======= Date Modified 17 Sep 2011 13:03:11 =======
I kinda know how you feel. I have 3 weeks to move to Edinburgh and whereas where I live in Worcester (England), which isn't a million miles away at 29 I have 'baggage' to take.

The best way I can think of to sort it is to just take a suitcase and a couple of boxes of books and reassuring memorabilia. That should keep me going for my first term. But then I do have the option of a trip back. It depends if/when you are going to be able to afford to visit home. My partner of 12 years isn't going to be able to move up with me so I obviously am going to have a home from home. This does make me see it as just a 4 year trip. Yes it's going to be a lot of hard work in an alien world but it's for a fixed period and I'm not sure I want to set down roots there yet.
As for the accommodation search I'm a few days in to it I don't know if it helps but here's how I started:

Create an email address for all the spam your just about to sign-up to - free websites like gumtree make their money by sending you cr*p.
Don't rely on agents, a lot of them are just looking to make a fast buck from rich over protective parents, wanting nice secure accommodation for their darling undergraduates leaving home. Research the agents (get used to it you have signed up to 3 or 4 years) carefully, I've seen a lot of VERY bad reviews of student room letting companies. I don't know if you're starting 2011-2012 academic year but now this year’s undergraduate intake have gone in I've found a lot of agents have already let all their properties.

I have a few websites I'm on with at least some free to contact rooms and the ability for me to advertise my interest in rooms. These tend to be for flatshares, bedsits etc. Again, be sure to think about security there are a lot of scammers use the sites. Especially targeting overseas students who may not be able to afford to come and view a property. Most of the websites advise you to look out for:

*An advert seems very cheap for the area and the standard shown on the photos.
*The advertiser claims they cannot show you the room and pressurises you into signing and paying before you have seen anything.
*You are asked to pay anything via Western Union or any other money transfer system.
*You receive inconsistent emails where the English degenerates from the quality in the advert and initial email.

I'm not really recommending these sites - some of their business models seem a bit harsh and there some restrictions to free users. I'm not sure how much fraud goes on either but as long as I keep my wits about me and protect my interests I think I'll be OK!

www.Studentpad.co.uk - This was a link off my accommodation services website
www.spareroom.co.uk
http://uk.easyroommate.com
And obviously GumTree

Thanks Twanky I kinda thought so - I want to avoid getting sucked in if I can.

There is nothing you can do I had four interviews before I got a place. Try and get as much as you can out of the whole interview process it can be fun. But there is nothing worse than waiting to hear from the supervisors once its over. Try and spend time away from your inbox!

======= Date Modified 16 Sep 2011 22:15:03 =======
OK so I'm going to sound like a grumpy old man now I've just accepted my PhD place and I wonder do I need facebook? I am quite happy at having resisted it to date, it's always comes accorss as a bit socially parasitic. If anyone's ever seen the 'South Park' Facebook episode you'll know what I mean.

I suppose my real question is would it offer any networking benefits? Given its studious conception does it have any academic use? I'm not going to want to sign up to to a farm or post innapropriate pics. I know that your facebook profile can be of interest to future employers; it's best to be careful what you associate with and its difficult to delete your data - but is there any point???