London is without a doubt, the best city to go to if you want to make the most out of your higher education. As the UK’s capital, London has many top-tier universities that are respected worldwide. On top of that, London is the capital, which means that there are many things for students to do when not in school. There are bars, pubs, shopping centres, museums, and many more ways for students to socialise and immerse themselves in the community.
That said, London is a huge city. So, if you’re planning to move there for uni, you need to choose the right area if you want to have the easiest and most convenient life possible. So, in this article, we’ll cover:
- The best places for students to live in London
- Best buy to let investment areas in London
- Alternative best-voted university cities in the UK
But before we cover any of the above topics, let’s first find out what makes London a good university city in the first place.
What Makes London a Good University City?
The biggest reason London is considered the best university city in the UK is largely due to the great number of high-quality universities in the area. Currently, London has 17 universities in the city, each of which can be a great option for students ready to start a new chapter of their lives. The city features both specialist and multi-disciplinary schools.
So, it should come as no surprise that students flock to London yearly. In fact, the University of London alone houses 24,000 international students, with the number gradually increasing year over year.
But it isn’t just the schools that attract students to London.
There are many things to do in London’s capital. From the parks and museums to the bars, pubs, and restaurants, there are so many leisure and entertainment options in the city that never sleeps.
Best Places For Students to Live in London
London is a big city, especially when you look at the Greater London area. So, while the city has a lot of universities and educational institutions, you could end up living in an area that’s far away from any of the universities you plan on enrolling in. To avoid that, here are the best places for students to live in London.
King’s Cross
You’ve probably heard of King’s Cross before, even if you’ve never been to London. This is a very popular neighbourhood at the very heart of the city, so it’s just a quick walk from the UCL main campus. Since it’s in the city centre, you can easily commute or walk to most of the universities in London, which is why this area is a very popular choice for students.
Not only that, but it is a very vibrant and lively part of the city. So, if you’re looking for a nightlife or entertainment options outside of school, this neighbourhood has everything you could possibly need. In King’s Cross, you’ll also find the British library, where you can access information on almost any topic that interests you.
Aside from all of that, there’s a great transport network in King’s Cross. It’s easy to commute to any London area when coming from King’s Cross, making it a great option for students who may not be that familiar with the different areas in London and want to go out exploring during their days off.
Bloomsbury
If you’re looking for the true educational centre of London, Bloomsbury isn’t far off. While it holds no official title, Bloomsbury is the home of the UCL main campus. So, if you’re going to school here, there’s no place that’s more convenient than Bloomsbury.
On top of that, the neighbourhood offers lots of cultural activities and entertainment options. To start, you can find the British Museum in Bloomsbury, so you can always visit and experience a taste of cultural artefacts and icons from all over the world.
The neighbourhood itself is full of great townhouses, terraces, and leafy garden squares, giving it a lot of character. If you live here as a student, you won’t just have a convenient time heading to school, but you’ll definitely get a unique slice of London’s city life.
Kensington
Kensington is a fairly upscale district in Kensington and Chelsea. You can find this district in West London, and you’ll certainly have a hard time missing it. The first quality of Kensington is the amazing modern architecture along with the luxurious and high-class shopping centres that you’ll find throughout. It also has many cultural landmarks, which is why this is a must-visit area for many tourists.
This is a very popular option for students because of the unique, comfortable life the area offers. That said, it is one of the more expensive options for students in London. But if you find an apartment or housing option in Kensington that fits your budget, it’s definitely a great place to call home.
Best Buy-to-Let Investment Areas in London
For students, London is a great place to be both in terms of education and things to do. That’s why tens of thousands of students from all over the UK and the world flock to England’s capital city.
Due to the high demand for living in London, a different group of people are also attracted to the area; buy-to-let investors looking to purchase properties and profit from the staggering demand. So, if you happen to want to buy a property in London and then let it out to students, let’s take a look at some of the best areas that you should consider:
Notting Hill
Nestled in the district of West London, Notting Hill is a vibrant and trendy area that is popular amongst students studying in the city. The area is home to a ton of green spaces (despite being in such a valuable part of town) and has some of the most desirable properties on the London market.
With an average property price of £944,178, it’s not the most affordable area to purchase a buy-to-let property, but with rental prices in the area being around £3,000 – £5,000 per month, it’s a safe investment for those who can afford it.
Islington
Situated to the North of Central London, Islington is another top-of-the-line buy-to-let investment area in London. Like Notting Hill, it’s full of students that go to the UCL, meaning there is plenty of demand for properties in the area.
Property prices here average at around £854,219, which is a bit cheaper than Notting Hill. Rental prices on the other hand are still well within the £3,000 – £5,000 range, giving property owners a very nice return on their investment.
Alternative University Cities in the UK
If you aren’t keen on London as a university city, don’t worry. The UK is full of great university cities that you can pick from as an alternative. The second, third, and fourth most popular cities in the UK for universities are Manchester, Cardiff, and Liverpool.
All three cities are vibrant, well-suited to students, and are significantly more affordable than London. Now only that, but they all have more than one university within them, with Liverpool having more than five on its own.
Conclusion
London has been voted the best university city in the UK for several years, and for all the good reasons. It’s lively, offers world-class education, and students can never get bored. London offers the perfect environment for a young person to study and have a ton of fun.
So, if you plan on buying a buy-to-let property or a property here, it’s a pretty safe investment that is almost certain to be profitable. And if you ever want to cash out, generating cash house buyers and the public’s interest for your property won’t be a challenge at all.
