Accommodation is one of the most challenging aspects of being a student, more so in a place like Johannesburg – because you’re caught between getting a place comfortable enough for you and staying on a budget.
Regardless, it is still very possible to get cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg with the right information.
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, with over eight million people and a high score for affordability, showing its fairly low tuition fees and living costs.
Hence, the number of students seeking cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg is more than the rooms available. Though cheap is comparable, accommodation that is comfortable and offers free essential services at a fair price is every student’s desire.
This makes getting cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg very difficult. Just like you, a lot of other students want an accommodation that is cheap and comfortable.
Therefore, ensure you read this guide on how to get cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg before you start your accommodation hunt.
Here’s the table of content to ease your reading.
Table of contents
- What Is Student Accommodation In Johannesburg Like?
- When Should I Start Looking For Student Accommodation In Johannesburg?
- Factors To Consider When Looking For Student Accommodation In Johannesburg.
- Tips On How To Get Cheap Student Accommodation In Johannesburg
- How Much Does Accommodation In Johannesburg Cost?
- Where Can I Get Cheap Student Accommodation In Johannesburg?
- FAQs On How To Get A Cheap Student Accommodation In Johannesburg
- Conclusion
- We Recommend
- References
What Is Student Accommodation In Johannesburg Like?
Johannesburg has a higher education system that is well-developed, with a range of private and public universities, including the University of the Witwatersrand, one of the most prestigious in the country, and the University of Johannesburg.
Each institution receives applications from international students and other parts of South Africa. Students who don’t live close to any of the institutions or who prefer off-campus accommodation opt for cheap student accommodation within the school’s locality.
Different student accommodations offer a good amount of comfort. As a student, you can have a whole student apartment to yourself or share a room with two or more students.
Whichever choice you make, there’s an apartment for you. You just need to ensure that your accommodation is in line with your budget. Below are the types of student accommodation in Johannesburg.
Types of Student Accommodation In Johannesburg
Students who live in Johannesburg may decide to attend classes from their residence daily. However, students who do not live within Johannesburg opt for campus accommodation options. In Johannesburg, students can choose from different student accommodation options. They are:
On campus and off campus accomodation.
Several Academic institutions make on-campus accommodation reservations for their students.
Staying on-campus allows you to experience life on the campus to its fullest. It also gives you access to some school benefits. You can decide to stay alone or share a room with other students.
However, on-campus accommodation is not compulsory for all students.
There are student accommodations near the University of Johannesburg, Wits University, and other Colleges in Johannesburg.
Students who choose to live off-campus must consider a lot of factors before choosing a place to stay.
Just like on-campus accommodations, you can decide to have a whole apartment to yourself or share with other students.
When Should I Start Looking For Student Accommodation In Johannesburg?
At the beginning of every academic session, there’s always a rush to get cheap student accommodations in Johannesburg. This very common activity amongst students makes it difficult to get a student apartment in Johannesburg.
If it’s your first time trying to secure student accommodation, you will spend a lot of money and in some cases get duped. This is why it’s important to know the right time to start looking for accommodations to enable you to get cheap ones at a very good location in Johannesburg.
New Students
Accommodation is one of the major challenges new students face. As a result, they tend to stay on-campus more than returning students. Also, since it’s their first time they prefer a place that lets them interact more with other students – both old and new.
As a new student, the best time to start looking for accommodation is immediately after you get admission. As soon as you receive your admission offer letter, you can go ahead to process your housing requirements.
Most schools in Johannesburg notify students of accommodation deadlines to enable them to secure accommodation on time.
However, if for some reason you did not meet up with the school’s deadline, all hope is not lost. You can still get off-campus student accommodation.
Returning Students
After the first year, students now know every corner of the school and Johannesburg as a whole. Some may still decide to remain on-campus while others would like to live off-campus.
Returning students can start looking for accommodation off-campus towards the end of the summer semester.
Some students operate as housing agents, and they put up banners advertising for available accommodation.
During this period, students can get to know apartments that graduating students vacated from and choose which one best suits them.
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Factors To Consider When Looking For Student Accommodation In Johannesburg.
When searching for cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg, you will likely come across a lot of options.
Some accommodations may be enticing but expensive, while others may be cheap but not to your taste. A very good way to avoid making regrettable choices is to prepare a checklist.
This checklist should comprise all the important criteria the accommodation must meet. Afterward, arrange them in order of importance.
Below are some factors to consider when searching for student accommodation in Johannesburg.
#1. Budget
Budget is the most important factor to consider when searching for student accommodation. If you are an international student, you may want to cut down on the list of expenses you have to make.
Go through your expenses to determine how much you can comfortably set aside for accommodation fees.
Unless you are on a fully-funded scholarship, it is important you choose the accommodation that won’t make you run into debt.
#2. Safety
Now that your student accommodation meets your budget list, Is it okay to pay for it?
No, I suggest you check if it’s safe and secure. It’s one thing to get cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg, it’s another to be sure it’s secure and in a safe location.
As much as you want to cut expenses, you wouldn’t want to go to a place with a high crime rate.
While checking the student accommodation, discover the worst security challenge you may encounter.
#3. Proximity
Living in a city that is far from school may not be the best decision to make. If you want exquisite accommodation, you will find one around the school. There is no point in going so far to get accommodation.
Remember, your primary goal in Johannesburg as a student is to attend lectures and get good grades. You cant do it efficiently if your accommodation is about 300 miles from school.
Choose a student accommodation in Johannesburg that is near your school.
#4. Comfort
Another one that tops the chart is the comfort of your apartment. As a student, there are basic amenities you need daily, which can include- noise-free zone, electricity, water, and other basic living essentials.
Your comfort should be a factor that determines if you choose that accommodation or not.
