Whether you are a domestic or an international student looking to move away to start university. You’ll find that moving away from home can be a daunting experience, as with anything in life, the start of a new venture is always the toughest part but it’ll soon pass and you’ll eventually embrace your new environment and feel a part of your new surroundings. The UK is a popular destination for international students, more than 500000 students are travelling from overseas to study in the UK, London is the most well-known and most popular destination, however, it is very expensive especially for students with regards to living costs, travel and socializing. However, there are plenty of affordable alternatives. Liverpool is one of the most popular cities for students for its rich culture, affordable accommodation and sufficient infrastructure. It’s also the base of two of the top universities in the country in uni of and John Moores, I will now discuss in-depth in what makes Liverpool an attractive proposition for students.
1. The city centre is within walking distance
The majority of student accommodation is located within walking distance of the city centre which can save you money on travel costs and allows that extra 15 minutes lie in. However, even if you have to commute by public transport, buses in and out of the city are very frequent and cheap so you won’t need to stress about missing your last bus home or endure a long wait for your next one. Most student accommodation is within a 15 minutes walk from Mount Pleasant Campus for John Moores students and Uni of campus for University of Liverpool students. Located in the heart of the city centre is Liverpool One, a bustling shopping complex with everything you need from uni essentials to designer clothing and accessories. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by not only the infrastructure but also the ease of mobility around the city with all your needs close by, unlike London, Liverpool is much less crowded and condensed so you get the bustling city lifestyle without the hassle.
2. There’s always something to do
You’ll never get bored living in Liverpool and there’s always something to do whether it’s going out for drinks in the evening or just going for a casual stroll around the docks. As a student, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the vast amount of activities on offer in the city with an abundance of bars and restaurants in the city centre such as Mowgli street food and Revolution Albert Dock. You can also breathtaking views of the city during the evening which makes it all the more special whether you’re dining with friends or a partner.
Concert Square and Seel Street are the prime location for students on a night out as there are an array of bars and clubs such as Level nightclub, Mccooleey’s, Kazimier Garden and Goodness Gracious rooftop bar. As a fresher, you’ll have plenty to look forward as Cool it events run student nights throughout term time which means that there is always something to look forward to every night, since the bars and clubs are situated close together, a typical night out is more affordable than you think so you’re hangover won’t be compounded with the realization that you spent a fortune the previous night.
3. Experience the artistry at The Baltic Triangle
Liverpool has so much more to offer outside the city centre, the Baltic Triangle is an exciting and emerging area in the city located within a 15-minute walk from Liverpool One. The area is home to many creative and digital businesses but is also a place for dining and partying which makes the area a 24/7 hub for work and play. After a hard day at work/uni, why not relax and treat yourself and a few friends for food and drink at the Baltic Social before a round at Ghetto Golf and then the party the night away at Constellations. Of course, there are plenty of restaurants for you to choose from that fulfil various tastes so you’re never short of options here.
Instagram and art lovers will be in for a real treat as there is an array of street art in the area that will take your breath away including the famous Liver Bird wings which provide the perfect photo opportunity for Instagram users to rack up likes on their posts taking inspiration from the symbol of the city.
4. The city is diverse and multicultural
Liverpool has come on leaps and bounds since it got capital of culture 11 years ago. The city is one of the most diverse and multicultural in the UK so you’re likely to feel very much at home if you come from overseas. The city’s proud heritage is built on its routes as a port city and is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe, the famous Chinatown arch is an iconic landmark in the city and is the place to be every Chinese New Year with eye-catching dragon dances and authentic street food. Whatever your background or ethnicity, tolerance and welcoming of others is a key part of Liverpool’s culture and the Liverpudlians are among the friendliest in the world.
5. Liverpool is home to some iconic landmarks
As well as the Chinatown arch, the city is home to many other iconic landmarks including the Liver Building, St John’s beacon and the superlambananas. The latter has many located around the city and if you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to play a game to find every one of them in the city. There are plenty of photo opportunities available in the city to rack up those Instagram likes where you could become an overnight photographer.
Final Thoughts
Coming to Liverpool to study can be the best decision you make in your life as you instantly feel welcome in the city with plenty to do and look forward to. More importantly, you would not have to delve deep into your pockets in doing so as many places are affordable with student discounts available with either your library or NUS card. Public transport is also very efficient and frequent in the city so you can get around easily and not endure any tedious waits, if you wish to spend a little extra on city-centre accommodation, you will not be disappointed as you have everything you need virtually on your doorstep from shops, restaurants, bars, clubs and so on giving you the freedom to be spontaneous to have that last minute night or meal out.
The Real Talk blog 