1. How do you actually like to live?

At first, this might seem like a simple question, but it’s worth taking seriously. Everyone has their own habits and preferences. Before you start looking at specific residences, take a moment to think about your daily routine. Do you thrive on social energy and enjoy having people around to talk to? Or do you work best in quiet and find too much activity tiring?

At ANU, some residences are built around a strong communal culture. Residences like Bruce Hall and Burton & Garran Hall host regular events and a busy social calendar, where you get to know your fellow residents pretty quickly. Others, like the self-catered lodges like Lena Karmel Lodge and more mature accommodations like Graduate House, give you more independence and space to set your own pace.

Consider the atmosphere: ANU has modern residences with sleek designs and contemporary finishes. Alternatively, older halls with sturdy brick walls offer a sense of longstanding tradition. Reflect on which environment best suits you and your vibe.

2. Be realistic with your budget

Accommodation costs vary, so get a clear picture of your finances before you start comparing options. Look at what's included–at our catered residences, meals are factored into your weekly rate, so you're actually comparing like for like when you weigh up options. A bit of number-crunching upfront saves a lot of stress once you've moved in and are trying to focus on your first semester.

Try and work this out before you fall in love with a particular option. It's much easier to make a clear-headed call before you're emotionally committed to a specific residence.

3. Where do you want to spend your time?

All ANU residences are on or right next to the Acton campus, so getting to a 9am lecture is just a walk, not a commute. This makes a real difference, especially around week seven when things get busy and you don’t want to spend an extra forty minutes travelling each day.

It's worth thinking about what's specifically close to you within campus too. Fenner Hall, for instance, is right in the heart of the Kambri precinct, steps from the library, cafes and the main student hub. Other residences are a bit further out but quieter for it. Neither is better than the other, it just depends on how you want your days to feel.

Outside campus, Canberra has a lot to offer. The city centre, weekend markets, and the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin are all within a 15-minute walk from ANU. Getting out and enjoying these places can really improve your day-to-day life.

4. How much do you want to be a part of Ressie life?

Living on campus at ANU means you're automatically part of a community, but how deep you go into it is all up to you. One of the more unique parts of the ANU residential experience is Interhall Sport and Arts–competitions between residences that run throughout the year across everything from football to theatre. For a lot of students, that's where some of their best friendships end up forming, often with people they'd never have crossed paths with otherwise.

If that kind of built-in community appeals to you, it's worth factoring in which residences have the strongest residential culture and what activities they run. If you'd rather keep to yourself and use campus on your own terms, you also have plenty of options. Our 18 student residences cover a pretty wide spectrum!

5. What stage of life are you at?

This one's worth thinking about, especially if you're heading to ANU for postgraduate study. For undergraduates fresh out of school, living on campus is often the fastest way into a social network, a routine and a sense of belonging, all the stuff that makes starting uni feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Residences like Wamburun Hall and Yukeembruk are newer, purpose-built, and designed with that transition in mind.

For postgraduate students, it looks a bit different. ANU has residences specifically for postgrads like Graduate House, Toad Hall and the Packard Wing at Bruce Hall, which tend to have a quieter, more independent feel that suits people returning to study or balancing research with the rest of life.

Still not sure where to start?

Don’t worry, we have a quiz for that. Try our quick 3-minute residential quiz to find out which ANU residence is your best fit based on a variety of factors from study habits, lifestyle and personality quirks.