finally got a funded phd but its in newcastle! gunna be moving there in around 6 weeks time (when the phd starts at the beginning of january hopefully), any advice on the best place to live for postgrad students taking into account location, best place for postgrads, and cost effectiveness (not looking for anythin too pricey)?
thankyou

No idea about Newcastle, but well done on getting accepted!!

Hi

I was an undergraduate at Newcastle 03-06, it's been a while but I don't think housing trends generally change a huge amount around universities. Essentially, or at least in my day there were 3 main areas students tended to live, Jesmond (most expensive, and smartest) Heaton (mid range, with good local pubs), and Fenham (Cheap and shabby, but with many ethnic food shops locally). Generally in my day the rent was pretty reasonable in Heaton, and cheap as chips in Fenham, while Jesmond was a bit pricey. As a general rule you get what you pay for, more or less with these 3 areas. All the postgrads I knew lived in Fenham, but it can be a bit on the rough side there, so bear that in mind. I'm sure many other postgrads lived in the other places as well.

There is an excellent underground mass transit system, the metro which means that places such as gateshead, gosforth or other areas are a valid option, although your less likely to find shared student accomodation in those areas. The stop you want for the university is haymarket. Apart from that, i can't really suggest anything else, if you have particular questions you could always pm me, or reply to the post

good luck

Fenham is too shabby for my tastes, but you can get a huge house for next to no rent.
Heaton was where I spent 5 years and is the middle of the road option, with sandyford the slightly up market version of Heaton just next door.

High Heaton is a bit further away and is generally populated by people with jobs and families etc, but is not a bad option if you want to get away from the undergrads.

Jesmond is full of rah rah types living on Daddy's dollar, but it is nice (but very expensive). A further option if you're post grad is Gosforth, which is a bit further out, but is nicer than Heaton and not as expensive as Jesmond.

If I was staying there still I'd be in Gosforth, but that's because I know the area and am not bothered about going for loads of nights out. If you want to be within a 20 minute walk of town and not be paying too much, but not living in a slum then I'd say try Heaton, preferably on the city side of Chillingham Road. If you live there you are also near some of the best pubs (if you like indie music, good beer etc) in the Cluny, the Free Trade, the Tyne and the Chillingham Arms (these pubs are known as the Ouseburn Pubs, they are awesome).

In summary - If you want nice area and don't mind being further away and want to avoid undergrad types then live in Gosforth, if you want to live near town without paying too much then rent a house in Heaton.

Newcastle is awesome. You will love it.

======= Date Modified 11 Sep 2012 12:03:12 =======
============= Edited by a Moderator =============
Out of the main areas Jesmond/Gosforth/sandyford and Heaton.
Heaton is the cheapest with Sandyford next then Gosforth and finally Jesmond as the most expensive.
As with most things in life you get what you pay for!
Jesmond best location - Heaton a bit far out.
Jesmond most popular for bars/resatuarants etc
The list could go on but all of the areas are safe and expect to pay from £45 per week to £110 per week depending on where you choose.
Regards
Paul

*link removed by postgrad forum team*