======= Date Modified 12 Jul 2011 11:54:20 =======
Just a little question: Do you get tarnished by the "student" label when it comes to looking for flats,etc ???

The reason I ask, is that I am currently room hunting around East London and a lot of agencies and landlords will not touch students even when you explain that you are a PhD student. Is it just people's ignorance towards the stereotype of students? If it is, it is very annoying!!!!

is it posisble to say you are a researcher instead?

I spoke to a friend who is a PhD student, who told his landlord that he was a research assistant- So I'm thinking of saying that instead!

I agree with Sneaks, probably best to say that you are a researcher and I doubt they'll ask anything else. And yes I do get tarnished my the student label - not when looking for a flat but looking for a boyfriend, i.e. dating - I think they think I'm a gold digger!

Good luck with your flat hunting :-)

lack of council tax is a bonus though, so its not all bad. :-)

I'd go with the 'researcher' label! My landlady refused to take undergraduates as her accommodation is all quite new, but she will take masters or PhD students, as long as they seem 'okay'. On a related note, I do get frustrated with my local GP surgery, because every time I ring up and ask them for an appointment they ask if I'm a student. Apparently students aren't allowed to take the early morning appointments since they are viewed to have all day to go to the doctor, obviously with nothing more important to do. I have tried explaining that I am a PhD student and that I therefore must be in the office between 9-5pm, but that only gets me anywhere with one of the receptionists! Grrrr! Best, KB

Say Research Assisstant!!! Simples!!!