You’re tired, you’re stressed, you’re studying for exams, you’re planning your holiday, and now you have to move student accommodation on top of that? No, thank you.
The end-of-year madness is one of the toughest times for a student, especially when student leases overlap in December. Not only do you have to pack and plan your move, but you also have to figure out how to do it quickly and on a student budget.
This usually ends up with defeated students reenacting that Friends episode with Ross yelling “PIVOT” as they try and fail to move his couch up the stairs.
But it doesn’t have to be like that. With a little bit of guidance and a helping hand, moving student accommodation in South Africa can be quick, simple, and stress-free.
This guide has everything you need to know, from the different types of student accommodation and how to move as a returning student, to understanding temporary holiday storage, and finding the best affordable moving team.
Here are the main types of student accommodation in South Africa, found at most universities, to help you figure out which option is best for you.
Student residences are usually located on campus and run by the university. Similar to a boarding school, they’ve several shared or single rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
They’re particularly popular among first years due to their low maintenance, affordability, and a structure and community they can slot into. However, older students tend to grow out of res, looking for a bit more freedom and autonomy.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Easy structure and support |
Limited space |
|
Proximity to campus |
Strict rules with noise and visitation |
|
Typically, the more affordable option |
Less privacy with shared dorms and bathrooms |
Private residences are a good in-between option to student residences and off-campus housing. They have the structure and support of a residence, but with a little more freedom and privacy.
Though each private residence is different, they typically offer single or shared flatlets with a private bathroom and kitchenette. Plus, they often also come with some really cool amenities, like a gym, pool, games room, braai area, laundry room, weekly cleaning, and parking.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Private kitchenette and bathroom |
Often quite small and plain |
|
Extra amenities like a pool, common room, gym, etc. |
Limited privacy and proximity to neighbours |
|
Mostly furnished |
Typically, the most expensive option |
Off-campus housing comes in all shapes and sizes, though it’s typically bigger and with more privacy than a residence. You can choose between extensive options of apartments, digs, or houses, so you’re likely to find something that suits both your budget and your priorities. Plus, you can make it your own.
Off-campus housing can be a bit trickier to find and secure, involving a fair amount of admin, such as dealing with landlords, paying utilities, organising wifi, and securing parking. Though off-campus can be a bit further from campus, some 3rd-year and postgraduate students prefer a bit of freedom outside the hustle and bustle of campus life.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Freedom to do what you want |
More admin to manage |
|
Typically larger with space for entertaining guests |
Extra costs like water, electricity, wifi, cleaning, security, etc. |
|
Various options based on your priorities. For example, living alone in a bachelor's or with a group of friends in a digs |
Requires more furniture if unfurnished |
To learn more about the student accommodation options for your specific university, check out our student accommodation guides for each university:
Though a returning student may be a bit more familiar with the lay of the land, it can still be tricky navigating the awkward transition at the end of the year.
You’ll have to move out before the residence closes after the exam period. While move-out day is usually a bit of a scramble, your residence’s holiday storage makes it a lot easier. You can store most of your belongings here over the holidays and take just your essentials home.
Moving out of a private residence or off-campus is a bit more complicated, as you often have to move out and move in all in one day. This is usually 1 December, meaning it’s either just after or during exams. Who has energy left at this point to move?
It also requires more admin, especially if you have a gap in your lease over the holidays, such as booking movers to move larger furniture items or organising temporary student storage. You can sort out both through Wise Move, your go-to student budget-friendly moving service provider.
Whether you need a place to put your belongings while moving, you have a few months between leases over summer, or you’re studying abroad for a semester, temporary student storage is a hack that not many students know about.
It allows you to put away and lock up your belongings for however long you need. Plus, you can rest easy at night knowing your stuff is safe and secure.
“We know how stressful year-end can be for students—juggling move-out dates, overlapping leases, or trips home between semesters,” says Chante Venter, CEO of Wise Move. “That’s why we’ve made it easier with verified moving teams offering dedicated student storage. From collection and secure storage to delivering your belongings right when you need them, our goal is to make transitions simple, affordable, and completely stress-free.”
The price of temporary storage for students in South Africa depends on your area, the type of storage, and the size of your belongings. However, you can expect:
While this may seem like an extra expense, just think how much you’re saving on rent.
There’s nothing worse than figuring out how to pack and move all your stuff while you’re in the middle of exams. Start by using our student moving checklist to plan your packing, cleaning and moving-day tasks, then hire professional movers to handle the heavy lifting. They can focus on the move while you focus on getting your degree.
Residences usually open in January or February, just before classes begin. You can move into off-campus housing anytime in the year, depending on your lease, though leases typically start on 1 December.
Yes, most residences do allow you to stay over the holidays, but at an extra charge for a short-term stay.
If your lease ends before the university year does, speak to your landlord early to request a short-term extension or arrange temporary student accommodation or storage until your new lease begins. Many student-focused movers offer flexible storage and transport options for these in-between periods.
Some movers do offer students discounts, especially those that provide student-specific moving services. Wise Move makes it easy to book budget-friendly student movers.
We know moving student accommodation can seem complicated and stressful, with endless admin to sort out between classes or study sessions. But if you use another student hack, compare and book the best student moving teams on Wise Move, for affordable, verified help across South Africa. This way, you can ace both your exam and your move.
Wise Move is South Africa’s leading moving service, helping thousands of customers with home moves, furniture removals, car and motorcycle transport, and more. Since 2017, we’ve been delivering reliable, affordable, and well-reviewed moving services in just a few simple steps. Our focus has always been on making moving as simple and effortless as possible for our customers.
