A student’s guide on where to live after first year

There are many options for post-Freshers living, whether you’re rocking the Kasbah in Central Coventry, roaming the Victorian boulevards of northern Leamington, or attending village fetes in Kenilworth, the world of the West Midlands remains your oyster.

However, it can be difficult to know where to settle, so we’ve gathered the students who know these places best to tell you the ins and the outs, helping to ensure you make as informed a decision as possible.

Canley, Snowmanradio / Wikimedia Commons

Canley by Sanjana Iyer

It will come as no surprise that Canley is not the most glamorous choice of residence after first year. However, that is not to say it won’t be perfect for you. Its largest claim to fame is, naturally, its proximity to the university, and when you find yourself going to campus every single day, that does more wonders than you might think.

Being on Charter Avenue, I was a swift 15-minute walk to central campus, so I developed a slight affinity for University House as an underrated study spot right on your doorstep. Since I was involved in multiple societies and had lectures with annoyingly strange gaps between them, the ability to just walk home in between things or come onto campus at the last minute if needed was invaluable.

If the group you’re living with are undecided on where to go and, overall, you are people who find yourselves on campus a lot, Canley should be a strong contender

On the topic of easy walking access, Cannon Park remains your best friend, as it’s likely a shorter walk away than it was from many campus accommodations (Sherbourne, I’m looking at you here). With the huge Aldi, Tesco, Greggs, bargain outlets, charity shops, and more all right there, you’ll want for nothing, just like in first year. In short, Canley is a really great option for anyone who would greatly benefit from being able to come back and forth from campus with ease.

“But what about my social life?”, I hear you ask. This is where I will emphasise that living in Canley will only benefit you if your friends are also there. I naturally found myself going to Leamington on many occasions to explore everything it has to offer, but, ultimately, I would rather hop on the bus for the odd outing than battle it every day just to get home.

The crux of why I thought this, though, was because my closest friends lived in Canley with me, so the people I would have gone to hang out with in Leamington were conveniently in my kitchen. I would always say follow where your friends go, because that truly is what shapes your living experience the most. If the group you’re living with are undecided on where to go and, overall, you are people who find yourselves on campus a lot, Canley should be a strong contender.

Image: Coventry, Coventry City Council / flickr

Coventry by Thomas Albery

Being nestled just off a main road, tucked close to the centre of Coventry, it’s safe to say that I’ve forgotten what silence sounds like. Life in Coventry is a symphony of passing cars, honking horns, and explosive fireworks that seem to creep closer and closer to my window every single night.

However, despite the seemingly endless capacity for colourful celebration that these pyrotechnics imply, not an ounce of this celebratory spirit finds its way onto the faces of my fellow citizens come morning. What joy that exists in Coventry is found among the students that call it home, of which there are many — maybe it’s because I live so close to Coventry University’s main cluster of buildings. However, the proportion of students on the streets ensures it’s far from inaccurate, in my opinion, to describe Coventry as a university town.

The Coventry student experience is not an entirely uncomfortable one. Rent is cheap, so is Chinese takeout, and the Domino’s is open for delivery till 5am

Save for a few exceptions, Coventry isn’t a pretty town — it just gets a free pass due to its proximity to Birmingham, the punching bag of the nation. Coventry also earns a little more sympathy for its treatment in the war, which would probably leave anyone looking a little worse for wear. The city does have its more charming and presentable bits, but there are clearly areas the council prioritises over others.

As a whole, the Coventry student experience is not an entirely uncomfortable one. Rent is cheap, so is Chinese takeout, and the Domino’s is open for delivery till 5am. Conversely, bus travel to and from university isn’t the most convenient, and I wouldn’t even have that problem had my bike not been stolen on the very first day I moved in. Lessons were learned that day.

Crime and theft are fairly common here, having directly witnessed two break-ins and thefts at my building since I arrived  — one for my own bike, and the other for some poor soul’s motorbike. The thief of my bike, I was told later by the police, was a 12-year-old with over a hundred offences already on record. I guess Coventry is the kind of city legends are made in.

