Experience in Cardiff, United Kingdom by Beth

What is it like to live in Cardiff? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Cardiff is THE city to do so many different things. It has excellent transport links, a huge shopping mall with every shop you could think of, an abundance of bars, pubs and clubs and of course the Millenium Stadium where they hold concerts and sports games such as The Rugby World Cup! The city is buzzing with people all of the time!

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What is the student lifestyle like in Cardiff?

The student area of Cardiff is mostly in Cathays/Roath both of which are around 15 minutes from the centre of the city. In Cathays especially, there are so many pubs and bars and plenty of good places to eat. Cardiff University main building is also in Cathays where there is a newly renovated Students Union where they hold student nights out where drinks are a lot cheaper. The Student Union also hold events such as Treatment where the union is open til 4am and has lots of house/techno DJs in different rooms on the same night. There is also a train station in Cathays where you can get frequent trains to the city centre and to Cardiff's main train station.

How much does it cost to live in Cardiff?

It is around 300 pounds a month to live in Cardiff although you may be able to find rooms from around 250 pounds. If you have a student card you can get discounts in shops and some restaurants. Some of the clubs charge a lot for drinks and entry so it is best to buy alcohol from the shops and have a few drinks before you go out! Most shops in Cathays such as Sainsburys Local is open from 7am-11pm where you can find everything you need. There is also a Lidls in Cathays where you can buy everything at much cheaper prices but is also good quality.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Cardiff? Is there any advice you can give?

It is probably best to contact an estate agents before arriving in Cardiff because they will have an extensive list of properties to choose from. Be careful though, some may charge agency fees which can make things expensive. There is an estate agents in the Students Union which provide properties without the agency fees. Always remember to fill out an inventory list where you can state any problems with the property before you move in so you don't get charged for things that aren't your fault. You may also contact the university as many students live in Halls of Residence for their first year and these are maintained for you with no extra bills charged on top.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There are so many places to eat in Cardiff. There are a lot of chain restaurants but the ones in the side streets are also worth experiencing. They have also had a few "Street food Fesitivals" in Cardiff which allow local businesses to sell food all under one roof. My personal favourite is Burger and Lobster where you pay 20 pounds for a gourmet burger and fries, a lobster with fries or a crab meat roll with fries. The cocktails are also AMAZING! You can also find many cheaper alternatives in Cardiff and the surrounding areas.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Cardiff?

Bute Park is right in the centre however is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Cardiff Castle is also worth a visit.

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For something different, you can catch the train from the main station and visit Cardiff Bay, Penarth and Barry island. Cardiff Bay is a lovely evening out with so many choices for food and drinks!

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Is the nightlife good in Cardiff? Where is good to go?

In Cardiff, there are so many pubs, bars and clubs to suit everyone! Most of the clubs are open til around 3am. There are many Facebook groups for student nights in Cardiff for whatever you like and as I've said, the Students Union is a cheaper alternative to the centre of town.

What advice would you give future students heading to Cardiff?

Cardiff is such a good city for being a student. It isn't too big and there is so much to do! Seize every opportunity and join some/any societies you want and you get to meet so many people!