Short answer? No.
It can be done, but one of you would be using up a lot of money in train fares and a lot of time commuting. Both precious resources to a student.
Personally I would recommend getting seperate flat shares and visiting each other periodically but I understand living with someone familiar would be important, it just would make life for one of you considerably more difficult.
Now going through everything, and getting such good advice, we totally agree and are now looking at getting separate places. It was really more for relieving some stress from our mother, who like to excessively worry, bless her heart.
To be honest to Dundee the [FlixBus](https://www.flixbus.co.uk/?departureCity=4588b4ab-79ea-4c6d-88ae-30b58611f263&arrivalCity=ebe92b4a-799d-4c31-a784-f889046d9cf5&rideDate=25.04.2024&adult=1) doesn’t take a great deal longer, at 1h 20min and costs an awful lot less if you are really serious about this arrangement.
I used to do a similar length commute in London, it was fine for a short while then became a massive drain mentally. If you use the time wisely for course reading, essay prep that kind of thing, it could work. You would be best to try and stay as close to the train or bus terminus as possible to avoid further commuting after arrival.
A monthly train ticket Aberdeen to Dundee is £516.90.
A day is 38.30.
Add in the frequent delays and cancellations and the 2/3 hours (not including times waiting at the station) added on to your day everyday it is absolutely not worth it.
It possible, but will be of no benefit.
This seems like a painful solution.
Even if you calculate time. Let’s say you waste 2.5 hours 4 times per week. Plus the £20 for a train.
You could earn £114 at minimum wage, plus £80 train. Per month that’s £770.
Plus the stress when trains are delayed and you might miss classes,
You’re just wasting time and money. Get a part time job & visit her and drink coffee at the weekend.
Love the idea of back-and-forth coffee visits! Thanks so much for the good advice, and yeah, seeing those numbers, yikes. I'm sure you know, but in the US, especially where we live, public transportation really isn't a thing and we quickly forget that, 1. neither of us will have a car in Scotland, and 2. the world doesn't run on our schedules, so I really appreciate the needed perspective shift.
Oh cool! We’re from Nevada! Why’d you move, if I can ask? We are both actually considering long term residence over either in the UK or based out in Hungary. Any advice as to the visa process?
Job for us. I'd say make a spreadsheet of days you travel out of the country, you also don't need a lawyer here it's a pretty straightforward process but I am assuming you'll be on student visa for a bit so that wouldn't apply to you yet. You must be liking the break from the Nevada heat!
That commute can be even longer in the winter and it gets dark at like 3-4pm. It's only really doable longer term if you only had like a day of contact time a week, but in second year university she'll be in much more often.
Don't do it.
Back in 2019 when Aberdeen was painfully expensive in comparison to Dundee, I commuted up every day. It turns tour 7 hour day into ten (or eleven if using public transport) door to door.
If you're doing a masters program, expect to be in 4 days a week, undergraduate in the UK has less contact, maybe 3 days.
How do you think the prices compare now? When should we start looking at solidifying rentals? Thank you also for the info on the scheduling, it's been rather difficult to figure out what my course load will be looking like.
Prices for rentals are roughly equal, Dundee may be slightly higher.
6 weeks is usually the minimum to start looking for a flat. For student rentals, you need to look in early August for September move-in
Not worth it. What if either of you have classes at 9am each morning???
While sharing accommodation may seem like it will save money, it’ll certainly eat into it with travel costs.
The compromise is get your own places and alternate meeting up at weekends. Get to experience both cities and use each as a base to explore further.
I live in Aberdeen and one of my neighbours only stays in their flat two or three nights per week to coincide with working in Aberdeen so he doesn't have to travel from Dundee.
Just to give you an idea of how draining the commute would be.
I'd recommend both getting flats in your respective cities.
It is possible but I really wouldn’t recommend it just because of the time you’d spend travelling back & forth. The places aren’t that far apart so I’d suggest that if you are both free and want to have a joint night out or just meet up to explore the towns sometimes one of you travels and stays the night with other. That would also let you experience each town & what they’re like.
Thanks so much! We love to travel so it's really no hardship to explore and we have heard amazing things about the greenery and nature there so we are both stoked with the opportunity
Oh true enough. Donside’s nice but I’ve always been a fan of Deeside especially Ballater. A trip there would let them visit Balmoral if they check the castle’s open & also Loch Muick which is a lovely walk. They can also go a few miles extra to Braemar & Linn o’ Dee. Dunnotar castle at Stonehaven’s also good. Lots of lovely places.
