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Anyone going to Leeds Uni accommodation day on Saturday?

29 replies

hellsbells99 · 19/04/2016 14:32

Now I know that according to mumsnet, I should not be involved but I am taking my DCs!
Does anyone have recommendations on which accommodation to look at?
I am hoping for a nice sunny day as everything always looks better!
We are going to go after school on Friday so that we can have a walk round the city and dinner. I also need to book a cheap hotel for the night preferably with parking.
Is anyone else going? Should I wear an identifying mumsnet scarf Wink ?

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365isalot · 19/04/2016 15:56

I'm not going but only because I'm working all weekend and DD is working too so she can't go either. We would go if we could! Is there any particular accommodation yours are interested in? (How many DCs are you taking?) They seem to have a lot of new built accommodation blocks. DD mentioned the city village (or some name like that ) as being huge, she went to see it at the open day last year and liked it.

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365isalot · 19/04/2016 15:57

I'm a bit Envy of your plan to have an overnight stay and evening away together as well - that sounds lovely and such a nice way to introduce them to the place.

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365isalot · 19/04/2016 16:10

Will you be going out to Headingley, there is some accom out there too. Used to know the area many moons ago, it's probably gone upmarket since then though.

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rightsaidfrederickII · 19/04/2016 17:37

One tip - get them to look at several different types of accommodation, especially shared bathroom vs en suite.

A lot of kids think they "need" an en suite, but
(a) it's because they think that shared bathrooms will be terrible when they aren't
(b) en suites can be quite pricey
(c) a lot of unis have a shortage of en suite halls, so they might not get an en suite
(d) they'll have to get used to sharing a bathroom in second and third year anyway

Best that they have a look at different varieties of accommodation so that they can actually make an informed decision!

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GRW · 19/04/2016 17:50

My DD is going by herself on the train. She still can't decide if she wants to firm Leeds or Sussex which has offered a grade lower than Leeds if she firms them.

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hellsbells99 · 19/04/2016 17:53

I am taking both DDs.
So far, we are planning to look at:
Lyddon Hall (catered, shared bathroom, on campus)
Devonshire Hall (more traditional, off campus)
Henry Price (self catered, on the edge of campus, bathroom shared between 2)
Leodis (self catered, ensuite, off campus)
I am looking forward to spending a bit of time with the girls and a nice girly meal together.

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365isalot · 19/04/2016 21:23

Reading with interest. Shared bathroom in 2nd year, with friends, is one thing, sharing with complete stranger is another, i wouldnt fancy it & im an uninhibited 40something Grin. Ensuites seem to be the norm in the newer accommodation?

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365isalot · 19/04/2016 21:24

Central Village- that was where DD went on open day last year

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purplepingu · 19/04/2016 21:47

I lived in Henry Price nine years ago, loved it. Not one of the newer buildings but I liked that I only had to share a bathroom with one other person and how close to campus it was (it's on the edge). Parking used to be free on the road too but that might have changed (Clarendon Road). I never looked at any of the further away ones as close to campus was most important to me.

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senua · 19/04/2016 23:10

Everybody wants Devonshire Hall - it's very oversubscribed.

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hellsbells99 · 19/04/2016 23:46

Thanks for the comments everyone.
Purple - I also think that being close to the campus would be great.
Senua - that surprises me - as it is not on campus I thought it would be less popular.

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Decorhate · 20/04/2016 05:54

I believe Dev is the only hall that does catered where you eat in the halls. The on-campus ones just give you a card to use in the various campus cafes. Which might partly explain its popularity. Also has a rep for being a sociable place.

I'm not sure it is oversubscribed - dd's section is all people who got into Leeds at the last minute or changed from elsewhere in first term

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tribpot · 20/04/2016 06:46

Are you wanting to stay in the city centre? Parking is a bit of an issue for the city hotels. You could stay at the Premier Inn out by the M62 and then come in on the park and ride but it sounds like you want to spend the night in the city centre. There is also a Premier Inn by Leeds Arena but it has no parking - there's a chargeable car park nearby.

If you fancy a non-studenty place to eat I can highly recommend Pintura but there are loads of great restaurants.