Image: Earlsdon, Snowmanradio / Wikimedia Commons

Earlsdon by Martin Day

Far enough from campus for you to skip your 10am seminars, close enough to Kasbah, you can walk: Earlsdon is the true Coventry experience, never mind the fact locals seem to consider themselves another town entirely. If you’ve ever wanted to live in a comfortable Victorian terrace house that six successive generations of landlords have split up into something that accommodates a dozen people, I can assure you that’s an experience you’ll never get in Leamington Spa. It has to be Earlsdon, in all its gritty, noisy glory.

Unlike Canley, such a wasteland that the chief attractions are a racist pub and Big Tesco, in Earlsdon, you are never more than a 15-minute walk from Coventry city centre, with its Wetherspoons outlets galore, and increasingly-decaying high street. On the rare occasions a society actually hosts something there (oh, those halcyon days), you can amaze your haplessly marooned Leamington friends by walking home on foot from whichever one of the infinite Earlsdon-based pubs you’ve been accosting. It’s no coincidence Real Ale and WUAXC host their bar crawls here: every single street boasts a classic boozer, flanked on either side by a corner store that never IDs and a kebab shop where the cashier knows far too much about you.

You can also, technically, walk – and will frequently have to when coming back from any Leamington social lasting later than midnight, when the Coventry-bound services terminate at campus, like the social lives of most BNOCs

Yes, the morning commute can be agony – the 11 bus will already be inexplicably full of students by the time it reaches you – but bypassing the 5pm crush of Leamington-bound commuters at the end of the day feels akin to possessing some kind of Stuart Croft-brokered fast-pass. You can also, technically, walk – and will frequently have to when coming back from any Leamington social lasting later than midnight, when the Coventry-bound services terminate at campus, like the social lives of most BNOCs. Your step-count will perform wonders, and the Warwick–Canley–Earlsdon route takes you past such local highlights as two slag heaps, an abandoned police station, and, if you take the alternative route on Google Maps, a stream you have to wade through.

But, bottom line, the rent is cheap, the commute is manageable, and – completely unlike the Leamington student bubble – you will actually feel like you live in a real city. Even if that city, alas, is Coventry.

Image: Kenilworth, PICRYL

Kenilworth by Jessica Thomas-Iganski

Every autumn, the familiar process begins once again: students across the university scramble to secure housing for the next academic year. It can be a daunting experience, particularly for freshers, so here’s what I’ve learnt from going through it myself.

After enduring a difficult first-year housing search, I felt much more confident last year to make better choices. I knew I wasn’t satisfied living in Leamington Spa and wanted to try something new in my third year. I longed for the green, peaceful spaces I’d taken for granted back home. So, together with my friends, I signed onto a house in Kenilworth, slightly off the usual student route.

A large bonus was the value for money. Finding houses with en-suites in Leamington Spa had been challenging, where almost every option was above our price range. In Kenilworth, however, we managed to secure a new-build house, equipped fully with en-suite bathrooms. The place was priced at a surprisingly reasonable rate, and it felt like a true luxury to enjoy this level of privacy and comfort as students.

Another great perk of Kenilworth is feeling connected to the local, small-town community, beyond just students. Fun fact: Emma Thompson is rumoured to live here!

Now that I’ve been living here, I can say that I’m very happy we chose this location. The bus to campus usually takes just 10-15 minutes, making it a little easier to face 9am lectures! Our house is near the Abbey Fields, a nice spot for serene and calming walks. The town itself has an abundance of cosy cafes and eateries, ideal for studying in. If you enjoy grabbing a coffee or matcha and browsing charity shops, you’ll definitely love it here! Kenilworth even has its own Wetherspoons — a student staple. Another great perk of Kenilworth is feeling connected to the local, small-town community, beyond just students. Fun fact: Emma Thompson is rumoured to live here!

While Kenilworth has been a good fit for me, it might not suit everyone. If you prefer a busy nightlife and being at the centre of the student scene, travelling to Leamington Spa for bars and clubs could feel impractical. The “grandma-core” lifestyle isn’t for everyone!

For these reasons, I would encourage Warwick students to consider Kenilworth as a housing option while taking into account their own priorities and budget.

