Where to Stay in Auckland

One of the first things you have to do when you get to Auckland is to look for a place to stay. If you were able to reserve with Accommodation Solutions before hand, then you're fine. But it's pretty hard to get in. All five of us Filipino scholars who enrolled at the University of Auckland failed to secure a room in the university's residence halls and apartments with Accommodation Solutions. Go figure.

If you don't have a place to stay when you get to Auckland, don't worry. The UoA international student advisor (as of 2013), Brian Lythe, will take care of you. He will book you for a temporary stay at Grafton Hall. Usually, for two weeks. Use this timeframe to secure your permanent accommodation.

Let's start with what the university provides for international post-grad students. First on the list is Grafton Hall.

Grafton Hall

I stayed in Grafton Hall for one week. It's your typical dorm building in the Philippines. Probably like Cervini in Ateneo or Ipil in UP Diliman, except Grafton is co-ed. There are twin-share or single room options. Single is always more expensive. Like any other dorm, toilets and showers are shared. The only thing different here in New Zealand is even the bathrooms are co-ed. Being Filipino I showered everyday. And it was so awkward for me to share the bathroom with females. The whole time I was there, wala akong nakasabay na lalake. Weird.

My single room in Grafton Hall.

Anyway, we're drifting out of topic. What sets Grafton apart from other dorms is it's fully catered. Which means there's a cafeteria which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. This kind of package comes with a high price tag though. A single room will cost you NZ$684 every 2 weeks (ganun sila mag-bill dito, every 2 weeks. They call it "fortnightly.") However, if you're like me, who find it easier to compute by the week, Grafton will set you back NZ$342/week.

NZ$342/week is pretty steep. It'll take a big chunk from your stipend. So unless you get a part-time job or bring some extra cash over to NZ, it's pretty hard to stay in Grafton. Another thing, this dorm is located south of the city campus. It's a bit of a walk to Arts, Business, Law and Engineering (give or take 15 minutes). Having said that, Grafton Hall is close to the med school. So if you're taking medicine or any of the allied sciences, then Grafton would be a good option for you.

Like any kind of accommodation, there are other miscellaneous fees. The security deposit is usually NZ$650, while the administration fee is NZ$100. There's also a residential services fee, but the price varies from dorm to dorm.

Now don't worry, you'll receive an establishment allowance precisely to defray these expenses.

Next on the list is International House. It is similar to Grafton as it is a fully-catered hall of residence. The good thing about this dorm is that it's closer to City Campus--only a few minutes from the Faculty of Engineering. A single room costs NZ$340/week. A bit cheaper than Grafton, but still expensive.

Then there's Parnell Student Village. This is more of a shared apartment than a dorm. It only houses 91 residents compared to over 200 in Grafton. Each apartment has 5 bedrooms. There are common kitchen and dining areas. One week is NZ$220. It's way cheap compared to Grafton, but only because it's not catered AND it's the farthest away from City Campus. It's in Parnell! You have to take public transport or ride a bike to get to your class. But, if you dig museums, cafes, upscale restaurants and shopping, then Parnell is for you.

Park Road Student Flats is another apartment-style accommodation. It is located near Grafton Hall. This is what I reserved months before the start of the sem. I wanted to stay here because each room had its own bathroom. I prefer to have my own bathroom. Weekly rent cost a reasonable NZ$240. Unfortunately, I did not get in the short list. As the apartment can only accommodate 29 students, competition for a room is fierce. 

The Royal is for postgrad students who bring their families with them. An apartment has its own kitchen, dining room, living room and bathroom. There are only 6 apartments and a one bedroom unit is NZ$288/week. It is located near Park Road Student Flats and Grafton Hall.

University Hall Apartments is a cross between Grafton Hall and Parnell Student Village. Like Grafton, it's a high-rise. But like Parnell Student Village, each floor houses an apartment shared by 5 students. Each person has his own room, and then there are shared facilities like a kitchen, a dining area and a bathroom. University Hall Apartments is located exactly behind the Faculty of Engineering, near International House. One week there costs NZ$220.

An new option for 2014 is Carlaw Park Student Village. It is the newest and biggest student accommodation of the University of Auckland. It will be home to 433 students, who can choose between two-, three- or four-bedroom apartments. It is located at the foot of Auckland Domain, and quite a walk to City Campus. No room rate yet as of this article's writing.

Unilodge

Last among UoA Student Accommodations is Unilodge, where I eventually ended up. There are two reasons why I chose to stay here. First, it is the closest to City Campus. It is 3 minutes from Law or Arts and 5 minutes from Kate Edger Information Commons. It's so convenient. Second, each studio has its own bathroom (have I mentioned that that's important to me?). They offer a deluxe studio which has its own kitchen, but is way too expensive for me. A single room was NZ$254/week, but management recently raised it. When you come it will set you back NZ$280/week.

My room with a view of Parnell and Auckland Domain.

My room came with a TV, a microwave, a mini-ref and a bathroom.

Now if none of these interest you, don't worry. There are other options. There are apartments, not under the university's supervision, that cater to college and postgrad students. One is Scholar Apartments. It is located in Mount Street, very near AUT and a five-minute walk to Kate Edger Information Commons. Scholar is also near Queen Street, particularly the Civic Centre, where the cinemas are. The building has 3-, 2-, and 1-bedroom apartments. Some of the Filipino scholars stayed here. When I inquired a studio unit was NZ$240/week. 

Another alternative is Empire Apartments. It is located in Whitaker Place, next to International House. The apartment offers 3-bedroom and studio units. Another Filipino scholar stays here with Malaysian roommates. I don't have the rates to this apartment, but I hear it is affordable (less than NZ$200/week).

Now, those are the good, clean and affordable private apartment buildings. If you can't secure a place in any of those I mentioned, there are still other options, but be warned. They are cheap alright, but not well kept. They are Princeton Apartments along Symonds Street, and Railway Campus Apartments near Beach Road. A room can go as low as NZ$130/week, which is a good deal, but don't expect much on the looks department.

But don't take my word for it. This blog post is just a primer, to introduce you to some of the accommodation options available when you get here. If you are unable to secure a room with the university, then walk around town on your first week. Visit Scholar, Empire, Princeton, Columbia, Railway, and check out the rooms yourself. If it looks fine to you and the price is right, then take it. If not, walk some more. You're bound to find something.

So, good luck. I hope this was helpful.