Hi,

Can anyone tell me how the housing units that offer rooms with shared private facilities are? I am going to move to Utrecht and was wondering if I should opt for this option (low cost) or rent a separate apartment. Also, how safe is it for a girl to live in such units?

Think all students, starters have to do this in western country. I believe the practise is similar in any university in Asia. Also concepts of boarding schools.

I do not know what do you mean by your question - that offer rooms with shared private facilities are ??

Well, it is a room, with a bed, chair, table, may be a closet for your belongings. Mostly 15-20 sq meter. Sometimes you can get a telephone line, or there is already dedicated one, same with internet. The details will be in the university brochure. As to what you can expect. Obviously it will not be luxury to live there.

Normally you have on one floor amongst 4-8 students a bathroom, kitchen and toilet. Some rooms have a sink.

I do not know what you are paying. But renting a flat when you are student is pretty undone. Housing is very scare in this country. Rents are very high. So, for a studio flat you could be looking at 800 Euros a month in Utrecht region.

I also do not understand your question - How safe is it for girls to live in such a unit?
Well, you share a floor with students. So, there will be people from all kinds of life. Quite ones, weed smokers (its legal in Holland). Nobody is going to jump at you, unless you are inviting them. It is going to be a student house, no one can just walk into your room, everyone respects your privacy and the rooms will have lock on it.

I thought you had lived long enough in the states. It works pretty much on the same model. Just smaller, more expensive and better quality of life.

Thanks welliamin. That's a very comprehensive information.
I lived in an apartment in US, so am sort of wary about trying out the students arrangement. Do you know what would be the penalty for breaking a rental contract earlier than the given period i.e if I change accommodation after 3 mnths of stay when the contract is of 10 mnths?

Thanks again for your help.

Well, mostly for student accomodation they are flexible if you want to leave early etc.
Like I said space is scare commodity in this country. There will be enough students willing to take your room over. Same goes for the housing. Most houses in Amsterdam are occupied before you end your contract.

However, with private housing or student accomodation (ESP Private housing) - you have to sign a contract. Some have a clause where they 2 months rent. Other whole period. While some let you off on good will, because you found them a new tenant. So, it is pretty much contract specific. You need to read the contract well.

As for States - it not not so common that students have their own flat. Normally they share a private house (mostly because they cannot get accomodation from university).
As for local students, they stay with parents or rent a room close to university and go back home in weekends.