In your search to find the best student accommodation, you will come across some accommodation that is not at all suitable. Perhaps one accommodation does not suit you because it is too far away from your university and you discard another because it does not have the space you need as a student.

Whatever the reason, it is important to bear in mind that not all student accommodation will adapt 100% to your expectations. In order to recognise those accommodations that are not suitable at all, we recommend that you pay attention to the following aspects:

1. Poor quality furnishings

Before choosing a student accommodation, we recommend that you arrange a visit to see everything. From the rooms available to the facilities and common areas of the building.

If you can’t attend an in-person visit, view photos of the rooms and facilities online. This will help you see the style of the accommodation and get a general idea of the quality of the furnishings.

Look at the size and structure of the beds, the shape of the desk, the design of the desk chair… Don’t overlook any detail. The trick is to imagine yourself living in those spaces and using that furniture. If at first glance you feel uncomfortable, it’s a sign that you should keep looking, because the last thing you need as a university student is to live uncomfortably.

If you are interested in seeing what the LIV Student Polo Universitario accommodation looks like, take a look at the virtual tour available on our website. You can also schedule a visit by accessing the contact information on the site.

2. Rooms not suitable for students

A student room cannot be the same as a private room. If the accommodation you are visiting offers a simple room like any other, turn around and leave the way you came in.

Student rooms should have furnishings and spaces adapted to the needs of university students. In addition to the bed, your room should have:

• Desk
• Ergonomic desk chair
• Desk lamp
• Bookshelves
• Cork or board for notes and jottings

At LIV Student, in addition to that, we have included other elements to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Among them, you will find total darkness blinds to guarantee you a good night’s sleep, a full-length mirror, a dining table and chair, and a private bathroom.

Keep in mind that you’ll be spending a lot of your time in your room, so it’s important that it’s comfortable. Otherwise, keep looking.

3. Accommodation without a kitchen

Although university students do not have much time to cook, it is important that accommodation includes at least a small kitchenette equipped with an induction hob, refrigerator and microwave.

The main reason for this is that it frees you from the need to go out of the accommodation for food. Imagine always having to eat out. It would not only be a hassle but also an extra expense of money.

A good student accommodation in Porto will give you the option to cook your own food whenever you want.

4. Poor attention from staff

When you visit a student accommodation, pay attention to the attention given by the staff in charge of guiding you during your visit. If they are polite and friendly, you are sure to be treated that way when you are one of their residents. And in the event of any inconvenience, they will be willing to help you.

On the other hand, if you are treated in an unfriendly and distant manner, there is little chance that it will improve. And if you are presented with an inconvenience for which you require assistance, they are also unlikely to be interested in helping you.

5. Low security standards

Security is an important factor in student accommodation. Every day students come in and out of the building at different times, so it is essential that the accommodation you choose has security staff.

The security guards are responsible for making sure that everyone who enters is a resident or at least a family member or friend of one of them. At LIV Student, in addition to having security staff, we have closed-circuit security cameras to monitor what goes on inside and outside the building.

6. Inconvenient location

It is best if your student accommodation is located close to your campus or faculty. Even if you find an accommodation with good furnishings, care and security, if it’s far from your university, it won’t be worth living there.

That is why LIV Student accommodation in Porto is located in Paranhos, the university area of the city. This neighbourhood is home to most of the city’s faculties and institutes of higher education, so you can probably live just a few streets away by staying in one of our accommodations.