Experience in Leeds, United Kingdom by Clare

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

Leeds is very student orientated, during the holiday periods it's pretty quiet but when the students are back there is always something going on. The city itself is very nice, quite small in comparison to Manchester or Liverpool, but it still has good shopping places, nice restaurants and bars and a very nice art gallery and museums.

Leeds is also well placed in that it's just next to some fantastic countryside - the Yorkshire Dales which has stunning scenery and good hikes, bike rides and outdoor activities.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leeds?

Leeds is famous for its student lifestyle, the student areas of Hyde Park and Headingley are thriving with students, parties, bbqs, etc. The music scene in Leeds is really really good, there are massive nights out and loads of choice- so many different venues in Leeds, if you're into music whether it's rock bands or house music and drum 'n' bass there's something for everyone.

Also at the University of Leeds Students Union there are loads of great clubs and societies to join to make friends and meet people. I was a member of the scuba diving society and went on loads of trips with them at discounted student rates (but you don't have to be a student to join any of these clubs either) but again there is a club for everyone, from yoga to cycling to kayaking to chess and photography.

How much does it cost to live in Leeds?

Really cheap. Drinks are cheap, food is cheap, transport is cheap (you can actually walk to most places but there are buses that go everywhere and taxis are very cheap too).

There are always drink deals for students at every bar you go to, check the nights Facebook group or website to see the deals on that night. The union always has deals on food and drinks too. Then food wise there are a lot of good cheapish restaurants dotted about the student areas of Hyde Park and Headingley.

If you're buying food it's best to go local, there are local fruit and vegetable sellers in the student areas where everything is cheaper. Also it's well worth going down to the Leeds markets in town as you can buy meat and fish so much cheaper than at the supermarket, you just have to walk into town (which sometimes seems like too much effort).

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

People seem to start worrying about accommodation early on in Leeds (around January) but honestly there are loads of cheap places and it's best to shop around for the best.

In my final year, after having been away in France the previous year I could only look for places in September (literally just before coming to uni) and I found a way better deal than if I'd looked in January. It was a 4 bed house, modern and 10 minutes walk from the university in Hyde Park, and we payed £225 a month, bills not included.

If you live in the student areas however like Hyde Park and to a less extent Headingley, be prepared for: house parties any night of the week until 7am, rubbish in the streets (beer bottles, old sofas etc. ), people in their pj's at 9am buying milk at the local shop, and when the sun is out - everyone is out having bbqs and playing music. It really is a great student atmosphere but obviously not everyone's cup of tea.

Look on Gumtree for professional house shares if you're after a bit more sophistication.

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

Yorkshire puddings! They're yummy.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Leeds?

The art gallery in town. The docks. I'd go out of Leeds to Ilkley and go for a walk on the moors and get Fish and Chips afterwards.

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

My faves were Oranaise it does really good moroccan food at a good price, very good for veggies. And in Headingley, The Agora does amazing greek food, really really yummy and huge portions.

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

The nightlife is brilliant in Leeds.

Too many venues to name and it depends on your music tastes. HiFi and Wire do good student nights with lots of different types of music from reggae to rock. Also The Faversham is good for band nights as well as hosting bigger nights with big name dj's. The Garage and Canal Mills have opened fairly recently and are really good spaces. Canal Mills and Mint Warehouse are for big nights.

In terms of bars, The Smokestack is really nice, and does good soul/funk music nights. Lots of nice cocktail bars in the centre of town. Student Dock is a student favourite pub for drinks deals too.

If you like clubbing and popular music nights with chart music- also a place to get very cheap drinks, then popular clubs are Tiger Tiger, O2 academy and Revolution are the places to be - on a Saturday night these are packed.

What advice would you give future students heading to Leeds?

Be prepared to party. Get involved in as many clubs and societies as you can as it really is the best way to meet people and get the most out of the experience. Have fun!