- Arranged a proper virtual tour, so the place got a real look rather than a scroll through a few listing photos.
- Told him straight that an "entire place" near UCD tends to run above his budget, and there was no point booking something that wouldn't hold up once fees and bills were added.
- Pointed him toward a private ensuite in a shared flat instead, which fits his number and still keeps most of the privacy he was after
- Made clear the local guarantor requirement stays the same no matter which room type he ends up choosing
What a Virtual Tour Actually Covers
Since Abijith wasn't able to visit in person before deciding, the virtual tour became the main way to actually judge the space. This typically includes:
- A walk-through of the room itself, not just the communal areas shown in marketing shots
- A look at natural light, storage, and the bathroom setup
- Views of the building's common spaces, if relevant to the room type
- A general sense of the street and immediate surroundings
It's worth asking for this a few days ahead of any booking deadline, since coordinating a live tour with the on-site team takes a bit of scheduling.
Studio vs Shared Ensuite - Comparison
|
Features |
Studio / Entire Place |
Private Ensuite in Shared Flat |
|
Typical Dublin price |
From ~€233–247/week |
From ~€165/week |
|
Privacy |
Full privacy, own kitchen |
Own room and bathroom, shared kitchen/living |
|
Guarantor Required |
Yes |
Yes |
Properties Worth Considering
- Hazelwood Student Village – Ensuite rooms from around €165/week, close to Dublin's northside transport links with bills included. Comfortably within budget, and a good fit if sharing a flat isn't a dealbreaker.
- Ardcairn House – A genuine studio/ensuite setup, closer to the "entire place" Abijith originally wanted. Starts around €319/week, though, just above his stated range, so it's mainly worth a look to see what a slightly higher budget would get him.