A comfortable accommodation means you can get a good rest and concentrate on your books which in turn brings good grades.
Tips On How To Get Cheap Student Accommodation In Johannesburg
Just like you, a lot of students are looking for a way to get cheap accommodations that are comfortable.
This is why you need to have an edge over others, so you don’t miss out on this great opportunity.
Follow these guides below to get cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg
#1. Start Early
As the popular adage goes, ” Rising Early makes the road short”. If you wish to get cheap accommodation, you must start early. Send your applications in immediately after you confirm your admission status.
As a new student, a good way to do this is to go to the school’s accommodation website and carefully read through the information provided to help you make a choice, or you can visit the housing agency and follow their requirements – for off-campus accommodation seekers.
If you make an early application, you have a high chance of getting a cheap student apartment in Johannesburg. You will even have the opportunity to make choices so as to select a very beautiful house or room.
#2. Stay Within Your Budget
Ensure that the accommodation you are going for is well within your defined budget. Even if you have to adjust, still make sure it’s in line with your budget for accommodation- as you wouldn’t want to run into debts.
#3. Seek Advice From Old Students
Taking advice from returning students will help you make a better decision when it comes to selecting a good student accommodation.
This is because they know better where to get the best student accommodation in Johannesburg at a cheap rate.
#4. Check Out the Apartment
When you have a couple of options to choose from now, it’s time to visit these apartments and find out if what they show in pictures is actually how it looks. Go with your checklist and be sure that the apartment meets the criteria you have set.
Where you can not go by yourself, get a friend, or use the campus life service of the student center of your school if there is one.
They can help you confirm an apartment before you any form of payment. Don’t be deceived, we are in the technology age, and anything can be modified to look as the owner wants.
#5. Pay Immediately
Once you find something appealing that suits your taste, you should go ahead and pay immediately.
If it’s an accommodation you want to share, get the other students on board and ensure you all have your money ready to pay immediately.
Bear in mind that a lot of students want to have cheap accommodation and the only reason you may lose yours to the other students is that you fail to pay on time.
If you follow these guidelines carefully, you are on your way to getting cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg.
How Much Does Accommodation In Johannesburg Cost?
The cost of accommodation in Johannesburg varies depending on the type of accommodation. It also depends on if you want a single room or a shared one.
A student at University Johannesburg’s first choice would be one of the many residences situated around Bunting Road, Doornfontein, and Soweto Campuses. Monthly rental prices at these apartments cost between R1 000 to R5 000 per room.
Rooms can be found on OLX for as little as R500 per month – the only problem is that many of these are shared rooms. The lower the price of the room, the less safe the area will be.
Another option would be residences situated around Westdene and Melville as the crime rate is lower, but the prices are high. Regardless, everything from shared apartments to single apartments costs between R1 350 to R4 600.
Students at Wits University have more options because the city’s accommodations are much cheaper than the University of Johannesburg. You can find student accommodation for as little as R1 350 per month. That means R5 000, can be split between four people.
There are still other good options that offer student accommodation, like Student Digz, Richmond, Mafadi, South Point, Afhco, and The Yards going for an average rental price of R 4600 per month.
The rents differ for each apartment. Factors like the apartment furnishing, availability of wi-fi, electricity, etc, also differ in the prices.
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Where Can I Get Cheap Student Accommodation In Johannesburg?
If you live outside Johannesburg, the best place to start your student accommodation search is online- there are property management websites giving out student accommodation at a cheap rate.
You can get more information from your school if you want to stay On-Campus. To see pictures and locations of some private off-campus student accommodation, check the following platforms.
#1. The Campus Rentals
For accommodation near University of Johannesburg and Wits University, campus rentals web page offers all the information on the best student accommodations available.
The page shows accommodation near the school, their costs, and essential services/features rendered.
Click the button below to see their collection of student apartments.
#2. South Point
South Point is another property management group that offers students accommodation in Johannesburg.
Their page shows the cost of the apartments and all the features/ services given.
Click the button to see their collection of highly liveable, well-positioned buildings within walking distances of most universities and transport zones.
#3. My Student Pad
If you’re looking for accommodation within 400m away from the University of Johannesburg, then this is a good place to start looking.
Click the button below to see the accommodations they have.
#4. The Fields
Available student accommodation rooms for rent are shown on this platform. You will also find information on the cost and payment options.
Click the link below to see more.
#5. Student Housing Soweto
If you are a student in Soweto, you can use this service to find cheap student accommodations suitable for you.
This agency is committed to providing a safe environment for the students in Johannesburg. You can call on +27 11 938 6177 or visit their office at 475 Makhubu St, Klipspruit, Soweto, 1809.
List Of Other Student Accommodation Providers In Johannesburg
Other places where you can get good student accommodation in Johannesburg are;
- Student Digz
- Richmond
- Mafadi
- Afhco
- The Yards
FAQs On How To Get A Cheap Student Accommodation In Johannesburg
Yes they do. Bills like electricity, water, and heating are included in the prices for several student accommodations.
If you want to stay on campus, it is advised that you start looking for accommodation as soon as you confirm your admission status. If you want to stay off-campus as a returning student, start your accommodation hunt by the end of the summer semester.
University students prefer to stay in private rented rooms and houses either off-campus or on-campus.
There are several personal factors you may want to checkmate the accommodation for. However, the most important are; It should be in line with your budget, It should be safe and secure, and it should be near to school and comfortable.
Yes, you can. If you don’t have the funds to pay for a single room to yourself, you can get a friend or another student to share with.
Conclusion
Searching for accommodation as a student is stressful. Not to mention, when you are looking for cheap student accommodation in Johannesburg.
This is why this guide on how to get cheap student accommodation is handy. If you follow these guidelines, you would not have issues getting accommodation for yourself whether on-campus or off-campus.
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