Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

The continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying to Durham, or alumni, or staff!

September 2021 finds us packing, unpacking, meeting old friends and new, and all with our fingers firmly crossed for a positive year!

This time last year, all the first years were locked down in their rooms, with food arriving at their doors in Styrofoam boxes, so when some girls on DS’s staircase said ‘There’s a house going on Hawthorn Terrace, do you fancy coming in with us?’, he just said ‘Yes please!’ - he only saw a video tour of the property after he’d paid his deposit!

Although I do concede that he’s more casual than most about organisation.

DS will be living on Hawthorn Terrace next year! #PartyCentral

That's pretty much it Longtime. Viaduct is more expensive as practically city centre, has always had the rep of being the place the rahs and anyone who is anyone would live. Gilesgate was more "why the hell do you want to live there?" But it's cheaper, near the big tesco and still only 20min walk to Elvet.

@Longtimenewsee My DS is a 2nd year and rents in New Elvet. He loves being in the centre of town, he’s clearly happy there and it’s very convenient. There is a ‘low down’ on the different areas they can rent in which gives the positive and negative which may be helpful to read.

@MidLifeCrisis007 He will have to learn what a snicket is!!

999caz

Where can I find the 'low down' to read about the different areas in Durham please?

So ds has already signed up to a 2nd year property with 3 mates. I think it's a bit premature but he was desperate for a double bed and an ensuite and wants me to sign as his guarantor in the next few days. He was very keen on the Viaduct and has gone for a place there. The contract is from 1st of July and includes all bills. I assume that is standard.

DS seemed concerned that properties were going to go quickly as this year is so oversubscribed. No idea if that's the case, and I am sure many have not even been advertised yet.

At least we'll be able to have a look when we visit in a couple of weeks!

And 'party central' will suit ds... I just hope he doesn't fall out with any of his housemates.

@Longtimenewsee Studentcribs gives a write up plus star value for certain indicators

Thanks @999caz.. that’s really useful
Thanks to everyone else for their thoughts also.

Many thanks 999caz I will have a look now.

Are any other old farts like me reading all this talk of en suites and thinking 'in my day...' 🤣

I'm feeling old, I can't help myself! I'd have been glad of a shower back then because Trevs was mostly baths.

I am an even older old fart. Trevs had not long opened when I came to Durham in 1970. What with its hexagonal layout and mirrors at every turn, it was very hard to get around. I think they may have removed some of the mirrors at some point since then.

It's fascinating to compare my experiences of Durham with how it is now, thanks to this thread.

Am an Aidan's Maiden btw. No mixed colleges back then.

DS was in Viaduct last year and it was party central amongst Covid restrictions. He has moved to a place right in the centre this year as he needs to focus on studying a bit more!

Can I ask the self catering lot where you shop for food if you are in the hill colleges?

Ds is in South College (although they are talking about renaming it already FFS, surely this comes when they decide what to name it, who chose South? It doesn't even fit in with any of the other college names, rant over) he says the Tesco Express (was the metro) is not that great for choice.

There is a dearth of supermarkets accessible on foot or public transport on that side of town. Probably the easiest bigger option, as the S1, or whatever it is, now, heads that way, is the big Tesco extra in dragonville - also has Aldi and Lidl. There's also a large sainsburys at the Arnison centre, along with M&S and another Lidl.

List of 5 College Preferences for 22 entry.
DS said he wants a SC college (in spite of showing no interest of cooking at home) and doesn’t want to share a bedroom. Which 5 Colleges would you choose in order of preference and experience please based on his subject choice Physics, ease of s/c cooking facilities, access to shopping and somewhere with a decent bar or good shared communal space and why? He is from a state GS in the north and would probably prefer football or basketball rather than choir or drama if that helps.

We have gone for Josephine Butler as his first choice for proximity to course, less risk of sharing a room and because the bar area sounded ok.

@Gizmo98765 pretty much opposite Josephine Butler is South (where Ds is) and John Snow, brand new buildings as of 2020. This is a video tour of Snow but South is exactly the same just with taller windows. That adds 2 more self catered colleges for you.

Ds did a detailed spreadsheet based on non-sharing (top priority) and likelihood of an en-suite after that. His order was South, Snow, Butler, Stephenson then St Mary's. Ds has lectures in the physics building, he is doing computer science though, it is an easy walk.

@PickAChew I will pass the info on to Ds re shops. Thank you. I would have thought that considering how many colleges are on the hill that when they built South/Snow and the new housing estate it would have been a prime time for a supermarket to build down that end. Even catered students are going to shop there for snacks and drinks.

Thanks any other Colleges please? Do
Snow and South have any common areas/bars & sports facilities please? Thanks

Robinsons the greengrocer do deliveries, if that's any help. Their produce is top notch.

There is a large Tesco in the marketplace.

Looking for recommendations for dog friendly self catering accommodation within easy reach of Durham? Planning to visit DS for a weekend, I've got a shortlist from the usual internet sources but you can never beat a personal experience !

Yes the Hill colleges are not great for food shopping but as others have said there is stuff in town, a Tesco in the Market Place, the fantastic Robinsons Greengrocer on North Road who also deliver, plus the indoor Market which has a butcher, fishmonger, cheese counter,various bakeries, dried goods etc and is well worth exploring. They can get most stuff there and maybe just get a bus up to the big Tesco one in a blue moon for a stock up on a few things. Plus remember what is "miles away" and takes "aaaaaaages" to get to by Durham standards is no further than the vast majority of students at other universities have to go! There isn't a big supermarket right next to all the halls of residence in Manchester etc.

@321zyx is Plawsworth on your list? Some of their cottages are pet friendly.