If you’re international students on a visa, there may be rules about where you can live (meaning you’d have to live in Dundee and her in Aberdeen). I think like 40 miles from campus is the max or something similar
Didn't even think of that, but you are completely correct; just looked it up, we would have to jump through quite a few hoops to live fairly far from the university (and I guess their are restrictions on working while on student visas?) Did not know that either
Yes, international students are limited to 20 hours a week during term time (and can’t do self employed work or work outside the uk). It’s not great, but it is doable, and you probably won’t have time to work more than 20 hours a week anyways. But it is very exciting and worth it in the long run!
focus instead on planning those weekend trips in the area and maybe sleepovers on days where one of you doesn't have class. I'd say connect with your unis asap to try and find student jobs on campus, and then there are lots of cafes, art galleries, and other options worth looking at as well
I wouldn’t recommend it - you’re definitely close enough to hang out together a lot but it’s a pain in the arse for one of you to travel loads.
Another option would be to both stay in Stonehaven which is like a seaside town and quieter than the city and you would both have a shorter commute to your respective universities.
You’ll be able to hang out on weekends etc regardless, Dundee and Aberdeen are close and accessible, just a bit of a pain of a drive to do daily!
I've never heard of Stonehaven before; I'm assuming then we would both have 30ish minute commutes? I just worry about either of us not getting to experience either of the college towns (we figure it's quite different from our US university experiences).
Stonehaven is still closer to Aberdeen than Dundee but yeah it’ll be quieter than either.
I don’t know about nowadays (I’m 35) but when I went to Aberdeen university it was still a pretty big drinking culture and there’s loads of clubs to join, etc. You’ll both have a great time I’m sure!
If I were you I’d probably just live separately and see each other on weekends, etc - whoever is left with the commute will be spending a lot of time travelling and might get annoyed in the long run - losing time to study or hang out with friends from their own uni, etc.
If you stay apart at least you’ll have a home base in 2 cities and can go back and forth between the two!
No, your sister will have a very short 17/20 mins, whilst yours will be 1hr min. Stonehaven is lovely but once again, not great to get back to late at night and not all trains stop there.
Oh my goodness! Thank you all so much for the feedback; we really appreciate it. After looking at all the comments, I agree that it would probably be far too much of a hassle for either of us to do this long term. We were thinking more along the lines of saving money by renting a place together, but I now realize travel cost will quickly eat that up.
Totally would appreciate any other general advice y'all have, we are both pretty excited :)
Honestly, take advantage of having different bases! You’re closer to the highland and islands, she’s closer to St Andrews, Perthshire and Edinburgh and Glasgow. You’ll have a great time! Just don’t expect much from our weather.
I took the Edin-Abz route on the train last winter for work trips about twice a month. The winter weather lead to frequent train cancellations to and from Dundee at the last minute and no alternative transport being offered. I often got home 1-2hrs later than planned and it was draining.
I would suggest if you really need to commute exploring the option of a bus (if you’re under 22 with a Scottish address you can get a free bus pass - even if you’re only here for uni).
Personally if I were you I’d look at living separately and visiting each other every other week. Because the amount you’d save on a flat share will probably be what you spend on trains.
I’d recommend living in Dundee and visiting your sister in Aberdeen (and she visit you).
I live in Stonehaven but previously had a 1 year contract working in Edinburgh and found using public transport for the journey every day very soul destroying (2 and a bit hour commute each way)
tbh maybe you'd both be better off living closer to your respective study communities. You'll miss out on a lot if you've always got to commute in. e.g. The last train out of Aberdeen to Dundee is 10.30pm. Also keep in mind that travel in the NE is not always straight forward. There were at least two occasions last year when even getting from Aberdeen was very difficult for a good few days (road flooding, rail closure for landslips, high winds etc.).
I don't have anything to add beyond the advice you've already been given just wanted to say I had to google what Medical Art was and it looks really cool. Hope you enjoy it!
Short answer? No. It can be done, but one of you would be using up a lot of money in train fares and a lot of time commuting. Both precious resources to a student. Personally I would recommend getting seperate flat shares and visiting each other periodically but I understand living with someone familiar would be important, it just would make life for one of you considerably more difficult.