Image: North Leamington, Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons

North Leamington by Hannah Lee

North Leamington — the sunny side of a student town, as long as you know you’re never getting the bus on the first try.

Living in North Leamington has its merits. It brings a certain feeling of safety, sitting off the top of the Parade, and keeps you close to local conveniences, including Tesco Express and The Clarendon. Although it’s a trek to friends and pubs in the South, regular buses in and around Lillington, Cubbington, and the ‘trusty’ U1 and U2 going up and down the parade ensure the bus pass pays for itself. And if you’re the kind who likes some peace and quiet, you can enjoy the calming walk home and the privacy of a less student-dense area.

If you’re a student with few contact hours who enjoys some quiet at the end of a long day, loves The Clarendon’s two for £12 cocktails, or are looking for somewhere to feel like home, North Leamington might be the fit for you

However, getting the U1 or U2 from Upper Parade early in the morning may just qualify as a new circle of Hell. That said, you could always get the empty bus going the opposite direction to Parish Church and join the southern crowd filling the commute. If you’re a student with few contact hours who enjoys some quiet at the end of a long day, loves The Clarendon’s 2 for £12 cocktails, or are looking for somewhere to feel like home, North Leamington might be the fit for you.

Image: Will Moores

Central Leamington by Bryn Baber-Day

Central Leamington Spa (which I will henceforth refer to as Central Leam) is perhaps the most contentious geographical boundary on this extensive list of Warwick-based residences. For some, the notion of a small spa town in the West Midlands having a notable ‘centre’ is perhaps too far-fetched. For others, it is a point of pride. I find myself nestled somewhere in the middle of this spectrum, and here I will attempt to articulate my thoughts.

I define Central Leamington Spa as loosely situated between the railway bridge beyond the known karaoke bar TJs and the bridge over the River Leam. In Central Leam, we lay claim to several of the very best institutions, venues, and locations. One of the most notable of these is the All Saints Parish Church, an imposing Victorian Gothic structure emblematic of the moral character of Central Leam. The beating heart of Leamington Spa, the Parish Church stands tall above the skyline and reminds you of your central roots.

We also have a monopoly on Leamington nightlife with the infamous Old Library pub, alongside the nightclubs, Neon and Assembly. With all this and more, I find the claim that Central Leam is the best place for students living off campus to be irrefutably true

The advantageous position with regard to buses must also be emphasised. Opposite Parish Church is arguably Leamington’s most significant student centre – the Parish Church bus stop. From dawn until dusk, overwhelming numbers of Warwick students stand eagerly awaiting the near-constant stream of U1 and U2 buses to shepherd them onto campus. With many of the bus services deliberately starting their journeys at this stop, Central Leam makes a strong case for being the best area of Leamington Spa for public transport.

Other notable features include wonderful eateries like the chicken shop and pseudo-nightclub Viallis, Indian restaurant Millenium Balti, and televised jazz station-cum-café Temperance. We also have a monopoly on Leamington nightlife with the infamous Old Library pub, alongside the nightclubs, Neon and Assembly. With all this and more, I find the claim that Central Leam is the best place for students living off campus to be irrefutably true.

It is a pity I do not have more words to work with, or else I’m sure I would be left articulating the joys of Central Leam all day long. Needless to say, Central Leam is undoubtedly the perfect staging ground for your continued journey into academia.

Image: South Leamington, Emily Cornish

South Leamington by Rachel Gore

While an outsider might look at South Leam and see run-down streets, it’s actually a place that many Warwick students believe is a superior location to live after first year, and here’s why…

One of South Leam’s main perks is that it is at the beginning of the University bus route. Your local bus stop will be one of the first that the U1 and U2 visit, meaning that they won’t drive past you because they are full and leave you standing in the cold before your 9am with no way to get to campus.

Not only are you going to get a seat on the bus, but you’re also going to be a quick walk away from supermarkets like Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and, if you want to push the boat out, M&S.

There are pubs and corner shops on nearly every street, with Neon also being located in South Leam. One can also walk to Spoons, the Old Lib, Smack, and Moo easily.

