If you’re wondering if you made the right decision studying in Liverpool, then there is some great news. Liverpool is the perfect city for student life!
Why is that? Well, since achieving European City of Culture in 2008, Liverpool has been developing at a rapid pace and has become a hotspot for tourists, professionals and most importantly, students.
Affordability
Let’s face it, most students don’t have cash to burn. Thankfully, Liverpool is one of the cheapest cities to live in the UK.
In a study by Halifax this year, the city ranked in the top 20 most affordable cities to live and it’s not hard to see why. Compared to other major cities like London and Manchester, Liverpool is much easier on people’s wallets.
In fact, it’s also the second cheapest place to buy a pint of beer in the UK. The average price of a pint of beer in Liverpool is just £3.00. Meanwhile, in Manchester the average is about £3.93, almost a £1.00 difference. In London it gets even worse, as a pint can often set you back £5.50 or more!
Getting Around
Liverpool’s public transport is very well connected. There are frequent buses and trains that can take you to many different areas. Liverpool One Bus Station and Liverpool Lime Street Railway Station offer connections right across the city and beyond.
If you need to be somewhere fast, you can travel directly by using a black cab or hiring a private taxi. Some of the most popular affordable taxi companies are Delta, Alpha and Brittania.
Want to get around another way? Liverpool is currently home to Voi electric scooters (or e-scooters), which can be found all over the place. All you have to do is download the Voi app, add your payment details, find a scooter and scan the QR code or find it on the virtual map. Just remember, ride safely!
Bars and Clubs
Speaking of drinks, hundreds of bars and clubs have sprang up in Liverpool over the years. As mentioned previously, many of them are also kind to students’ bank accounts.
Areas that are popular with students include Concert Square, Mathew Street and Smithdown Road. Whether you enjoy casual drinks with friends or partying on the weekends, there is something for everyone. There are also a range of secret bars in the city. This includes Berry and Rye on Berry Street and The Oracle on Duke Street (but sssh, it’s a secret).
If you’re looking for somewhere cheap, Liverpool has a lot of Wetherspoon pubs. In fact, in the city centre it’s only about a five minute walk or less between each of them! They also serve cheap meals and offer unlimited hot drink refills, so you’ll never be out of pocket.
Cafés and Restaurants
The city hosts many options for coffee and dining out. There are restaurants for every kind of food you can think of, including Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Greek, Japanese and Indian cuisine. There are also a range of cafes, both independent businesses and chains, to relax with a hot drink, study and catch up with friends.
Popular coffee chains include Starbucks, Café Nero, Costa and Moose Coffee, which are spread across the city. If you want to support an independent café, Rococo, The Egg and Bold Street Coffee are all great options that are all situated in the city centre.
One of the best areas for food is Bold Street, which hosts a vast selection of restaurants with varying themes and prices. Options include AKA Sushi, Crust and Mowgli Street Food.
If you just want something quick, then there are plenty of fast food places to choose from. There are many McDonald’s restaurants in the centre, along with other chains such as KFC and Burger King. There are also plenty of independent takeaways and pizza places. If you enjoy nights out and also love pizza, Crazy Pedros on Parr Street is the place to be. They have a range of pizza flavours and specials and are open late into the night.
Live Music
It’s no secret that Liverpool is a city with a vibrant music history. After all, the most famous and celebrated band in the world, The Beatles, were born and raised here.
While we’re on the topic of The Fab Four, The Cavern Club on Mathew Street is a must visit for music fans. They host live music every day of the week, with live bands at the weekends and special concerts throughout the year and other than The Beatles, many other world famous acts such as Adele, Oasis and Queen have graced it’s walls.
If The Cavern doesn’t do it for you, there are many other live music venues scattered across the city, hosting a wide array of music. These include The Jacaranda, The Caledonia and a large assortment of pubs that frequently host live music, especially at the weekend.
If you want even bigger shows, then look no further than Liverpool’s many large music venues. The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and the Marks & Spencer Bank Arena are two of the most popular, especially for large scale music events with big name artists. In the warmer months, Liverpool also hosts vibrant outdoor music festivals in places such as Sefton Park.
Other Activities
There is so much going on in this city. There are many workshops and social meetups happening in the city all of the time. A great place to find these are on the Meetup app and social media.
There are also many attractions across the city that you can visit, including Liverpool’s many free museums, such as World Museum, Liverpool Museum, Walker Art Gallery and Tate Modern. If that’s not your thing, then a visit to the top of the Anglican Cathedral (the sixth biggest cathedral in the world), a ride on one of the famous Mersey Ferries or a trip to Cat Café Liverpool might be.
The bottom line is, if you’re a student, you can’t do better than Liverpool. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and see what the city has to offer!