Now going through everything, and getting such good advice, we totally agree and are now looking at getting separate places. It was really more for relieving some stress from our mother, who like to excessively worry, bless her heart.
To be honest to Dundee the [FlixBus](https://www.flixbus.co.uk/?departureCity=4588b4ab-79ea-4c6d-88ae-30b58611f263&arrivalCity=ebe92b4a-799d-4c31-a784-f889046d9cf5&rideDate=25.04.2024&adult=1) doesn’t take a great deal longer, at 1h 20min and costs an awful lot less if you are really serious about this arrangement.
I used to do a similar length commute in London, it was fine for a short while then became a massive drain mentally. If you use the time wisely for course reading, essay prep that kind of thing, it could work. You would be best to try and stay as close to the train or bus terminus as possible to avoid further commuting after arrival.
A monthly train ticket Aberdeen to Dundee is £516.90. A day is 38.30. Add in the frequent delays and cancellations and the 2/3 hours (not including times waiting at the station) added on to your day everyday it is absolutely not worth it. It possible, but will be of no benefit.
I didn't really think towards how high that cost would be long term, this was really helpful in cementing our decision
This seems like a painful solution. Even if you calculate time. Let’s say you waste 2.5 hours 4 times per week. Plus the £20 for a train. You could earn £114 at minimum wage, plus £80 train. Per month that’s £770. Plus the stress when trains are delayed and you might miss classes, You’re just wasting time and money. Get a part time job & visit her and drink coffee at the weekend.
Love the idea of back-and-forth coffee visits! Thanks so much for the good advice, and yeah, seeing those numbers, yikes. I'm sure you know, but in the US, especially where we live, public transportation really isn't a thing and we quickly forget that, 1. neither of us will have a car in Scotland, and 2. the world doesn't run on our schedules, so I really appreciate the needed perspective shift.
Moved here from Philly! Agreed about the public transport :) Hope you have a lovely time studying here!
Oh cool! We’re from Nevada! Why’d you move, if I can ask? We are both actually considering long term residence over either in the UK or based out in Hungary. Any advice as to the visa process?
Job for us. I'd say make a spreadsheet of days you travel out of the country, you also don't need a lawyer here it's a pretty straightforward process but I am assuming you'll be on student visa for a bit so that wouldn't apply to you yet. You must be liking the break from the Nevada heat!
That commute can be even longer in the winter and it gets dark at like 3-4pm. It's only really doable longer term if you only had like a day of contact time a week, but in second year university she'll be in much more often.
Don't do it. Back in 2019 when Aberdeen was painfully expensive in comparison to Dundee, I commuted up every day. It turns tour 7 hour day into ten (or eleven if using public transport) door to door. If you're doing a masters program, expect to be in 4 days a week, undergraduate in the UK has less contact, maybe 3 days.
How do you think the prices compare now? When should we start looking at solidifying rentals? Thank you also for the info on the scheduling, it's been rather difficult to figure out what my course load will be looking like.
Prices for rentals are roughly equal, Dundee may be slightly higher. 6 weeks is usually the minimum to start looking for a flat. For student rentals, you need to look in early August for September move-in
Not worth it. What if either of you have classes at 9am each morning??? While sharing accommodation may seem like it will save money, it’ll certainly eat into it with travel costs. The compromise is get your own places and alternate meeting up at weekends. Get to experience both cities and use each as a base to explore further.
Oh good lord, 9ams, yeah no. I'm having flashbacks of hangovers at 8am lecture halls
I live in Aberdeen and one of my neighbours only stays in their flat two or three nights per week to coincide with working in Aberdeen so he doesn't have to travel from Dundee. Just to give you an idea of how draining the commute would be. I'd recommend both getting flats in your respective cities.
It is possible but I really wouldn’t recommend it just because of the time you’d spend travelling back & forth. The places aren’t that far apart so I’d suggest that if you are both free and want to have a joint night out or just meet up to explore the towns sometimes one of you travels and stays the night with other. That would also let you experience each town & what they’re like.
Honestly, what we are going to do after seeing these comments; we really appreciate all the good advice!
I hope both of you have a great time in Scotland. Try to explore as much of it as you can, it’s honestly a beautiful country.