Living in South Leam means you can get to the station for a trip home without having to drag your suitcase down the parade or pay for an Uber

If you’re looking for a cheaper gym off campus, then living in South Leam puts you a short walk away from Pure Gym — a place frequented by many students who don’t want to drag their gym gear, and themselves, to campus for a workout.

Leamington Spa Station is situated in the southern part of the town, too. From there, you can get quick connections to Coventry as well as direct trains to London and Manchester. Living in South Leam means you can get to the station for a trip home without having to drag your suitcase down the parade or pay for an Uber.

With so many students living in the area, you’re almost guaranteed to have friends living a few minutes away from your house, mimicking campus’ social nature.

For these reasons, and the fact that you’re in proximity to the Parade and parks, South Leam is where you should choose to live next year.

Image: Warwick campus, Warwick Media Library

On-Campus by Anna Bickerton

Living on campus in my second year felt like an unconventional move. Most of my friends had rushed to Leamington or Canley without even considering it as an option.

I chose Claycroft, which put me about ten minutes from central campus and just a short walk from Cannon Park Tesco, which became a lifesaver once my schedule filled up. Between an increasingly intensive second-year timetable and busy exec roles, not dealing with Stagecoach buses genuinely saved hours each week.

A 40-week contract – in comparison to the 11 or 12 months most second and third years sign up to – also meant I ended up paying less rent than most of my friends. Having a base on campus also helps with finances if you’re not a dedicated meal planner. I could always nip back to make lunch instead of sacrificing my future house deposit at Rootes Grocery (now Co-op).

I quickly developed a particular gratitude for the general reliability of University maintenance services, rather than being at the mercy of a private landlord who you can’t necessarily trust to ensure you’ve access to hot water at all times. And quite frankly, knowing I could trek to Community Safety to replace a lost fob for free after a drunken night out was reassuring.

While you can opt to live on campus with people you already know, I took what some would call the risk of re-entering the game of roulette we all played before we arrived at Warwick

It wasn’t perfect. I sometimes felt like I was missing out on the Leamington social life, though I still made it across often enough. Equipped with knowledge of the best local spots after the first year, it also wasn’t too difficult to avoid the claustrophobia that can sometimes come with campus living.

While you can opt to live on campus with people you already know, I took what some would call the risk of re-entering the game of roulette we all played before we arrived at Warwick. However, this turned out to be perhaps my personal highlight.

In all honesty, at the start of the year, I just wanted flatmates who would take the bins out once in a while. Instead, I came out with some of the best friends I’ve ever met, whose commitment to regular kitchen drinks made the distance from Leamington feel irrelevant.

Unconventional, yes, and certainly not for everyone, but definitely an option that I’d urge you not to totally dismiss.

Image: Luke Evans

The Oaks by Nikolai Morton

Located on Westwood Way, a mere 20-minute walk from campus (or just over 12 if you can equal my record time), is The Oaks, a private accommodation gem which has a lot more going for it than most would have you believe. The campus commute, for starters, is as simple as stretching your legs, void of the need to flag down the costly and unreliable buses day in, day out. Regular ensuite rooms are priced around the average for on-campus accommodation (if you were fortunate enough to secure it this year, that is). And with all bills included in the rent, you can sit back and relax after paying your termly instalments. None of that landlord faff required here, folks – fire up that heating as much as you like.

As far as amenities go, you’re spoilt rotten. When I bring friends over for gatherings, they routinely gape at the cosy, Ikea-esque study spaces and the well-stocked gym, even if the latter space’s windows do awkwardly face onto the pavement outside. In the main block, home to the residence’s 24-hour reception team – suspiciously absent for much of that time – you’ll find free-to-use table tennis and pool tables, along with several TV rooms – simply ask for a remote on the off-chance reception is manned and you’re off and away. Ideal for parties and society meet-ups, there’s also a neat hosting kitchen with an adjoining rooftop terrace, bookable only if you successfully manage to fight off the hordes of other residents scrambling to snap it up for an evening.

