Experience in Chester, United Kingdom by Kay

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

Chester is a beautiful city, with so much history etched into every street! The wonderful town centre encircled by the Roman Walls, leading to the renowned Amphitheatre or picturesque Grosvenor Park. Everything in Chester is easy to get to and everything is in the town centre.

What is the student lifestyle like in Chester?

Chester is not exactly a jumping night spot but does pubs really well. It has a couple of Wetherspoons for cheap drinks, some very unique pubs e. g. Pied Bull, Marlborough, and with everything so close to each other, pub crawls are amazing! Chester is a really friendly city and because it's relatively small it's also quite safe. The university and university accommodation is 10 minute walk from the centre and the Garden Quarter (in which most student houses are) is very student orientated.

How much does it cost to live in Chester?

Chester, being a tourist, is expensive in terms of the North of England, but is far cheaper than the South of England. That being said, student house shares can be found for as little as £ 50 per week (bills not included) and with handy cheap supermarkets living cost is roughly £ 20 per week (food, alcohol, etc. ).

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

Chester has many student flats, house shares, or apartments, most of which are located around the Garden Lane area 5 minutes from the university and 10 minutes from town centre. University of Chester have their own accommodation or if not there are many accommodation sites to be found on the Internet.

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

Food in Chester depends on your budget! There are supermarkets nearby (20 minute walk) Tesco, Morrison's, Asda. However if you feel like eating out, the town centre has some great restaurants. Black House Grill is everyone's favourite come race day. Barlounge has some great food, all the pubs in the city centre sell food, Whetherspoons for cheap and cheerful pub grub, Pied Bull Red Lion if feeling a little more upmarket pub food. Blue Bell has a great Chinese menu. Nando's (cheeky) on Bridge Street. Along with the student's favourite, fast food KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonalds and Chicken Cottage- Frescos is a life saver after a night out!

What places would you recommend visiting in Chester?

To name a few in the town centre:

• Walls,
• Racecourse,
• Amphitheatre,
• Grosvenor Park,
• River Dee (boat ride)
• Military Museum,
• Chester library,
• The Cross,
• Chester Cathedral,
• Town Hall,
• The Rows,

Around Chester:

• Cheshire Oaks retail park,
• Llandudno Beach (great in summer! ),
• Liverpool,
• Greyhound Retail Park,
• Beeston Castle,
• Christleton Village,
• Sandstone Trail,

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Is it good to eat out in Chester? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Think I've already covered this above.

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

There's only really two nightclubs in Chester. Most nights out end up going Marlborough Arms, Off the Wall and then Rosie's nightclub (all within 5 minutes walk of each other. ) Or if it's a special occasion Cruise nightclub. Off the Wall is a great place for pre-drinks, pool tables, daily drink offers (cello taped to the bar). Forest House (whetherspoons) 2pitchers for £12, it also has a disco some nights, when going out out is too daunting!

What advice would you give future students heading to Chester?

Have fun with it! It's a great place, never too far away from anywhere and with easy links to big cities like Liverpool or Manchester, or beautiful day trips into north Wales, Snowdon is amazing to walk up, or Beaches in Merseyside (Thurstaston, cliff walk to the beach, West Kirby for crab fishing).

A wonderful town, wonderful university, enjoy!

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