I took the room because it was what I could afford. The shared spaces were much dirtier than the photos suggested. Several things did not work. For a while, a basic utility was unreliable. The response to every complaint seemed to be that the rent was low, as if a lower price cancelled the idea of a minimum standard. I spent most of my time in my room or at the library. That protected my focus, but it also meant I was paying for a home I avoided. When people advise students to choose the cheapest option, I understand the maths. I also know poor housing creates costs in time, health, comfort, laundry, travel, and the energy required to keep asking for repairs. I am looking for something better. Until then, my clean room is a small country with a closed border.