While The Oaks gets a bad rep as the dumping ground for the friendless, it is the perfect choice if you – like me – spend most of your time on campus and are looking for a quiet base in which to chill and relax

The Oaks’ team also runs relaxing in-house events and games nights throughout the term, although, as far as attendance is concerned, this author cannot possibly comment, as he hasn’t attended one since last year’s rather tame welcome ‘party’. The clientele are either closeted away in their rooms or simply have better things to do. Quite possibly the latter.

All in all, while The Oaks gets a bad rep as the dumping ground for the friendless, it is the perfect choice if you – like me – spend most of your time on campus and are looking for a quiet base in which to chill and relax. It’s more than enough to compensate for being away from the Leam scene, and if you fancy a night on the town, the £3 bus fare is a small price to pay among the sea of drinks expenses you’ll inevitably accrue.

Image: Tile Hill, Mike Faherty / Geograph

Tile Hill by Naomi Pandey

When I try to tell people where I live, and I mention ‘Tile Hill’, there’s usually a good chance they don’t know where it is or what it is. There’s technically a very thin line between living in Canley and Tile Hill – when you properly wade into the industrial blocks, right around where the Costco is, you would see it. Needless to say, the student population is quite sparse, so when I find a fellow Tile Hill-residing student, it truly feels surreal.

Living in Tile Hill for the second year in a row has been a great experience, all things considered. The biggest perk is the pricing – en-suites are available at relatively cheaper rates, and rooms are large. Kitchen space is another plus – all my memories of fighting over room in the fridge are really from first year alone. The four to six-person houses tend to have generous shelf and fridge space, which makes bulk-buying and stocking up substantially easier.

The biggest plus, however, is the quiet. Tile Hill is a shout if you’re an introvert who needs that peace and quiet after hectic days. Night-time is properly silent, and if you need sleep before an early morning, you probably won’t be greeted by cacophonous sounds at ungodly hours. Morning walks are, therefore, calm, and the chances of you getting kicked off the sidewalk by a five-person group are rare.

You should also be prepared for an irregular bus service and walking to campus on Sundays

Getting to major hubs like Birmingham and London is also easy, since the Tile Hill Rail Station is quaint and cosy. You can beat the Coventry Rail Station crowd and maybe even get to use the luggage rack for once!

On the other hand, it is probably crucial for you to get along with all or most of your flatmates – Tile Hill is far removed from the student population, which means if you don’t get on with who you live with, it can easily feel isolating.

You should also be prepared for an irregular bus service and walking to campus on Sundays. Planning ahead, being geographically aware of Canley, and perhaps investing in a bicycle should leave you all set for the Tile Hill life!

Image: Will Moores

Whitnash by Lauryn West and Mary Murton

They call it ‘Shitnash’, but that’s too harsh. Not only is Whitnash relatively close to Leamington town centre (20 minutes to the train station if you speedwalk), but it is also a lovely place to live.

The U1, when it shows up, is blissfully empty, and the top front seat is guaranteed. From there you can sit, superior, and witness the purge at Parish Church as throngs of desperate Central Leam dwellers struggle to board. You also have at your disposal the adorable number one bus, which will ferry you and an assortment of old people (of questionable sanity) to Leam in only 10 minutes.

The distance also means that the post-Smack voyage home takes you past Craving, the best takeaway in the world, allowing you to sober up (rather than throwing up in an Uber or in bed). Not to mention the exceptionally chunky cat that roams Whitnash in the early hours, and can be easily befriended with a Craving curly fry or two.

Also in Whitnash is the sort of pub you didn’t think existed outside of Eastenders, The Plough and Harrow. Filled with characters that almost defy description

And then you can return to a surprisingly decent detached house that costs far less than the dens of inequity and squalor that Central and North Leam students are forced to inhabit. Our quiet little dead-end road even had a street party, complete with cake and neat gin.

Also in Whitnash is the sort of pub you didn’t think existed outside of Eastenders, The Plough and Harrow. Filled with characters that almost defy description, and now with a new extensive smash burger menu (I promise they’re good, this is not a paid advertisement), it has an atmosphere worth experiencing.

The only slight downside to living in Whitnash is that the Central Leam losers, ignorant of what they’re missing, will be reluctant to travel to your house parties. Other than that, we would thoroughly recommend it!