What you should know about living in a large student house

When I get asked how many people I am living with, I am often met with a reaction of shock when I tell people that I’m living in a house of 9 people. Very few people are actually positive about my generous number of flatmates.

While I accept that this number is significantly higher than the average university student house size of four to six people, I am continuously disheartened by everyone’s negative attitude. There are obviously some, albeit few, challenges that come with living with so many people, but from my experience, the positives far outweigh any negatives.

Last year I was in Sherbourne student accommodation of 12, meaning this is still a noticeable downsize. Now, I live in Leamington Spa in a 10 bedroom flat. The flat is really unique for a student house and boasts a flawless location. I live here with eight of my closest university friends and I absolutely love it.

There are some compromises which must be made for this way of living

Despite common assumptions, living in a big house is altogether not too different from living in a typical six. People usually ask how it works logistically with cooking times and just being generally overwhelmed with flatmates everywhere, but the truth is that this is incredibly rare. Everyone has their own lives and are busy doing their own thing, meaning our schedules don’t often clash negatively.

That said, there are some compromises which must be made for this way of living. Finding a house, for instance, is challenging with far fewer options available. This means that you cannot be too picky and have to abandon having certain preferences such as house cost and room sizes. 

Further issues such as fridge and kitchen space can be tricky to navigate at first. Having to share all the cupboards between so many can pose its challenges, however, with a little organisation, it is ultimately not a big sacrifice to make. In many ways, you learn to adapt quickly to the busy living arrangement.

Having a big house feels even more important than ever 

Nonetheless, an obvious benefit of having 9 people living under the same roof is that there is always something going on. I very rarely walk around the house without bumping into someone else. If I want company, someone will be around. We are all very sociable and easygoing and frequently do things together such as movie nights, takeaway evenings as well as playing games. 

When we are all together, it makes for a great time and with nine of us, every day is a lot of fun. This is not to say that living in a small house is not equally as enjoyable, just that big houses can offer more dynamics, one could say. 

Notably, this year has posed us with issues which we never saw coming. With the recent restrictions enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, having a big house feels even more important than ever and I am extremely thankful in this respect. Having a constant base of so many friends living with me has been especially beneficial.

There are newfound frustrations as well 

With far fewer in-person events, it is refreshing to have so many friends at home with me to deliver that much-needed sense of normalcy. The vast number of us makes it feel less like being stuck in a small household bubble and more like living in a little community. There is always someone around to chat to and mealtimes are refreshing social pastimes.

However, there are newfound frustrations as well. For instance, the rule of six makes it impossible for us to all have drinks together outside of our house. Likewise, in a world before coronavirus, I am sure that larger houses held the potential for bigger, more exciting house parties packed with students. This is an experience which we will also miss out on and it reminds us that it is hard to compare living in a house of 9 in 2020 to previous years.

A house of 9 can be just as enjoyable

This year, however, my house of 9 is serving me as a comfortable bubble, which I share with all my best friends. All my concerns beforehand have proved to be minor and all the positives have been even better than I could have imagined.

I’m not saying that living in a flat of 9 is better than five or six, just that it offers a different experience and works well for me personally.  I hope this has managed to give you a brief insight into living in a big house and dispel some myths that you may hear. There is often a stigma that six is the standard and perfect number but from my experience, a house of 9 can be just as enjoyable.