When deciding to attend NUIG, the first thing you need to do is start looking for somewhere to live. Housing in Galway is a serious issue. It isn't impossible to find something, however, it just means you need to be prepared to search.

It is important to note that Galway is experiencing a serious housing crisis and it is something that NUIG is trying to deal with. The university offers several ways to stay prepared and tips and tricks on securing somewhere through the student life sector of the website, but there are other places to look as well.

Although it can be a challenge to secure a room or apartment, there are ways to ensure you are prepared when beginning your search.

Places to Look

One great place to find housing is on Facebook. There is a Facebook called "Galway House Hunting for Sound People" and once you request to join, you can see all the available rooms and message the people trying to fill them.

It is important to watch out for scammers. Typically you can tell by the post if it is legit or not and using your best judgement, and also people in the group will comment their thoughts as to its legitimacy as well.

Make sure to check the locations in which people are posting the houses and or apartments and their proximity to Galway City Centre or NUIG.

Another great place to look is Daft.ie. This is like the Irish version of Zillow or Streeteasy. The apartments on here go quite fast and also can have scammers, so just be sure to be aware of that going into your search.

Daft.ie also offers a "shared" feature, where you can take a room in someone else's apartment or house. These are where the majority of the listings are, whereas full apartments and houses are harder to come by.

As Finja mentions in her interview, NUIG accommodation has a list of accommodation areas and their own tool for searching called "Studentpad." This is for off-campus housing in surrounding areas and they have a bunch of different search features to help you find all the desired qualities.

The above areas pictured typically have buses that run into Galway City Centre in order for students to get to the university, so don't rule those areas out!

Using connections is another way to find what you are looking for. If you know someone who studied there before, they most likely know people who are giving away a room. Don't be afraid to ask around!

When to Start Looking

In the spirit of being prepared, the search for a room or apartment should start around six months out from the desired move-in date. Don't be alarmed if you can't find anything until closer to the move-in date, here are some ways to find the perfect spot amidst this crisis.

As soon as you receive your acceptance, start looking. It is a challenge to find somewhere within budget, location and time frame in which you need it.

Don't be discouraged if there isn't anything as soon as you start, but be sure to check regularly in all of the places listed above and there is a higher chance of finding something you will love.

Waiting until the last second will not help you, people have had such trouble when waiting until the last second that they had to stay long-term in an Airbnb, hostel or hotel.

Just make sure you check regularly and use connections to try and secure a place. People who work in Galway like to switch their locations up and often will do so last minute, so it's always good to make connections for future use.

Just remember, the earlier, the better. You will find your home away from home away from home if you consistently check these places.