10 SQUARE FEET

10 SQUARE FEET

Best part of student’s life in Bangalore is the weather. You can’t help but admire the pleasant and peaceful weather. But this beauty is swiftly engrossed by the claustrophobic and vexatious hostel rooms.

Various key elements while choosing a hostel/accommodation are overlooked. This leads to a suffering of at least a year or in some cases for the entirety of your course.

Through these chain of articles we wish to educate students about the elements to look for while choosing your accommodation. You would find experience, reviews and tips shared here.

‘Don’t worry!
Whether you are new to Bangalore or first time shifting to a hostel/accommodation.
We are here to help you.'

This is the moto we abide to.
10 SQUARE FEET ; to be more specific 10 square feet and four to eight legs. This is literally the best way to summarise the living situation for students here in SG Palya. Developers have legit no intention of providing a healthy living environment for the students. Believe me all they care about is to maximise their capital,  hence you end up living in a ‘stuffed hens coop’ situation. And it’s not at all healthy especially with all the testosterone rushing through our body. In other words it’s SMELLY, UNHYGIENIC and really bad for our physical and mental health.
Now, by the term ‘space’ I refer to a variety of essential space required for a healthy living environment. For instance its equally important to have a proper ventilation space as much as common living space. These are the key elements I mentioned earlier let’s see in details about them.

BEDROOM SPACE
Unless your common space and bedroom is the same (i.e. you don’t have a common area AKA Drawing room) bedroom space is the place to start with. The Ratio of Student per room is crucial, it is best to go for double sharing. Unless you are getting a considerably larger room with triple sharing (very often you don’t). Now in room check for the space for your belongings. Please don’t ever compromise with the cupboard space. Believe me your clothes and other essentials will require space, if not now then in future. Be clear about the cupboard space, how will it be shared etc or else you will end up fighting with your roommates. If you feel you need more space then feel free to let them know about it before registering for the room.
Once you are done with the cupboard check for ventilation in the room. Don’t go for a room without a window or other source of ventilation else you will definitely regret it later.
WASHROOM SPACE
Washroom was my biggest concern after I checked some PGs and hostels in the area. My mom and I were literally shocked by the condition of washrooms. Most of them were far from even qualifying for minimum space required to bath. Apart from space look for cleanliness and whether everything works or not (please do check the flush, it might not work!). Finally when everything is proper then be clear about how many people will share it. Its ideal to have 1 Bathroom for maximum 2 people, unless you wish to wait for your turn to get ready in the morning( be ready to miss the first hour).

COMMON SPACE
If you get a common space (most of the time you won’t) check for space required to keep bags or any other furniture you wish to bring (shoe rack, tables etc). As mentioned very often you wont get a common area, please avoid those places if possible. You don’t wish to be in same room with you roommates at all time. Its good for your mental health to move around.
Till now I have talked about the essentials. Like these are the ‘Roti, Kapra, Makan’ of space you need to look for. From here on I will talk about space which new developers are providing and it’s really a blessing for students.
CHILL ZONE/RESTING AREA
Whatever its called in your place of stay, be happy if you have it. This is the place to be, when you want to relax or just hangout with your friends. It is generally equipped with yoga mats, some sort of gaming activity, hammock chair etc. In short, you will love it and I personally love being here all the time. If some accommodation is providing this then go for it(you will thank me later!).

GYM
For boys hostel this is a hot point which everyone ask about. Most of them will say either they have or it will be placed after you join. Don’t believe them, ask them to show where they have it or planning to make. It happened to me. I was in a very expensive Hostel and they said that we will have gym by the time your session stars. Its been two years since, they don’t have a gym. They asked me to go some other branch of their hostel. Even their they did not have proper equipment not even a simple treadmill.
Please enquire about these aspects before hand don’t rely on their words.
All the best!