It'd be good for them to see Headingley as well as likely they'll live near there when they move out and will spend most of their lives walking through it doing pub crawls, from what I can see when I'm in Headingley. (Disclaimer: I also went to Leeds uni and somehow managed to avoid ever doing the Otley Run).

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MyLocal · 20/04/2016 07:14

My DD is at Leeds Uni now. For us budget was the main thing, due to our income DD only gets the minimum maintenance loan which is reduced further as she is a healthcare student. Her loan and bursary don't even cover her rent and she can't work as she spends 50% of her time of shift placements as far away as Hull.

Anyway I digress, she is living in Lupton at Headingley. To my knowledge Central Village is the most sought after and expensive as it looks fab, but people living there say is is a bit soulless and without much atmosphere.

Anyway I cannot speak highly enough about Lupton. It ain't the poshest, shared bathrooms between 5 but it is in a nice green gated setting in the centre of Headingley.

Headingley is like a small town for students, every person you pass on the street is a student as Leeds Beckett is also close by, it has everything a student would need. Supermarkets, shops, bars, restaurants, takeaways, hairdressers, charity shops, cafes, mobile phone shops, wilkos, boots, superdrug.

Don't rule out headingley as it is only a pleasant 25 mins walk to uni down hill and buses run every 5 mins to campus for £1. They run until 3am in the morning too.

If you want to see some in staged pictures and have Instagram, do a search in places under Lupton Residences and you get a better idea of what goes on there!!!

DD is very happy there and it is one of the cheapest at around £88 a week.

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MyLocal · 20/04/2016 07:17

*non staged not in staged

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BikeRunSki · 20/04/2016 07:18

Parking in Leeds city centre is extremely expensive and often quite difficult to find (although Friday night will be easier than a week day morning!)

There are various chain hotels -IBIS Budget, Holiday Inn, Jury's etc all a little bit outside the city centre.
The Clayton Hotel at City Walk is probably a good combo of price/access to city centre/has parking/easy to get to off M621.

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MyLocal · 20/04/2016 07:29

Agree with the above, i worked in Leeds for 20 years. How far are you coming? I would personally book train tickets, the uni is walkable from the station or they do shuttle buses on open days from the station. Loads of taxis outside and buses close by that go up Woodhouse Lane.

The Leeds Central Travel Lodge is walking distance from the station and next to the very lovely Chaophraya Thai restaurant, highly recommended.

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Carriemac · 20/04/2016 07:37

Holiday in express I. The city centre sleeps 3 in a room , has parking and breakfast. DS is being a tour guide !

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Carriemac · 20/04/2016 07:38

And Dev is brilliant - homely and strict wardens so not noisy at night

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senua · 20/04/2016 08:29

Devonshire is popular because it is the only thing that Leeds has that looks like the Collegiate system eg it has formal dinners with gowns (but only about six a year, it's not like they do it every evening) and a Ball.

DS went to Lupton and liked it. Halfway between the campus and the sportsgrounds. Near to shops and pubs other amenities. Its own grounds so you can hang out, play frisbee and BBQ. Fairly large: lots of people around so you will make friends.

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hellsbells99 · 20/04/2016 09:28

Thank you for all your feedback.
We will add Lupton to the list and will look round the Headingley area.
We are driving as the train will be too expensive for 3 of us and it is a lot quicker to drive.
I will hopefully book a hotel today based on the suggestions above. I notice a couple have chargeable parking close by for £11 for 24 hours which should just about cover our visit.

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tribpot · 20/04/2016 11:15

Try to arrive outside rush hour, the traffic in Leeds is terrible.

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hellsbells99 · 20/04/2016 12:32

Thanks Tribpot. Can't leave home until after school anyway.

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GRW · 20/04/2016 17:12

We stayed in the Holiday Inn express at Leeds East when we came for the last open day. It was about a 30 minute drive to the University, and there was free parking and breakfast included in the price. It's a long drive for us, but under 2 hours on the train.

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Mindgone · 22/04/2016 00:34

DS1 was also in Lupton and had a great time! It's big, so they get to know loads of people. Btw, try to see the positives in all the residences, because your DD might not get her choice anyway! DS was unconditional, and didn't get his first or second choice! I think they all end up very happy wherever they are, it's a great, friendly uni.

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