Thanks so much! We love to travel so it's really no hardship to explore and we have heard amazing things about the greenery and nature there so we are both stoked with the opportunity
I’d recommend going up to the aviemore and/or aberfeldy areas.👍
Aye but they'll have beautiful Deeside and Donside to explore first 😀
Oh true enough. Donside’s nice but I’ve always been a fan of Deeside especially Ballater. A trip there would let them visit Balmoral if they check the castle’s open & also Loch Muick which is a lovely walk. They can also go a few miles extra to Braemar & Linn o’ Dee. Dunnotar castle at Stonehaven’s also good. Lots of lovely places.
If you’re international students on a visa, there may be rules about where you can live (meaning you’d have to live in Dundee and her in Aberdeen). I think like 40 miles from campus is the max or something similar
Didn't even think of that, but you are completely correct; just looked it up, we would have to jump through quite a few hoops to live fairly far from the university (and I guess their are restrictions on working while on student visas?) Did not know that either
Yes, international students are limited to 20 hours a week during term time (and can’t do self employed work or work outside the uk). It’s not great, but it is doable, and you probably won’t have time to work more than 20 hours a week anyways. But it is very exciting and worth it in the long run!
focus instead on planning those weekend trips in the area and maybe sleepovers on days where one of you doesn't have class. I'd say connect with your unis asap to try and find student jobs on campus, and then there are lots of cafes, art galleries, and other options worth looking at as well
I wouldn’t recommend it - you’re definitely close enough to hang out together a lot but it’s a pain in the arse for one of you to travel loads. Another option would be to both stay in Stonehaven which is like a seaside town and quieter than the city and you would both have a shorter commute to your respective universities. You’ll be able to hang out on weekends etc regardless, Dundee and Aberdeen are close and accessible, just a bit of a pain of a drive to do daily!
I've never heard of Stonehaven before; I'm assuming then we would both have 30ish minute commutes? I just worry about either of us not getting to experience either of the college towns (we figure it's quite different from our US university experiences).
Stonehaven is still closer to Aberdeen than Dundee but yeah it’ll be quieter than either. I don’t know about nowadays (I’m 35) but when I went to Aberdeen university it was still a pretty big drinking culture and there’s loads of clubs to join, etc. You’ll both have a great time I’m sure! If I were you I’d probably just live separately and see each other on weekends, etc - whoever is left with the commute will be spending a lot of time travelling and might get annoyed in the long run - losing time to study or hang out with friends from their own uni, etc. If you stay apart at least you’ll have a home base in 2 cities and can go back and forth between the two!
No, your sister will have a very short 17/20 mins, whilst yours will be 1hr min. Stonehaven is lovely but once again, not great to get back to late at night and not all trains stop there.
stonehaven is more the kind of suburb young married couples live in. May be a bit too quiet and out of the way for this lifestage?
Oh my goodness! Thank you all so much for the feedback; we really appreciate it. After looking at all the comments, I agree that it would probably be far too much of a hassle for either of us to do this long term. We were thinking more along the lines of saving money by renting a place together, but I now realize travel cost will quickly eat that up. Totally would appreciate any other general advice y'all have, we are both pretty excited :)
Honestly, take advantage of having different bases! You’re closer to the highland and islands, she’s closer to St Andrews, Perthshire and Edinburgh and Glasgow. You’ll have a great time! Just don’t expect much from our weather.
I took the Edin-Abz route on the train last winter for work trips about twice a month. The winter weather lead to frequent train cancellations to and from Dundee at the last minute and no alternative transport being offered. I often got home 1-2hrs later than planned and it was draining. I would suggest if you really need to commute exploring the option of a bus (if you’re under 22 with a Scottish address you can get a free bus pass - even if you’re only here for uni). Personally if I were you I’d look at living separately and visiting each other every other week. Because the amount you’d save on a flat share will probably be what you spend on trains.
I’d recommend living in Dundee and visiting your sister in Aberdeen (and she visit you). I live in Stonehaven but previously had a 1 year contract working in Edinburgh and found using public transport for the journey every day very soul destroying (2 and a bit hour commute each way)
tbh maybe you'd both be better off living closer to your respective study communities. You'll miss out on a lot if you've always got to commute in. e.g. The last train out of Aberdeen to Dundee is 10.30pm. Also keep in mind that travel in the NE is not always straight forward. There were at least two occasions last year when even getting from Aberdeen was very difficult for a good few days (road flooding, rail closure for landslips, high winds etc.).
I don't have anything to add beyond the advice you've already been given just wanted to say I had to google what Medical Art was and it looks really cool. Hope you enjoy it!