Exeter is a much smaller place than London, and renting there works differently. The student market follows the university year, rents are lower, and most students in their second and third years share a house rather than a flat.
Keep reading as we guide London students moving to Exeter for second year, a transfer or a master’s, and for the parents or guarantors helping them.
How Far a London Budget Stretches in Exeter?
If you are used to London rents, Exeter will probably come as a relief. Save the Student’s 2025 survey found London to be the most expensive region in the UK for student rent.
In Exeter, the same budget often gets you more space, and sometimes a house with a garden rather than a room in a cramped flat.
When you compare student accommodation in Exeter with what you would pay at home, look closely at what the rent covers. Many private houses quote rent without bills, so energy, water and Wi-Fi come on top.
Ask each landlord or agent what previous tenants paid for bills, then add that to the rent before comparing houses. Also, decide as a group what your budget should go towards:
- a bigger room than you could get in London
- a house with a living room and a garden
- bills included, so there is one fixed payment each month
Trading a London Flat Share for an Exeter House
Most London students share flats, often with people they have found online. In Exeter, second and third-years usually rent a whole house with a group of friends.
Exeter does have some larger properties, but most residential areas are made up of four- or five-bedroom houses. You will get a shared kitchen and living room, and your housemates will be on the same term dates and exam timetable as you.
If you are comparing Exeter student houses, Student Cribs has homes in the city for second and third-year students.
Many Exeter houses are older terraces, so ask about heating, insulation and damp at every viewing. Also, check the EPC rating. A house that seems cosy in September can feel very different in January.
Why Exeter’s House Hunt Runs on the University Calendar?
London rooms come up all year round, so you can usually look a month or two before you move. Exeter is different, because student houses are let in batches for the next academic year.
The Students’ Guild notes that Exeter’s housing market starts very early, from late October, but it still advises students to take their time.
That advice is worth taking seriously. The University says there is plenty of student housing in Exeter and that it is better to take your time than to panic and pick the wrong place.
The rules have also changed for private student houses in England. For new tenancies, landlords can take no more than one month’s rent in advance once the tenancy has been entered into. Check the details on GOV.UK or Shelter before you sign anything.
Picking an Area When You’ve Only Visited Once
In London, you probably choose where to live by the nearest Tube station. In Exeter, it is mostly about walking, and the hills make a difference.
Popular student areas include St James, Pennsylvania, Newtown, Heavitree and St Leonards. Each has a different walk to the Streatham campus, St Luke’s or the city centre.
Some student houses in Exeter that look close on a map involve a steep climb. Others are further away but have a flatter, easier route.
One Exeter student points out that some of the nicest houses are a 25-minute walk from campus, which can suit you if you do not mind the exercise.
Before you shortlist an area, check:
- the walking route to your lectures, not just the distance
- how busy and noisy the street is on a weekend evening
- how close it is to a supermarket
Viewing and Signing From 200 Miles Away
Living in London makes it harder to see houses in person, but you can work around it.
Ask for a video viewing first, and have the agent or a current tenant walk you through every room, including the bathroom and the boiler.
Exeter students also suggest asking current tenants about any known problems and when deposits are usually returned.
Then plan one well-organised day trip by train to see your shortlist in person. Before you travel, have your guarantor forms ready and your questions written down.
The Students’ Guild also warns against sending money or agreeing to rent anywhere until you have checked that the property and the person letting it are genuine.
Getting Home to London Without Blowing Your Budget
Trains from Exeter St Davids go direct to London Paddington. Fares vary a lot depending on when you travel, so book ahead whenever you can and avoid peak times on Fridays and Sundays.
If you are 25 or under, or a full-time mature student, a 16-25 Railcard can take a third off most fares. Coaches are slower but usually cheaper.
Add trips home to your housing budget. If you plan to go back for reading weeks, birthdays or part-time work, those fares add up over the year.
What’s more, a house near Exeter St Davids or a good bus route can make those trips easier, especially with a heavy bag at the end of term.
When Moving Straight Into a House May Not Suit You?
A house is not always the best first step. If you are transferring or starting a master’s and do not know anyone in Exeter yet, signing for a house with strangers you have met online is a risk.
Purpose-built student residences, which are similar to university halls, are another option for returning students. A term in one of those can give you time to meet people before you commit to a house.
Settling Into Life in Exeter
Moving from London to Exeter usually means more space for your money, but a different way of finding a home.
Set your budget with bills included, get to know the areas, and use video calls and one well-planned visit to judge houses properly.
Above all, take your time and only sign once you are sure about the house and the people you will share it with.
