Is hostel accommodation right for me?

Hostels provide shared accommodation and usually cater for single people, and in some cases couples. You will usually (but not always) get a single room to yourself, but have to share a bathroom and toilet with other hostel residents. Arrangements for meals vary. Some hostels have canteens and provide meals which you pay for out of your rent. Others might give you the option of buying meals but also have kitchens that residents can use to cook themselves a meal. The accommodation is furnished.

Hostels are seen by most people as a temporary housing option. Hostel accommodation might be suitable for you if you aren't yet ready to make a decision about where you want to live long term or just need a place for a short period. It can also be a good option if you need to leave your current home quickly as you can sometimes get a hostel place at short notice.

Living in a hostel can be a good way to make friends, and so it might be particularly suitable for you if you are moving to a new area where you know few people. The size of hostels can vary from around 15 residents to 250 residents. There are often rules to make sure that everyone gets along without annoying each other.

Hostels cater for all kinds of people, and there are many types of hostel. The landlord is usually a housing association or charity, but there are also some private hostels around. Some are only for certain groups of people such as women or people who have previously slept rough. Some hostels provide support to their residents such as:

• help with getting a job, or
• help with a drug or alcohol problem.

They can also sometimes help you with finding more permanent accommodation. Click on Types of hostel for more information about the different types that there are.

What you will have to pay in a hostel can vary widely. In London you can pay anything from £100 to £350 a week for a hostel.

With so many different hostels around you might want to do a bit of research into what is on offer. The first thing to think about, though, is what YOU want. Although it might not be possible always to get exactly what you want this can help you choose the best option available. Click on Finding the right hostel for advice on where to look for a hostel and important questions to ask.

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Click on these links to reach different parts of the website:
Private renting - Council or housing association - Buying your own home
Hostels - Jobs with accommodation - Moving out of London
What's right for me? - Help - Contacts & info - Go back to the start