Hostel meals are not too good, we have to admit it. Islamic International have there own hostels. Try getting a seat in it. Else transportation would be a big problem. I-9 suits you since Islamic International girls side have a gate towards I-9. If you have your own convience then it would be pretty easy for you. Islamic International is too big. I think they have their own buses too 10-12k is a decent budget per month for a student. If you can cook your self, then it would be alright. Else eating out would make you sick .. Rates vary place to place. I lived in placed between 4200 / room to 7k / Room . My first hostel was The Boys Hostel - Islamabad .Interestingly they have a website even now. It was a good refreshment of my early days. I was among the pioneer batch of G-8/1 Hostel. Was involved in start up of a new hostel in Peshawar more which is G-9. That was without food. Trust me, It was too tough eating food outside. Paying guests is a good solution but its costly. A decent paying guest with food should cost around 20k. It was only then, life is bit better. Far more the best solution for accomodation is to get your own Apartment/House. Keep a cook / Helper. It requires some early investment but you can find some used furniture deals and keep it around 10k / head. Finding good room mates might be difficult but you will soon find some good chaps. That would be your good experience. There are issues that arises but overall, its much better than living in outside hostels. If you started living in hostel you will find some like minded people. Usually nerdy people rock. TBH is a good place to live as compared to other options but they have strict policies regarding paying rent. Like you cant leave before 1 year else they have the security. Plus timings restrictions. but it was the far most organized setup I came across in Islamabad
