Location, Location, Location…

It can be hard to know which area to move to when choosing your first house in Leicester but the Tab are here to help with a rundown of the major housing areas.

Clarendon

A lot of people would have you imagine Clarendon Park is the glowing bastion of student housing which isn’t completely true. It’s a pretty area, close to Queens Road which is filled with middle class shops and cafes (I mean they can get away with a pun on Salvador Dali’s name).

Salvador Deli…not quite as surreal as the inspiration behind the name

Lots of little terraced houses with four and five bedrooms: many of which are ex family homes and are thus well kept and furnished nicely. The good shopping on Queens road and short walk to uni are both bonuses of living here. There’s also a decent bar scene with some live music and good beers, same goes for dining (Jones’ Bistro does a mean breakfast).

Jones’…the site of the meanest breakfast in Clarendon

One major issue is the long journey into town so you sacrifice a little for a less central location than the other areas. You may end up spending quite a bit of money on taxis for the year but anywhere is better than the social black hole that is Oadby. Just don’t get tempted by the houses further down Welford Road or towards Mary Gee as it’s a really long and depressing walk in the winter months. Houses are usually more expensive but many would argue it’s worth it. Crime does happen and as it’s a student area it’s very targeted (break ins and the like) but it’s still safe. ‘Live here if you can’ is the general consensus, but  you should keep your options open a little.

Evington

What can you say about Evington that you might not have heard already. It’s the only place I’ve seen butchers selling a whole goat (dead) or a shop that’s dedicated to selling naan bread (as far as I can tell it’s all they sell). More drug deals go down here than the Mexican border and there are constant reports of crime. But that’s not to say Evington isn’t without its charm. Having mentioned the naan shop it’s a little unfair not to say that they are FANTASTIC and the goats are pretty cheap.

It has benefits in big houses too; unlike the more desirable Clarendon area Evington is full of large Edwardian homes, particularly towards the Old Horse. You’re close to a lot of cheap shops and the city centre isn’t too hard to get to, nor is the university. You also have the benefit of living in an area that isn’t taken up by a majority of students so there’s not really any targeted crime (anything goes). I suggest you try and avoid living on the Londis side of the road or further down towards Oadby, it’s here that the rumours become reality and everything roughens up a little. One resident told The Tab: “I looked out of the window and heard men shouting and I saw one bleeding from the face”. Says it all, really.

Highfields

Where to start? I’m pretty sure the area was in the news for high levels of prostitution and the crime levels are way above average. The streets have a scent similar to that of Amsterdam’s red light district so there’s minimal effort to be made if you’re searching for some “dank nugs”. Then the houses loom over you in a strangely oppressive manner and it’s not much better inside either (my friends have a kitchen that looks like a public toilet from the 70’s).

A typical road in Highfields

It’s pretty easy to end up in Highfields if there’s a lot of you looking together as the houses are fairly monstrous and usually quite cheap but be warned; you never quite feel safe. On the plus side it’s close to town and the station: which is perfect for that quick exit you’re going to want to make once you start living in this area.  Try not to live opposite the park on Prebend Street as it’s often occupied with shady characters and just try not to go in too deep. I know a lot of people who have never had any trouble in Highfields but that isnt to say you won’t. Beware.

Other areas?

If you can get one of the houses in short supply behind the museum on New Walk then you’ve done well for location (except you’re living quite a way from everyone else). Problems here mainly stem from some strange locals, one of whom used to throw paint from their window. You are also situated right near a prison but perhaps that makes it safer. Other areas include right at the end of Welford road (no) or Brazil Street and the roads around there which happen to be dominated by DMU students…