Dormitory
Many educational institutions provide dormitories for their students. These are mostly complexes with rooms for one, two or more people, shared bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, recreation area and Internet, as well as the necessary furniture. A distinctive feature is the location of the dormitory and the availability of all services of the educational institution (library, computer room, meeting rooms, café, gymnasium). Some top universities in New Zealand can accommodate not only single students, but also couples and even small families.
Homestay
A financially advantageous option is to live in the home of an English-speaking family. This option is also good for practicing English, and it helps to adapt to life in a new environment. It provides a private room with simple furniture, shared shower and toilet facilities, plus internet access. The cost usually includes two meals a day on weekdays and three on weekends. This way, the student doesn’t have to worry about the issue of sustenance and can concentrate on his or her studies.
Accommodation in student dormitories
Not all, but some institutions in New Zealand have their own student dormitories. Sometimes with shared rooms for several people, sometimes with private rooms. Usually with a simple set of furniture: a bed, a desk, a chair, a closet. Showers and toilets are most often shared by several rooms. A kitchen, laundry facilities, a common entertainment room, and internet access are available for students. This option is convenient for students who have come alone and would not want to spend time traveling to their studies. Some top universities in New Zealand can accommodate not only single students, but also couples and even small families.
Hostel
A low-cost accommodation option, somewhat similar to a hostel, simply located independently of the institution. Rooms can be designed for one person or several (maximum 6-8 people). A private room is provided, usually with a small bed, desk, nightstand and TV. Shared shower and toilet, per compartment or per floor. More expensive rooms may have separate showers and toilets. Shared kitchen and a small cafe. In the kitchen you can cook your own food, in the cafe you can order ready-made food. Internet is paid separately.
Apartment
It is rare to live in apartments in New Zealand on a permanent basis, preferring individual houses. However, living in the city center, within walking distance of your place of study, is a convenient option. You can always find apartments in the city center to suit your tastes. The most inexpensive option is a studio, where one room is both a bedroom and a living room. Or one bedroom apartments, where the bedroom is separate. It is always more comfortable and easier to live separately, but a little more expensive. In addition, you should not forget that in addition to the cost of rent, you will need to pay for electricity, water and internet bills. One of the advantages of apartments is the comfortable temperature in winter, most likely, you will not even have to use heating devices as with other accommodation options, so the energy bills in winter and off-season will be lower.
Unit
The key difference between a unit and an apartment is a separate entrance and sometimes a small private courtyard. It is like a house divided into several sections – apartments. It can also be an annex to a house or a self-sufficient part of it (granny flat). The cost of a unit, as a rule, will be slightly more expensive than apartments. Most often there is a complete lack of furniture.
Townhouse
A townhouse is already a separate house of 2-3 floors. But often with a common wall with neighbors. Quite a comfortable place to live. Townhouses look like houses glued to each other. Often come with sunny loggias and small private yards.
House
Houses in New Zealand can be very different. The older the house, the more likely you are to end up with damp and cold housing. New and warm houses are rented less often, but they are still available, it will just take you longer to find one. In addition, at the moment landlords are obliged to gradually insulate the housing they rent out, but this does not happen immediately. This consists of insulating the floors and ceiling.