osiedle Tysiąclecia or around ul. Mikołowska, that is, in very well-connected places. The cultural life of the city takes place in the centre, and this is where the atmospheric pubs, fast-food bars, gyms and shopping centres are, and let's not kid ourselves, students do not spend all their time studying. A flat is also a better option for those who value peace and quiet.

READ ALSO – IS RENTING A STUDIO FLAT WORTH IT?

Which option to choose? It is not an easy choice, and the decision requires careful thought. Most often, however, the final decision depends on the size of our wallet and our personality.